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We were quiet for a while. “So we both came from monsters,” Theo said at last.

“Don’t make me punch you,” I muttered.

Theo smirked. “You wouldn’t.”

“Try me. I’m a delicate flower these days, haven’t you heard? I have the emotional fragility of an eggshell.”

Theo laughed. It was good to see him smiling.

“Pendragon kicked me out of our room. That’s why I’m down here swooning on this couch in the first place, you know,” I complained.

“If she did, she probably had a good reason.”

“Letter from her family. Guess that’s a good reason,” I grumbled. “But fuck that bear.”

“Hawl does seem, um, a little protective.”

“Hawl wants to murder me in my sleep. And we’re about to go camping together,” I groused. “So that’s going to be fun.”

Theo couldn’t stop laughing. I waited until he’d pulled himself together.

“So, three out of four of our parents are shitty. But at least none of them were bears. And hey, at least your mom was good, right?” Theo looked at me, as if worried he’d said something wrong.

“Yeah,” I said after a second. “She was the best.” I took a sip of kava. It was lukewarm, but I didn’t want to grab a refill and ruin the moment—again. “Look, I’ve been meaning to tell you about her.”

“Desdemona?”

I nodded. “I went to the temple. Had a little chat with High Priestess Hallowyn.”

“So your mom … she’s not in the temple?” Theo’s eyes had widened.

I shook my head. “Of course not. I was an idiot to believe she ever was. I mean, maybe she was for a while. A few days, before they sent her away.”

“Away where?” Theo’s face was pale. “Blake, is your mother dead?”

I exhaled slowly. “It’s a pretty fucked-up story. You sure you want to hear it?”

“Tell me.”

My hand tightened around the mug. “My mother didn’t just leave us to hide out in the temple like Viktor made it sound. I think she was trying to protect Aenia and me. Probably you, too. She sacrificed herself. Viktor used her to fortify the Veil. Hallowyn called her—” the words were hard to say “—a Living Relic.” I filled him in. When I was finished, Theo’s eyes were wide.

“Bloodmaiden, that’s fucked up.” He clapped a hand over his mouth. “Shit. Can we even say that word anymore?”

I shrugged. “It sure doesn’t roll off the tongue as easily as it once did.”

“We’re going to need a new curse.” I knew he was trying to lighten the mood, and I was grateful.

I glanced over at the stairs, wondering if I should go back up.

“You still thinking about Medra?”

“Still? I never stop.”

Theo’s gaze softened. “You love her.”

I wasn’t even going to bother denying it. Maybe the old Blake would have. But the new Blake was all about acknowledging his feelings. “Obviously I love her. She’s unbearable. Stubborn. Reckless. Makes friends with murderous bears. She’s a menace.” Theo was grinning. “She’s mine,” I said, the word immediately making my heart feel tight. “So yeah. I love her. She says I can’t burn the world down for her to prove it, though.”

“Stubborn girl,” Theo murmured. “So unfair for you, being a dragon and all.”