“That’s good,” she says with another sigh. She gets up and opens her arms for a hug. “Come here, Callen,” Talla says sternly, in the way all Leonodai mothers do when they want your attention.

Like any good Leonodai child, I obey. Her embrace has the strength of a hurricane, and I let it rock me for just a moment.

She lets go, but keeps both hands on my shoulders. “You’re a fine warrior, Callen. And a good soul. If it were up to me, I would welcome you as my son.” She laughs at my embarrassed look. “Oh, I’ve known you loved her since before you did, I imagine. It’s not up to me what happens next, but I’ve always thought of you like my own. I’ll keep hoping for your safe return, no matter what.” A wry smile crosses her face. “If anything, for my earring back.”

My hand flies to the stone as if it burned me. “If you—”

“No, no. Keep it,” she says, drawing me in for another hug. “Just bring it back.”

“Thank you, Talla. That means a great deal to me.”

“Your parents did you a disservice, not keeping you close.”

“It only meant that I had more time here. You always welcomed me.” Lots of children on the Heliana run amok among houses. When everyone knows everyone, it’s hard to get lost. Still, those children had parents who would check if their sons came home from playing. Mine never did.

Matron Talla reaches up on her tiptoes to kiss the top of my head. “Come home, Callen,” she says. “That is all I ask. Come home.”

10

ROWAN

The rooftop of the Warriors’ Hall glows from below, save for in one spot. At the junction where the Hall meets the palace ridge, the builders used stone instead of glass to connect the two.

It’s there that I meet up with Ox. He’s already there when I arrive, even though the ninth bell is still sounding. With his eyes fixed on the stars, I am sure he doesn’t see me approaching, but the sound of my wings gives me away.

“Hi,” he says, waiting for me to take my human form and sit down next to him before putting a muscled arm around my shoulders. He kisses my cheek. “You smell like smoke.”

“The sick kids,” I answer. “Two were from Storm’s End. They didn’t make it.”

“Oh. I’m so sorry.”

“Thanks,” I say. “I was helping my mother make sure it doesn’t spread to the other girls. They’ll all be staying at home for a while, but better to be safe.”

He smiles. “You look pretty.”

“The scent of smoke?” I say, tugging at my clothes. “That does it for you?”

“No,” Ox replies with a nudge. “Just … you. You worked hard all day, and yet you still have that light in your eyes.”