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“What happened?” The question breaks through the quiet, his head turning toward me. “How are you here, Amalia Wolf?”
I rest my head back against the wall. “Caelan ripped me back across the veil.”
His eyebrows pull together. “Why would he do such a thing?”
I arch a brow at him. “Really?”
His attention catches on the sithean stone dangling from my wrist and understanding dawns. “How long have I been gone?”
“Long enough for your brothers to exhaust all other avenues to find you.”
“In there, it seemed as if only a day passed.” Elionn’s finger traces the markings on my palm. “You know, if you were so desperate to marry me, you should have just stayed.”
I snatch my hand back. “You shouldn’t have lied about the importance of the stone. This is your fault.”
“You stole my blood,” he counters. “You’re hardly blameless.”
“I’d say you’re more at fault,” I mutter, and he laughs, the sound echoing around us.
“I’ve missed your prickles, Amalia.”
I turn my head to glare at him. “Theron explained the double-naming thing, so don’t think I’m not aware you’re being familiar with me right now.”
“My blood is in your body, and you’ve bonded with my sithean stone.” His focus drops to my mouth. “I think there’s reason to be familiar.”
A flush of heat rolls through me. “Don’t be looking at me as if you have the energy to follow through.”
He leans closer. “I’m feeling more energetic by the second.”
I push him away, my hand lingering on his firm chest before I withdraw and stand, putting distance between myself and temptation. “Your brothers are worried for you.”
He stands to follow, refusing to allow me to run again. “Did they come with you?”
“Caelan remains within the Silver Spire. Theron traveled with me to the Dark Sithe, and I tracked you to the rift.”
Worry twists through me. How much time has passed in the outer world while we’ve been trapped here?
His brows shoot up. “Theron in the Dark Sithe? That hasn’t happened in centuries.”
“He’s worried about you. More than he’s willing to show.”
Warmth replaces his surprise. “He always doted on us. It’s been hard on him since Lunaria’s death. I regret that my absence has worried my brothers enough to drag you into this.”
I remember Caelan’s desperation when he told me of Elionn’s disappearance. “Your family doesn’t give up easily.”
“No. We don’t.” The moment stretches between us. “Neither do you, it seems.”
“Professional pride.” I manage a stiff shrug. “I complete my contracts.”
“Is that all I am to you?” He closes the distance by another step. “A contract?”
The chamber pulses faster with my quickened heartbeat, betraying emotions I’d rather keep hidden. “You’re the reason I’m bound to this place now. So perhaps you’re more of a burden.”
Instead of taking offense, he chuckles. “Fair enough.”
Elionn shifts closer until our arms touch, the contact sending a spark through me. “Whatever happens, I want you to know I never meant for anyone to follow me here. I came seeking knowledge about the crystal blight, hoping to save our realms.”
“And became a prisoner to the court instead.”
