True stroked the hair from my face with his fingers, telling me, “Elena shared this is because you used much magic to douse the blaze. She has some potions you can take, rituals you can do to assist in building it again in you. And she advises you must rest. These things you will do. For although what you accomplished today saved homes and probably lives, I sense it will be important that you nurture the power within you.”

I sensed he was correct.

“You must know, you have been unconscious for some time,” he shared. “My men reported you did not hit your head when you fell from your steed, but Elena said that this is also not unusual after an effort the magnitude of which you gave today.”

“How long have I been asleep?” I asked.

“Perhaps three quarters of an hour.”

Oh my.

“I…” I trailed off, studying him before I stated quietly, “I thought you might be angry at me.”

The surge of green dimmed in his eyes, even if the pride remained in his expression, as he said, “If I had my chosen world, and I could safeguard you in it, we would be in Wodell, preparing for winter, the festivals we have then, which are joyous and heartening and break the monotony of cold, short days that seem, as time passes, like they will never end.”

He gathered me closer where he sat on the leaves in the Airenzian forest with me in his lap.

“But I do not have my chosen world, and I cannot safeguard you from all you might see, and all you might need to do. That said,” he gave me a squeeze, “knowing the beauty of your bravery and power fills me not with anger, but with pride.”

“Then now you know how, every day, I feel about you.”

The green surged in his eyes again as he curled me up at the same time he bent into me in order to take my mouth in a deep kiss.

When he ended it, I had my arms around his neck but slid one hand to his jaw.

“What was lost today?” I asked.

“No warriors, several treehomes of Nadirii that were situated close to this border, though, the sisters who lived in them were unhurt. There was some loss of life on their side, none on ours. In the end, mostly, we just have a great number more prisoners.”

His gaze went vague in a manner I called questioningly, “True?”

It took him a moment to speak his next words, and I would know why when they came.

“Two of the sorcerers at whom Silence hurled fire perished. Several others are forever maimed.”

Oh gods.

I was uncertain how Silence would cope with that.

“And…my wind?” I queried.

“The three Wallace reported you sent soaring over the treetops, darling…”

He trailed off but I pressed my fingers into his jaw and urged, “Tell me.”