When we’re both fully dressed, Thorne says, almost shyly, “We may need to make a few stops before we discuss things with Admon.” I raise an eyebrow. “Well, first, we have to tell Silene and Fionn that we’re back, otherwise they’ll be barging back here to pick me up. Silene aerstepped me here.” I realize I hadn’t asked how he’d gotten here, simply accepted his presence as if he belonged at my side. “And for Silene to aerstep me here, we had to break into your rooms to get thayar elixir for her. Which would have been completely fine, except Carex was there, and he found us out and tried to fight us. Well, he tried to fight Fionn, actually, and you can probably guess how that went…” Thorne trails off, finishing his rambling. He’s flustered, and I like it, but I pretend to be exasperated.

“What happened?” I ask with a groan.

“We just knocked him out.” When my eyes widen, Thorne continues. “He’s just unconscious. He’s fine. Probably. But we should check on him, especially since we left him in the room with your terrifying cat, and she didn’t seem to like him very much.”

“Lunaria has never liked Carex,” I say, remembering the way she would hiss at him every time he was near me. We had to meet at his townhouse in the city to avoid her for any sleepovers.

“She has good taste, then,” Thorne says smugly and with the barest hint of jealously that I can finally admit gives me a feeling of satisfaction.

“Are you ready for this?” I ask him softly. My eyes convey the real questions I’m not capable of speaking aloud. Are you ready to have to explain to people why we think we have a connection only told in myths? Are you ready for everything this might entail? Thorne takes the hand he’s been delicately cradling, then turns it so he can weave his fingers through mine.

“I’m ready.” His voice is full of unspoken meaning, confidence in whatever the future may bring. I wish I had his same surety. I only nod. Then I take a deep inhale, filling my nose with his calming scent, and aerstep us into the Velmaran apartment.

Fionn and Silene jump when we arrive. Shoulders hunched, hands clasping and unclasping, their body language gives away their nerves. Silene crosses the room quickly, wrapping me into a tight hug as she sobs into me.