I rose, joining him at the workbench. My arm brushed his, and this close, I remembered the thrill of the night Res had hatched. The night Caylus and I had kissed.

He slid his hand over, and I met it with mine, our fingers interlacing. His skin was rough, lined with so many scars. Tilting his head forward, his deep green eyes met mine, the stray auburn curls dipping above them turning nearly red in the sunlight.

“If you…you know…if you still—” He bit his lip, and my fingers twitched. I longed to touch his lips, to trail my fingers along the line of his jaw. “I know about your engagement, and I know it’s not what you want, and I’m okay with this if you are, and—” He stopped again.

“If you still want me to go with you, I will,” he said unwaveringly.

Without hesitation, I replied, “I do.” And kissed him.

For one perfect moment, it was just my lips against his. It was sweet, safe silence, and a promise of something better.

Then Gio yowled as my shoulder pressed into Caylus’s, catching the cat’s tail, and Res let out a demanding caw, the cord between us tugging.

I laughed against Caylus’s lips and felt him smile back. I pulled away, but he captured my face in his hands, their broad expanse forming a gentle cocoon. Heat fluttered through me, my body waking up bit by bit like a fire sparking to life. By the time we pulled apart, my throat was raw and my lungs burned for air.

Caylus’s hands slid away, and I captured one in my own, smiling as Res nudged me again. I tossed him a piece of chicken from the pouch, and he snatched it out of the air with the dexterity of a hunter.

Physically, he looked perfect. He was bigger than I’d expected him to be, even for a male crow of his age. Full-grown, he’d be massive.

But his size wouldn’t be enough.

“I don’t understand,” I said, watching as he hopped over to his water bowl to drink. “He should be showing signs of magic by now. I’ve never heard of a crow taking this long before. What if something’s wrong with him? What if Ronoch damaged him somehow?”

“Whatever it is, I’m sure there’s a reasonable explanation,” Caylus replied.

I snorted. “You would say that. But this is magic, not science. Who knows what the rules are?”

“We’ll figure it out.” Caylus squeezed my hand.

“I hope so. For all our sakes.”

Twenty-Four