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Lunara looked up and found Brand’s gaze absolutely riveted on the berries, a haunted look in his hazel eyes. The temptation to ask about it, to pry and coax until he gave in and spoke to her, was nigh unbearable.

No. Leave him be. He’s been through enough.

She picked up a curl, tangling it around her fingers. “I was thinking, since this seems to have worked, that we could establish a system. A routine. I can put up the, um, shield at night, but I see no need for it during the day. With everyone up and about, it should be safe enough for you to be outside of it.”

“You can call it what it is, Lunara.” Brand’s voice was so quiet, pained. “It’s a cage, and rightly so.”

“No, that’s not—” She slumped. “Alright, it is, but only for your own protection. You’re not a prisoner. I hoped it would help keep you here. Present and aware. In control.”

“And if I have another episode outside of it?”

“Then we’ll deal with it. Just as we have been.”

A muscle ticked in his jaw. “Perhaps it’s better if I stay inside. The others… You…” His lids slid closed. “Perhaps it’s better.”

“Hush, you wee shite.” Magnus chucked a stem at him. “It’s not better for you, and that’s what we’re talking about.”

“He’s right, twig dick,” Fern said around a mouthful. “Don’t worry, I keep my promises. I won’t let you try to murder your own mate again. You’ll be alright.”

How she was able to be so crass and so supportive at the same time was beyond Lunara.

Moving on.

“I’m sorry to ask, but were you in any pain, Brand? From the…cage, I mean.” Shitting stars, she hated the word. “If it made you too uncomfortable, I can try to tweak it. Or think of something else.”

“No. Aside from being surprised at the sight, I felt nothing,” Brand murmured. “In fact, if anything, I think I’m clearer than I’ve been in a long time.” He glanced over at her, so quickly she almost missed it.

“Good. That’s…good.”

And interesting.

Bleeding exciting, more like.

“Are you well?” he asked. “I didn’t… You aren’t hurt?”

Damn it. “I’m perfectly fine. Nothing to worry about.” Even she heard the false note in her voice. The strain.

Magnus crossed his arms, accusatory eyes dropping to her chest.

Good luck, Wolflord.

She made damned sure to cover up, as usual. No way was she letting Brand see the scars anytime soon.

You’ll have to get over it sooner than later, though. The high collar on this thing is straight dragon shite.

Too true. On the off chance Lunara wasn’t being strangled by their circumstances, she was still being choked at all hours by her own clothing.

Turning her back on the other two, she joined Brand. A risk, maybe, but she wanted to be close to him. Wanted to inhale the scent of salt and fresh pine, and that intangible warmth attached only to him.

They stood side by side at the balcony doors, a ray of sunlight just beyond their feet. Brand looked like he was considering those last few steps—the ones that would take him outside and into the morning air—but he didn’t move.

“Do you truly remember everything that happened last night?” That little spark of hope was morphing into a blaze, no matter how she tried to put it out.

“All of it,” he whispered.

There were too many emotions wrapped up in those three, little words. Without the mating bond, it was impossible to read him. To know whether pushing was a good idea.

Only one way to find out.