“I am glad to hear you speak my name outside of imminent danger,” Arin said softly, and the battle was lost. Idiot! Hanim howled. How many ways can you betray us, Essiya? It didn’t feel like betrayal. It felt like wandering through the woods for an endless night and finally stumbling into the dawn. It was the feeling I had at the sight of Mahair after hours of catching frogs by the moonlight. The rush of Hirun around me. Fairel’s giggle and the click of Rory’s cane. Anchors, real and solid, pinning me to earth. I smiled shakily. “I will make frequent use of it, then.” After a lifetime of
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