In the days after we returned to the Heliana, finding time to make things right with Ox had been a challenge. I could barely stand to leave Storm’s End, and when I found the strength, I had to be there for my mother. It was not enough for the sentinels to sing Shirene’s praises to the citizens once everyone was safely returned to their homes. It wasn’t even enough for the king to send us a signed letter. My mother threw it in her desk drawer without even opening it.

When Ox and I finally found a moment to meet, he was way ahead of me. “I already know, Rowan. And it’s okay.”

“I’m sorry,” I told him. “I know it sounds like a lie, but I didn’t know how he felt, or how I felt, until High Summer. Everything that happened with us was real. It’s just this other feeling was real, too.”

He’d pulled me in for a hug and kissed the top of my head gruffly. “If he hurts you, you know who to call to help set his stuff on fire.”

“Ox.”

“Okay, fine. We’ll throw it in a river.”

Callen had already been gone for a week at that point. As our city grappled with the loss of the prince, the destruction of so many buildings, and the recovery of the sick children, Noam was busy advocating for the Leonodai to make a show of peace.

Shortly after our return, Noam’s mountain village had been peacefully taken over by another of the human kingdoms. Turns out that General Marchess wasn’t just at war with us, but with other humans as well. Noam’s new rulers had swept in to Marchess’s land through the mountains, claiming victory after victory. The threat of General Marchess wasn’t gone, but at least we had help keeping it at bay.

At the same time, the sentinels held public meetings where the citizens could come and listen to Noam and ask questions of the once-deserter. Callen went to every one. I went with him, but preferred to cling to the seats in the back.

“I’ve consulted the leaders of the village,” Noam had told the crowd. “And they want to strengthen our bonds of peace. I’ve asked the king to send warriors back with me. Citizens, too, if they are willing. There is much that Leonodai can learn from humans, and vice versa.”

When the call for volunteers was sent out, Sethran unexpectedly answered. Callen did, too.

“Are you sure?” I asked when he told me. We were in the grotto, faces flushed from kisses that never felt like enough to make up for lost time. It was strange to be crossing the line of friendship like this, and a part of me was still hesitant. But Callen was a light in my grief, and I held fast to it.