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Veyr lowered our hands, but his grip stayed. His thumb moved once over my knuckle, slow, then stilled. The medical display ticked on the wall behind him. The ventilation fan cycled down and stopped.

I leaned in and kissed him. Not deep—just enough that his breath crossed my mouth.

“You should rest.”

His eyes stayed on mine. “I am resting.”

“You’re staring at me.”

“I am aware.”

“That’s not sleep.”

“No.”

I smiled. “So stubborn.”

“Accurate.”

For once, I didn’t argue.

I stayed beside him with his hand around mine and his ŭre glowing softly beneath our fingers.

And for the first time since I met him, Veyr didn’t look like a man waiting for the next place he would have to disappear.

He looked like someone who might finally be thinking about staying.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Talia

Anik came the next morning without guards or a council.

Just him.

I was already in Veyr’s room, sitting in the same chair I had occupied the day before. Veyr was awake this time—annoyingly awake.

He had convinced the medical staff to let him sit upright without the restraint field active, which apparently counted as freedom in his mind. I had also caught him trying to stand once.

That had resulted in a discussion.

He had sat back down.

Eventually.

The door opened without a chime, and Anik entered carrying a thin black data slate.

Veyr’s posture changed immediately. Not dramatically, but enough that I saw the old soldier come back.

I touched his forearm. “Don’t.

His gaze shifted to me. “I did nothing.”

“You were about to sit straighter.”

“I am already sitting.”

“You know what I mean.”