Page 86 of In Your Light

Zaq raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”

Fyn chuckled. “It’s not like that.”

“But you want it to be.”

“More than anything,” Fyn answered. “But he’s.... He’s not well. He had some kind of... episode?” Fyn made a face. “I dunno if that’s the right word, but that’s what Kellan called it. He’s the doctor. He said Hadeom’s gone inside his own mind to protect himself. I dunno. He’s been through so much, and he was getting better, but then he saw the little godlings, and he kinda lost it?” Fyn wasn’t sure if he was explaining this right. He didn’t want to tell Zaq who Hadeom actually was because Zaq would probably kidnap Fyn, thinking he was keeping him safe.

Or he’d think that Fyn had lost his mind right alongside Hadeom. By the blights, maybe Fyn had. But he couldn’t deny what he felt in his heart.

“Kellan and Sawyer both said Hadeom will be okay, he just needs time. And I’ve been playing my flute for him.”

Zaq’s eyes widened. “You have?”

“Yes.”

“Fyn, do you know what that means?”

Fyn shrugged it off. Of course he knew...

“Little Àine, one of the godlings, said he could hear me and that he was following the sound of my flute, trying to find his way back to me.”

Zaq and Eva blinked in unison. It made Fyn smile.

“One of the godlings?” Zaq asked. “Isn’t she newborn? A tiny little thing? She’s talking already?”

Fyn chuckled. “They’re not normal babies, Zaq. They don’t age like faun do. She’s part cephamorph, and they reach adulthood pretty quick. She’s also part god, remember? They’re all running around and talking like our kidlings do at three summers.”

Zaq shook his head slowly. “Wow.”

“Speaking of kidlings,” Fyn said, nudging Zaq and waggling his eyebrows at Eva. “How’s impending fatherhood treating you, Zaq? And Eva, please tell me he’s treating you well.”

She beamed as she looked up at Zaq. “He’s been amazing. He made the crib already.”

“Good,” Fyn said. “If he ever doesn’t treat you like you deserve, come let me know.”

Zaq gave Fyn a shove. “Hey, I would never.”

Fyn chuckled. “I know. But as the favourite uncle of your unborn child, it’s my duty to say these things.”

“Then again,” Zaq said. “If I ever do become complacent or take for granted the greatest gift the gods have given me, please come and remind me.”

“I absolutely will,” Fyn said. He could see how happy they were together. Especially Zaq. Fyn had never seen him so happy. “You’re so in love.”

“Well, yes, I play my flute for her,” he replied. “So let’s talk about you playing yours for... whatshisname?”

“Hadeom,” Fyn murmured.

“Playing your flute for him is a big deal, Fyn.”

“Yes,” he said. “I can’t deny how I feel about him. Not anymore. I don’t know what it will mean for us, but I need to tell him⁠—”

A shrill cry split the silent forest.

Zaq gasped and pulled Eva toward the cover of the trees, and Pax recoiled, staring up at the sky in fear. The sprites disappeared into the trees, and Bre shook her head to produce her long horns, ready to fight.

“No, wait,” Fyn called out. His heart was hammering, his pulse thumping in his ears. He knew that sound.

Could it be?