Wren's POV
I find Rhydian on the wall again two nights later, in the same spot where everything between us started cracking open, and this time neither of us brings up the Hollow Rot or the council or anything that might turn the evening into another argument. We just stood there for a while, watching the stars come out over land that was slowly, painstakingly, beginning to look a shade less gray than it did a month ago, a change so small I'd have missed it if Corwin hadn't pointed it out to me that afternoon, practically giddy with a kind of hope I don't think he's let himself feel in a long time.
"He thinks the training's already helping," I say. "Corwin. Even that one small flame."
"He mentioned it." Rhydian's mouth curves, something close to real warmth in it. "He hasn't stopped tal
