“You’re not crazy,” Kalen was firm. “But I don’t think asha are supposed to be in contact with those creatures for prolonged durations, especially when they’re in your head. I don’t know how Sakmeet managed it. It seemed to prolong her life, but given the manner in which she died, out there in the snow with no protection…it worries me. I don’t know what Althy or Mykaela are going to decide, but I think they’re going to ask you to disengage from the daeva, Tea, no matter how fond it is of you or you of it. It’s too risky, and this is still unknown territory.”

“I’m not going to kill it,” I was quick to argue, though he made sense. “The azi has hidden itself from us all these years, and the only reason it started attacking Kion was because of Aenah’s control. I know it won’t harm anyone else, even without me in charge.”

“But what if someone else gets ahold of it? Druj is still out there, and I don’t know how many more followers Aenah and Usij have left.”

“I hate it when you’re right.” I paused, surprised at how sad I felt. The azi had stopped feeling like a weapon to wield a long time ago. I knew it was inevitable, but… “If you think it’s for the best.”

He smiled at me. “In another life, you would be fighting me tooth and nail.”

“I’m blaming you and this blasted rune.” My heartsglass was clear again this morning, but I no longer trusted its hue. “And I’m going to tell Fox too. About the black in my heartsglass.”

He nodded. “I was wondering when you would.”

“He’s with Inessa. I didn’t want to put him in the middle.” I took a deep breath. “But that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t tell him when we return.”

“I should cast this spell more often,” he teased. “You’re adorable when you’re mad, but you’re even more so when you agree with me.”

I took his hand and pressed it against my lips. “What if that’s not enough?” I whispered. “What if something else is making me do this?”

“Then we’ll push it out, eradicate it. There are many people back home wanting to help you.” He smiled. “And I won’t make the same mistake I did last night. I’m sticking close to you for the long term.”

“How awful,” I said, tugging his head down into a kiss.

• • •

The Calming rune was enough to keep me placid when it came time to kill poor Garindor’s assistant. King Rendorvik had tried to convince the old man not to attend, but the latter was adamant. “Yarrod’s a good lad and a hard worker. The least I can do is to be there for him till the very end.”