‘Retreat. See? You’ve gone back to the start. Circle is just that, a circle,’ and he drew on Dakto’s inner arm. He showed him a few more, making the Xenti close his eyes to really understand the feel of the instructions.

‘Good,’ he said a few minutes later. ‘Of course, we’ll have to practise, but—’

‘Let me try,’ Dakto interrupted and Lilla obediently extended his arm and closed his eyes. Dakto’s fingers were gentle on his arm and then his fingernail scratched a crossed arrow.

‘Don’t go that way,’ Lilla said, pointing and grinning. Dakto let out an annoyed huff and drew another sign. Lilla frowned. ‘Again.’ The sign again, lighter this time, even harder to read. He started to open his eyes when Dakto’s lips touched his, soft and hot and faintly salty. He sucked in a surprised breath and jerked away, his eyes flying open. ‘Dakto,’ he breathed.

Confusion flitted across his features. ‘But I thought …’

Lilla pulled his arm out of the man’s grip, embarrassment flaring hot. Had he missed the signs? Had there even been any signs? He didn’t think so. ‘No. I’m sorry if I led you to believe … but no. You know I’m married.’ He stood up, wiping flakes of bark from the seat of his kilt, flustered.

Dakto scrambled to his feet, too. ‘We’re going to war,’ he said in a low voice, his hand on Lilla’s arm to stay him. ‘We could die. Tayan might never come back from the Singing City.’

Lilla managed a small, pained smile. ‘I know.’ Dakto leant forward again, but Lilla put his hand on his chest, firm. ‘I know all that. And yet I am married. I’m sorry, my friend, but that’s all we can be. There are enough warriors around you who are free, though. Both Lutek and Tiamoko, for two. I could—’

‘I don’t want Lutek or Tiamoko,’ Dakto said and there was such despondency in his tone that Lilla almost felt guilty. ‘Forgive me, Fang, I have misread … everything. It won’t happen again.’ He moved to the other side of the clearing and stood there with his head bowed, ignoring the quiet industry as the camp was prepared.

For an instant, Lilla was tempted to call Dakto back and apologise again, but didn’t. Doing so would only give the man fresh hope and there was none to be had.

Tayan’s quick mouth and lively eyes flashed across Lilla’s mind, and his absence was suddenly sharper than obsidian. The words Lilla had spoken at their parting came back to him: ‘You’re taking my heart with you. Make sure you bring it back.’ And Tayan’s reply, whispered against his mouth as he stretched up for a final kiss: ‘I leave mine here, my love. Look after it.’

‘I will,’ he promised quietly. ‘Always.’

XESSA

Sky City, Malel, Tokoban