Taking her blanket from her pack, she spread it over the stained and lumpy cushion before lying down. Rendor joined her. This was one of the few times they spent together in relative privacy—not that they could do anything other than talk quietly and sleep.

“I don’t think I’ll be able to take fifty more sun jumps of this,” she said, snuggling close, breathing in Rendor’s unique spicy scent.

“This?” He squeezed her tight for a moment.

“No. The endless sameness sun jump after sun jump for the last twenty jumps.”

“Traveling the world not as glamorous as you’d hoped? Or is it the lack of rebellions to lead? I could ask if the others want to overthrow Lota and her husband to generate some excitement,” he teased.

“All right, you made your point. I just…” She searched her emotions.

“You just want to be there.”

“Yes! The wait is killing me. Why couldn’t the King say why he wished to see me?”

“It could be standard procedure when there’s a change in leadership. Maybe he wants to get the details from a reliable source. Or to thank you for your help.”

“Or to arrest me for murder.”

“Ah. Tell me again how many people you personally killed?”

None, and he knew it. “You know what I mean. They died because of me.”

“No, they died because the Heliacal Priestess set off gas explosions.”

“Because she wanted me.”

“She wanted The Eyes of Tamburah. It didn’t matter whose eye sockets they were in, she was going after them regardless. You have to stop blaming yourself.”

Except if it hadn’t been for her, Ximen, Elek, and Lian wouldn’t have been on level ninety-seven when part of it collapsed, killing them.

Rendor must have sensed the direction of her thoughts. “You’re not going to be arrested.”

“And if I am?”

“Then I’ll rescue you.”

She smiled at his confident tone. “What if I’m guarded by one of the King’s elite squads?”

He huffed in derision. “I’ll still rescue you. Just might take me a few more angles.”

“Their fighting skills are legendary. They can’t be beat.”

“Everyone can be beat, sunbeam. And I would be highly motivated.” His words hummed in the air like a promise.

No doubt the big brute would try. She gave Rendor a quick kiss. “Thanks.”

His voice dropped to a husky whisper. “Thank me again when we’re alone.”

She nibbled on his ear before saying, “That’ll be in fifty more sun jumps.”

He groaned.

“Do you still think it’s not that long?”

“Can’t talk. I’m sleeping.”

She’d punch him, but she’d end up just hurting her knuckles.