I open my mouth, then close it again. The honest answer is that, in the wake of Riley’s abrupt departure, it didn’t cross my mind to levitate Ward again. Just as I didn’t think to renew the cloaking around us—but we’d been fortunate with that, since the crowds had cleared by the time the van arrived, with no one around to see us all appear out of thin air. There had been no need to hide us afterward, not when we were so close to the tunnel entrance.

“It’s not because I’m exhausted,” I tell Kael. Fatigued, yes. A whopper of a headache from concentrating so much, yes.

But exhausted? No. I’ve felt true exhaustion before, and I’m not there yet, not incapable of Speaking. To prove my words, I say, “Hover.”

When nothing happens, Kael’s eyebrow only arches higher. “Whatever you say, princess.”

I frown at the unconscious Ward, who is still being supported by Cami and Arryn, my Spoken word having had no effect. No light flared either, which means Kael didn’t destroy my command—because there was no command to destroy.

“I’m not exhausted,” I repeat, baffled. I reconsider my physical state, but remain convinced that I’m nowhere near the point where I can’t Speak at all.

“You’ve had a big week,” Kael tells me gently. “You’ve probably just pushed yourself too far today.” He places a hand on my shoulder and leans in to whisper, “I know you want to help Ward, but he’s safe here. He can hold on a little longer until you’ve had some rest.”

I don’t want Ward to have to “hold on a little longer.” He’s already had to wait seven days for us. But … Kael is right. I must have pushed myself too hard today, even further than I realized.

Perhaps a small rest is a good idea.

“Dinner and a nap,” I allow. “A short nap. Then we free Ward. Tonight.”

Kael holds my gaze, seeing that I won’t yield on this, and gives a resigned nod.

“Glad that’s settled,” Arryn drawls. “Especially since you two seem to have forgotten that we’re here, too.”

“You could have spoken up at any time,” Kael says, nudging me aside so he can move past. He looks closely between Arryn and Cami before giving the latter a tilt of his chin, indicating that he’ll take over her position.

Cami seems shocked by his generosity—and I can’t blame her, given his usual coldness when it comes to her—but she graciously releases Ward’s shoulder as Kael takes on his weight.

“Let’s move him to one of the holding cells,” Kael says, his words directed to Arryn since neither Cami nor I know where that is.