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I turn toward her. "What?" I ask.

"You are." She looks out across Varethia. "I haven't seen you like this in a while."

I consider denying it. "I think I am." The realization feels strange. Heavy. Beautiful. "I'm exhausted." I admit.

"Obviously."

"I'm terrified half the time."

"Reasonable."

"My father is here."

"Tragic."

I laugh. She smiles. "But..." I look across the village. The Academy. The mountains. The distant wards. "I'm happy."

Nyra's shoulder rests against mine. "Good." That's all. No speech. No warning. Just...Good.

We stay outside for ten minutes. Maybe fifteen. Talking about nothing important. Cassian. Classes. The fact that Professor Kaelis apparently expects us to distinguish seven separate types of dragon irritation by next Wednesday. Nyra insists there are actually nine. I threaten to leave. She laughs. And for those minutes...There are no Hollowborn. No Silent War. No 413. No Council. No strange connection beneath my ribs. No blood memories. Nothing. Just...Us. Two girls standing outside a crowded tavern on a Friday night.

When we finally return inside...Rhyven isn't seated anymore. I notice immediately. I hate that I notice immediately. The faint presence beneath my ribs remains. Distant. Moving. Probably patrol. I don't ask.

Curfew approaches too quickly. The Place empties reluctantly. Students pour into the streets. Laughing. Complaining. Carrying food they definitely didn't pay for. Nyra included. "Did you steal that?" I ask.

She hugs the wrapped pastry to her chest. "Prove it." Cassian has one arm thrown over Caelen's shoulders. Caelen looks deeply unhappy about this arrangement. "I love you." Cassian informs him.

"I know." Caelen answers.

"You're beautiful."

"I know."

"Your sister is terrifying."

"I know."

I look at Nyra. "Should I be offended?"

She smiles. "No."

Behind us the other Chiefs walk together. Dax's voice carries through the street. Maelis tells him to shut up. Soren laughs. And somewhere among them...Rhyven. He reappeared right before we came outside. I don't turn. I don't need to. I can feel him. Faint. Warm. There.

We reach the path separating the village from the Academy grounds. I look back once. The Place glows against the darkness. Golden windows. Music still faintly audible. Students lingering outside despite approaching curfew. Someone waves from the doorway. Jonas. The third-year from earlier. He raises a glass. "Goodnight, Vaelith!"

I laugh. "Goodnight!"

He disappears back inside. I turn toward the Academy. And keep walking. For the first time all week Varethia doesn't feel like a fortress. It doesn't feel like a battlefield waiting to happen. It doesn't feel like something we're desperately trying to protect. Tonight It simply feels like home.

Chapter Thirty-one

Cassian is dying. Not literally. Unfortunately for the rest of us, he seems determined to make the distinction difficult. He is sitting across from me at breakfast with his forehead resting against the wooden table, one hand wrapped around a cup of coffee he hasn't touched. Nyra places a piece of toast beside his head. "Eat."

"No." He groans.

"Eat."

"I've made peace with death."