“When you spend a lot of time alone… moving from place to place,” I murmur, letting my fingers drift down the unicorn’s silken back, the motion steadying me, “you notice things. Learn things. Beats staring at walls all day.”
It’s also better than waiting to be captured or killed.
Ronan’s eyes linger on me, scanning, like he’s seeing pieces of me I hadn’t meant to show. Then a crooked grin spreads across his face.
“You’re incredible, you know that? Drives me insane sometimes… but yeah. You’re incredible.”
Would he still think that if he truly knew me?
He shifts closer without breaking eye contact, my hand hovers near his chest, and I can feel the steady beat of his heart.
“You really think so?” I tease softly, though my voice betrays me, catching just slightly.
“Absolutely.”
His hand cups my cheek, thumb brushing gently against my skin. “Pretty sure I’m screwed for life when it comes to you.”
“Are you complaining?” I loop my arms around his neck, letting the warmth of the sun—and him—ground me in this rare moment of peace.
“Never, Cherry.” His nose brushes against mine.
He’s silent for a moment. “I heard you and Kieran.”
I trail my fingers over the short hairs at the nape of his neck. “And what exactly did you hear?”
His touch slides down my sides, settling on my hips with that easy, possessive confidence. “Pretty much everything.”
I am not surprised that he was listening.
“Eavesdropping again? No wonder you and Malrik get along so well,” I tease.
“Hey,” he pinches my side, making me squeal. “We are nothing alike.”
My hands wander over his strong shoulders, feeling the hard planes of his chest beneath my palms. “Well… you two do work pretty well together.”
The memory of all three of us together is something I will never forget.
He chuckles, then kisses my nose. “No changing the subject… but yeah, that… that was pretty fucking amazing.”
I glance away, Kieran's voice still echoing in my head like a ghost I can't shake. “We talked, okay? It got heated. He said his piece, I said mine. That's it.” I try to pull back, but Ronan's grip on my hips tightens, dragging me closer, refusing to let me run.
“Kieran’s complicated. He had a hard time growing up… but Cherry, just be patient with him.”
I press a gentle kiss to his lips, a promise more than a comfort. “I will. I won't give up that easily.” I force a smile, even though Kieran’s words are still carved into me like fresh wounds. He’s meant them to push me away, I know that—but it doesn’t make them sting any less.
Ronan's hands linger on my waist like he’s reluctant to let go. Then, with a sigh, he steps back, digging into his pocket.
“Malrik wanted me to give you this. That's why I came looking for you.”
When his hand emerges, the sun catches on the chain, a deep red stone dangling from it like a captured star.
“He figured it mattered—and judging by your face, he was right.” He presses the stone into my outstretched hand, histouch lingering for just a second longer. My fingers curl around it, and relief floods me—like the air finally breaking free in my lungs. With this stone, Vespera can’t kill Xarothar.
“When?”
“Apparently,” Ronan continues, eyes crinkling as he talks, “he swiped it the same night you saved me and Kieran. Planned on keeping it, maybe selling it off, but the second you mentioned Vespera and how she killed those dragons—he knew it was worth more in your hands than his pockets.” He rambles on, and I can’t help it—my lips curve into a grin.
“Well, looks like the crazy one is useful after all,”Xarothar grumbles in my mind, though the bond thrums with his relief, warm and fierce.
