The hug is quick, but after the kiss we shared at Luna Park, it takes some effort to keep from feeling strange about it. To not make it seem like anything more. I squeeze Kael’s forearm as I move away, giving him a friendly smile in the hope that he’ll understand my intentions aren’t romantically inclined.

“What, no kiss this time? Disappointing.”

I freeze as blood rushes to my face. I shoot him a what the hell look, and find a wide, teasing grin on his face. Jet is peering curiously at the two of us, Dante is shuffling his feet, his broad shoulders shaking with mirth. Arryn taps her foot, impatient for us to leave, but Cami is staring at me with a shocked expression.

It’s clear from the look in Kael’s eyes that he’s deliberately goading me, so I calm my pulse and somehow manage to deadpan, “What’s disappointing is that there was a last time. And believe me, it was the last time.”

He laughs and winks at me, his earlier concern now vanished. “Whatever you say, princess.”

“Can you two save the flirting for later?” Arryn says, an edge to her voice. Before I can argue that we’re not, she adds, “I’m going to bring my breakfast back up.”

“You didn’t have breakfast,” Jet says.

“Yesterday’s breakfast,” Arryn says. Under her breath, she adds, “And every breakfast I’ve ever eaten.”

My embarrassment disappears and I press my lips together to keep from smiling as Arryn gives Dante a light, friendly punch on his bare arm—apparently her version of farewell— and walks away.

“Guess we’ll see you all later,” I say, before hurrying alongside Cami to catch up with our impatient guide.

“Lyss,” Kael calls out. I look over my shoulder but don’t stop walking as he repeats what he said earlier, but with more emphasis this time. “Be careful.”

I don’t say anything, but I do raise my fingers and salute him—almost mockingly, I’ll admit—before turning back around and shaking my head at his overprotectiveness. Just because I understand doesn’t mean I don’t find it stifling. I’ll try to be as compassionate as I can, help tease him out of his worried moods when needed, but he needs to accept that our situation with both Lengard and the new Speaker group is uncertain and dangerous. And with that acceptance, he needs to remember one important thing:

I’m dangerous, too.

Last night, I made mistakes. But I also kicked ass. I can admit that now. We might not have succeeded in our mission, but I used my ability in ways I never have before. And while, at times, I struggled, it was also … liberating. Not once did I feel like a monster, not once did I feel like my power was the enemy.