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I’d have been fine if she hadn’t nuzzled back into my side, throwing an arm across my chest. I pressed my eyes closed, my body tensing as she continued to wriggle closer.

“Nyah,” I rasped, “If you don’t stop that⁠—”

“Gods, I’m sorry!” she scooted away, clutching the furs above her chest, blue-green eyes wide. “I wasn’t thinking. I was just cold, and it’s so nice to have you so…close.”

A frustrated rumble erupted from deep in my chest as I turned my attention back to the slowly melting icicles above.

“You’re killing me,” I said.

“I’ve missed you so much,” she whispered.

I swallowed thickly.

“I need you, Rivven. It’s not just the want, it’s the knowing you’re real, and we’re both here. Alive.”

I understood all too well. I needed her too. More than she could imagine. “Your sister,” I croaked.

“I know,” she agreed, nodding. “I appreciate it. I just…how far is too far? I would be happy just being in your arms.”

I pulled back as she reached for me, desperation on her face that matched what I felt. “Nye,” I warned. “I am no godsdamned golden knight of the old days. I don’t trust myself with you so close, and...” I pointedly gazed toward her bare skin where she still clutched the fur, indicating our lack of clothing.

She stilled, save for her chest heaving with heavy breath. We stared at each other. I was afraid to fucking move lest I give in and ravage her. So, we stayed there, locked in a silent battle of will until someone cleared their throat from the entrance to the small cave.

We turned in unison. Torvo’s imposing form stood, bathed in shadow and blocking the bright moonlight behind him. Something about his stance made my hand creep toward my sword where I kept it nearby.

“I am sorry to interrupt.” His clipped words pointed to the exact opposite of his statement. “But I believe we may have an issue.”

“An issue?” Nyah asked, seemingly unaware of the change in his energy. She pulled away from me and stood, still clutching the furs, which she worked on wrapping around herself.

“I…contacted Rune,” Torvo answered, stepping further into the small space. His head was mere inches from the ceiling.

I got up as well, pulling on a pair of leather pants and securing my sword as casually as possible despite not bothering with a shirt. If the man judged our current state as crossing the line, I’d be ready, even though I’d done my damnedest to be respectful of this insane situation.

Torvo kept his eyes purposely on Nye as he came further inside. I gestured to my right, making the fire from the earlier evening roar back to life.

“You went inside my head?” Nyah asked, and I didn’t like the sound of that.

Torvo nodded, eyes fixed on her. “The way I contacted you when you were prisoner in there.”

“Leuruna is not a prisoner,” I reminded him. “She made the decision to retreat and leave us to fend for ourselves.”

Torvo’s gaze traveled to me, and I met it. He’d have to get used to my doubts when it came to his lover because I wasn’t going to stay quiet when she could threaten our already precarious situation. I’d fought larger threats than him before and come out on top.

“She didn’t leave us,” Nyah said, gaining both our attention. “She put me in charge because she thinks I can handle the stress of this danger better. I know her. It’s okay.” She put a hand on Torvo. “She does this. She’ll come back to us.”

Torvo softened slightly, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed. “I should have left it alone. But I needed to see her.”

That need, I understood. Gods, how I wished I could have spoken to Nyah at will. I envied him his magic.

“What happened?” Nyah asked softly, hand stroking his right biceps in a calming motion.

Torvo’s shoulders drooped. “She was fine at first. But when she realized I’d visited you in her dreams, she became…upset.”

Nyah’s hand stilled. “Upset how?”

“I’ve never seen her angry before,” Torvo answered. “She flew into a rage, and when I tried to diffuse the situation and explain, she woke you up to force me to leave.”

Nyah and I exchanged a look. So that was why she’d woken so suddenly. How long had Torvo been standing at the door of the cave, exactly?