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She nodded against him, and that was enough. He gently eased her away from the darkness, knowing that they weren’t far from a cabinet that would take them back up into the light. In more ways than one.

His urge was to carry her, but she paused before leaving, and turned to her Uncle. “Can we...talk soon?”

He was as affected as she was. “Of course, dear child. Just tell me where and when. We’re family. You don’t need to ask.”

“Lord Theryn, you would honour us by joining Mae and me for an evening meal? Perhaps tomorrow?”

Phineas tilted his head to one side and blinked at Cyrus. “I think I’d like that.”

“Good.” The two men shared a look. “I’ll take her home. To my house in town.”

“Do that,” nodded Phineas. “I believe that’s an excellent idea.”

He left the room, as Maelin raised her head and wiped her eyes.

“I’m sorry, Cyrus.” She pulled a handkerchief from her skirt pocket and blew her nose. “I don’t cry too often, but this has been...”

“Yes. It has,” he hugged her tightly. “Mae, you are...amazing, astounding, incredible...”

“Oh hush,” she sighed. “I’m crying all over you. I’m none of those things.” She looked at him, her eyes still swimming in silver-blue tears. “This was...oh God, so hard.”

“I can’t begin to imagine.” He took her hands and repeated himself. “Let’s go home.”

She nodded. “Yes. Yes please.”

They were silent as they walked to the cabinet, silent as it took them back up to the sunlight, and silent as they stepped out into a different world.

“It’s like nothing has happened,” whispered Maelin, staring at the people going about their business under a blue sky and sunshine.

“Here.” An aethercoach pulled up. “I asked Bram to arrange this for us when we arrived.” He helped her in, took her hand and then sat beside her, lurching a little as the vehicle took off.

Silence fell, as if the events of the day were still lingering in both their minds. But he felt her body relax against him as the journey took them through sun-filled streets, past bright storefronts, and over the wharf where a band was practicing for the revels that were barely a week away.

The music filled the aethercoach for a few minutes and once again Cyrus felt the tensions ease in the woman next to him.

All too soon they arrived at Drake’s Rest.

But it was a different kind of respite, and Cyrus held her hand as he walked her to the front door.

It opened before he had chance to knock, ring, or take out his key.

“Welcome home, sir, my Lady,” Gerald stood formally in the entrance and then stepped back, pulling the door with him. “And another welcome from our newest guest.”

Cyrus felt the shiver run though Mae’s body, and guessed the rest of Caelemar probably heard the scream.

“Inky...”

For the next few moments, the hall of Drake’s Rest contained a Lord and his penguin tickerkin staring at each other, and a Lady lost in the enthusiastic embraces of a seven-tentacled octopus tickerkin.

It took about twenty minutes to get it all sorted out.

“How did you...when did you...” Maelin was all over Cyrus, sniffing, laughing, hugging him, sneaking in a kiss or two. “What made you think of this? How did you know it was the perfect surprise?”

“He’s got a good head on him, Miss Mae,” said Inky from across the room, where she sat next to Gerald. “Knew you’d need someone after all this...” A tentacle waved vaguely. “This mess.”

“He was so right,” she replied. Then she glanced at him and picked up his hand. “He always is.”

Before that conversation could continue, there was another knock at the door.