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Reaching for the stray curl that had fallen across her cheek, I tucked it gently behind her ear. “I just wanted to say goodbye before we head out,” I murmured. “I don’t know how long we’ll be gone, or when I’ll see you next. But I will be back as soon as I can.”

A faint frown tugged at my lips. I tried to hold it together.

This wasn’t a goodbye. Tt was only a see you later.

Her smile faltered for a moment. She reached up, fingers guiding my chin upward, I hadn’t even realized I’d dropped my gaze. When our eyes met again, she gave me the warmest smile she could muster. “I’ll be right here in this godforsaken bed, waiting for you, son,” she said softly. “Just try to bring your father back in one piece for me.” She cupped the back of my head, gently pulling me in to kiss my forehead.

“I’ll try,” I whispered, voice uncertain. “He’s made it hard... but that doesn’t mean I’ve given up faith in him yet.” If he could prove he was capable of change, it would mean everything. It would be the redemption he desperately needed. I wanted to believe in him, like my mother still did. But deep down, I knew: if someone is capable of doing something once... they’re capable of doing it again.

I didn’t want to find out what his twice would be.

But for my mother, and for the place he still held in my heart, I had to at least try.

“Valentina,” my mother said, her gaze shifting to the small figure at my side. I looked over too, giving Val’s hand a soft squeeze. “You stay safe as well,” my mother continued, voice full of warmth. “And keep my boy on his toes. You’re good for him.”

Valentina smiled, wide, genuine, the kind of smile that touched her eyes with a sparkle. “Of course. He’s such a handful, but I think I manage him pretty well,” she teased, her eyes flicking to mine. Then her voice softened again as she turned back to my mother. “I wanted to wish you well before we left. I hope it’s not too long before we see each other again. If you need anything at all, just have Arianna come to the palace. We’ll send whatever, whenever.” She rested a hand gently on my mother’s hip, her gaze full of sincerity and care.

Just then, the door creaked open behind us with a quiet squeak. We turned as Kleitos stepped in, his golden curls catching the light. He offered a bright, easy smile, but his eyes locked instantly on one person.

Martha.

They both froze for a heartbeat, drinking each other in. His smile faded into something softer, deeper. My mother’s hand moved slowly to her chest as she stared at him, emotion written across her face in a way I couldn’t read. Or maybe... I didn’t want to read it.

Rising to my feet, I tugged Valentina up with me, intentionally stepping between them. “Yes, we’re ready,” I said, turning toward him. “Just finished up in here.” I kept Valentina close as we stepped forward, my body placing a boundary between the two of them.

His eyes looked disappointed as his line of sight to my mother was blocked, and I’d be lying if I said it didn’t bring me a little satisfaction. But the look didn’t last long. He masked it with a cool smile, as I narrowed my eyes at him with suspicion. “Then let’s get on the road, you two,” he said, voice breezy. “It’s a long journey ahead. We’ll need to travel around the fires, so it’s best if you get some rest. Might as well start practicing sleeping through the day. We need to get your internal clocks working right.”

I nodded, conceding. He wasn’t wrong, it was time I started adjusting to their strange customs. I still didn’t quite get it. Why sleep during the day when we didn’t live among humans anymore? The sun didn’t burn, it just stung your eyes a little, and even that passed quickly. But if it was their way, it had to become mine too.

Valentina guided us toward the door. Kleitos stepped in fully now, lingering behind us. And just as we crossed the threshold, I heard the door shut behind us, his hand pulling it closed. He’d stayed with her.

I opened my mouth to protest, but something in my gut told me to let it go. To just keep walking beside Valentina. So I did. She led us back to the living room, where Arianna and Bomani waited. They rose as we entered. No fanfare, no over-the-top goodbyes. Just a casual nod from Arianna and a raised brow from Bomani.

“We’ll be seeing you soon,” Arianna said, arms crossing casually. “Don’t go missing us too much.” That one sentence sent a calm feeling over me I didn’t realize I needed. I wouldn’t have to go weeks without seeing Martha after all. She’d be safe here—with people who understood what she was and how to protect her.

And that was enough for now.

I’d been exhausted anyway, and a nap on the road sounded like a lush retreat whispering my name. A yawn slipped from my lips as I rolled my neck, trying to stretch the sleep from my limbs. Valentina smiled at the gesture, soft, knowing. The kind of smile that soothed the heart like a lullaby.

We said our final goodbyes once Kleitos reappeared from the back room. He didn’t say a word, but his expression said enough. Frustration carved deep into his features, his jaw tight, his eyes distant. He walked past Arianna and Bomani without a glance. We followed him out to the back of Arianna’s home, where the carriage was already being brought around. It was hers, the same one I’d ridden in before. Lord Draco’s was still parked from our arrival, but we wouldn’t be taking his this time.

If I was honest, I preferred Arianna’s. There were no rigid seats, just a bed of wood and hay, warm and soft and perfect for napping. It wasn’t formal or noble. It was better. Something secret. Something just for us. A place where I could hold Valentina in my arms without shame, wrapped in that stolen comfort. Kleitos stopped the carriage directly in front of us, giving us an easy entrance. I opened the back doors and reached for Valentina’s hand. She took it without hesitation, steadying herself as she climbed inside.

Once I joined her, I shut the doors behind us.

She was still standing, adjusting her balance when I slid into the corner of the carriage, leaning my back against the wall. I held out my hand again. She laced her fingers through mine, and I gently pulled her down, easing her to her knees first, then guiding her around until her back rested against my chest.

As she leaned into me, a delicious tension lingered between our bodies. Her head nestled against my chest, searching for the most comfortable spot. Her breath was steady, and her aura, the energy around her that I had come to read so clearly, was the calmest it had been in days.

“You sleepy?” I whispered, my breath brushing against the shell of her ear. One hand rose to cradle the side of her head, my fingers diving gently into her snow-white curls. I massaged her scalp in slow, soothing circles. She’d had a harder night than I did. No true rest. Just one moment of chaos after the other. She deserved peace now.

“Yes,” she murmured, her voice soft, edged with a shiver. “I’m a little tired.”

“Want me to help you relax?” I offered gently. “You’ve been up all night.” My hands moved from her waist and her hair, tracing up her arms before settling on her shoulders. I worked slowly, pressing my thumbs into the knots I felt along her back, massaging them with practiced care.

A quiet moan slipped from her lips, barely audible, but it reached me. Her body softened even more against mine, her tension melting away. “That feels so good,” she breathed, so low it almost disappeared into the air.

“Good,” I murmured, lips brushing the curve of her neck. “Just relax... let me take care of you.” Pressing a kiss to the tender skin beneath her jaw, I let my teeth graze lightly over the spot in a teasing touch. The mark on my chest coiled beneath my skin, sending subtle signals down to my core. It was like it wanted more, willing me to take this further than I had planned. My intentions may have been innocent enough, but whatever lay beneath the surface had other ideas. I wasn’t mad at the thought, either. There was something about the idea of feeling her a little more fully… a little more delicately… that stirred something deep within me.