I sighed, leaning back in my chair and looking at my leather gloves. “He saw us, Kiva. In the courtyard. He could have called the guards, but he didn’t. He let us go.”

And I’d left him behind.

She frowned. “He made his choice.”

I nodded slowly but without conviction. I’d been honest with Ericen when I said I didn’t have feelings for him, but somehow, he’d become my friend, even if that wasn’t what he wanted. I’d told myself he was too consumed by his desire to prove himself, that he couldn’t extricate himself from the web of pride, loneliness, and need he’d woven around himself.

But in the end, he’d chosen me.

“At least he wasn’t secretly a knife-wielding assassin.” Kiva’s tone was flippant, but she didn’t look at me, and I could hear the truth behind it.

“Auma had to keep her cover.”

Kiva shrugged. “I always knew I didn’t really have any idea who she was. Saints, I liked the mystery. I just…” She trailed off, and we sat in silence for a minute before she asked quietly, “Do you think she made it out?”

“Yes.” If I’d learned anything about Auma, it was not to underestimate her.

Kiva nodded. She thought so too, but the hard press of her lips betrayed her worry.

The door opened, and Luan entered, ushering me out so Kiva could rest. I hugged Kiva gently, then stepped out into the hallway and traced my way back to the top deck with Res on my heel, thinking about everything we needed to accomplish.

Illucia was after us, Kiva was recovering from a serious wound, I had a hatchling to raise, and Caliza didn’t know any of it. Not to mention in a few weeks, I’d have to convince the world’s leaders to go to war.

I expected to be overwhelmed by everything, to want to crawl under the covers of a warm bed and hide from the world. I didn’t.

Instead, as I stepped out into the morning sun with Res at my side, I felt a familiar lightness, like a forgotten friend. It was the feeling I used to get when I’d fly, as if I’d become the air itself.

Light. In control.

Free.

That heavy feeling might never fully leave me, but I could live with it. I’d survived, and I would continue to survive.

I stepped up to the ship’s edge, one hand on Res’s head as I faced the rising sun, my skin glowing in the light.

I had a lot to do, but I was ready.

The World of the Storm Crow

Wings of Aris

The Thereal Wing

Saint: Edair Thereal

Crow: wind crow

Egg: creamy white

Head of House: Lady Dovelin Thereal