He’d chosen a small escort: Darius, Rhea, and two seasoned warriors who’d seen enough to know when to keep their mouths shut and their blades ready.
“Anything?” he asked as we approached.
“Not yet,” I said. “But he’ll come.”
“You’re very sure,” Darius remarked.
Rhea snorted.
“He’s half in love and half obsessed,” she said. “Of course he’ll come.”
Lucian’s jaw twitched at that.
Jealousy skimmed the air like a low crackle.
I stepped up beside him, close enough that our shoulders almost brushed.
“I won’t move without you,” I said.
“For once,” he muttered.
We waited.
Stillness stretched.
The forest held its breath.
Then, as the last rim of sun sank and shadows lengthened, a shape detached itself from the treeline on the Nightfang side.
Kade.
He strolled into view like he’d been
