On that night, as the early evening descended, she decided to go visit Delta. The air in Delta’s room was thick with burning chaewood, the healing smoke clinging to the fabric of the chair where Bri sat. Vials covered in Cole’s scribbled handwriting dotted the bedside table. Delta propped herself up against her pillow. Her eyes seemed clearer, her mind sharper than it had been when Bri arrived.

Bri nodded to the flowers in the vase beside the bed. “These are beautiful,” she said, trying to make light conversation and failing miserably.

“From Tem,” Delta said with a smirk. Bri frowned at the purple flowers crushed at the bottom of the bouquet. “He’s not much of a florist, but it was thoughtful.”

Bri chuckled. “I’m surprised he sent something as simple as white and purple wildflowers, seeing how grand the Wystrons’ manor is.”

“That place is such an eyesore. And the food . . .” Delta grinned as Bri pretended to gag. “I hope I won’t be invited to dine for some time.” She gestured to her sleeve, knotted at the elbow. “I’ll use what I can.”

Bri snorted. “You’ll be using that excuse to escape a dinner even when you’re in the midst of battle again.” She glanced at the sword leaning against the bed frame. “Speaking of thoughtful gifts.”

“She made me promise not to try to train with it until next week,” Delta said, her eyes scanning the beautiful, narrow weapon, viciously sharp and featherlight.

Bri arched her brow. “But you have, haven’t you?”

“Of course I have.” Delta laughed. “It’s good. The weight. The balance. It’ll take some time and getting used to . . . but don’t count me out just yet.”

“Never.” Bri leaned back in her chair. “You could be tied up and blindfolded and I’d still bet on you, friend.”

Delta’s cheeks dimpled. “ ‘Friend’?”

“Yes,” Bri said, folding her arms.

“I’m glad.” Delta leaned her head back against the headboard.

The word had come tumbling out of Bri’s mouth. Even as she said it, she realized that’s what things between her and Delta felt like now. There wasn’t any fire in her, no spark of yearning that made her want to throw herself at Delta. There was no urge to feel the brush of her lips . . . but that burning feeling was far from gone, replaced by another face in her mind.

She let out a long breath through her nose, trying to push the image away of Lina’s softly sleeping face—a face that only Bri got to see.

“Where’s Saika?” Bri asked, desperately trying to move her thoughts away from the images crowding her mind.

“Visiting her family in town,” Delta said. “She should be back soon.”

“I should be going.” Bri rose from her chair, stretching her arms. “You’ll be all right?”