Metal sang in the night as Remiel pulled the scythe from his back. He tugged me behind him, his brown eyes heavy with worry as they swung between my face and the distant end of the path. I knew what he wanted to ask me to do.

"No, I'm not staying behind. This is my sister."

"You're exhausted and hurt." He spoke with a harshness I wasn't accustomed to coming from him. Where was the man who had once pushed me to be braver?

"And you think you can protect yourself from her flames if she decides to unleash them on you? She doesn't know you."

"My shadows. They protected us from her before. They can do so again. Please, just let me check the path."

The argument on the tip of my tongue died, and I nodded. Relief lightened his expression, and he bent to press a kiss to my forehead before pulling his hood over his head and his cowl around his mouth. In the space of a heartbeat, he became one with the darkness, and only the whispering of grass blades as they bent under his feet gave away his movement.

I hadn't wanted to give in and stay behind while Remiel ran toward danger, but he was right. His shadows offered him more protection than anything I had at my disposal right now. I could barely walk. My magic was so weak I could barely feel it, and my memories had proved that I was not immune to Mara's flames. There was also no guarantee that she would recognize that I was her sister. I was not the girl I once was.

Seconds turned to minutes, and the minutes crept toward an hour. Grease dripped from the rabbit, sizzling and popping as it landed in the flames. Desperate for something to do, I turned the spit to ensure the meat was cooked evenly. The air grew pungent with the scent of roasted rabbit, but my stomach was too tied in knots to show any interest in it.

A twig snapped. It was a small noise and close. Almost close enough to convince me it was simply a piece of wood shifting in the fire, but shortly after, there was a rustling noise in the bushes to my right. Nails digging into my palms, I watched the area closely, but nothing came out.

Turning my attention down the path, I debated the wisdom of following Remiel after so long, but after only a few more seconds, I decided I couldn't stand the not knowing any longer. I made it two steps before he materialized before me. I sucked in a scream and jumped backward. He moved like the wind, catching me around the waist and jerking me toward him.

Chests pressed together, I could feel his thundering heart against mine. "You almost stepped on the fire," he explained.

"What took you so long?"

"There was someone–or something–here alright. It took me on a merry chase. I finally turned around because I panicked it was leading me away from you."

"It was Mara. I'm certain of it."

"What made you think it was her?" He pulled down the cowl covering his face, and I was relieved to see no skepticism in his expression.

"I saw flames. In your eyes."

He frowned and pushed a strand of hair behind my ear. "You think she was trying to possess me?"

I didn't answer immediately. Did I think Mara had tried to possess Remiel? No. I didn't even think she had that ability. Whatever control she had over me had to do with our relationship. I felt sure of that.

"No...I don't know. Maybe I really was imagining things."

"Morana," Remiel called out as I pulled out of his arms and sat beside the fire. "Maybe it was too much, too quickly."

"What do you mean?"

He pulled a strip of meat from the rabbit's bones and popped it into his mouth. When he handed me a piece, I accepted it reluctantly. After sitting for so long, it was cold. Add that to the fact it was overcooked and bland. It took a lot of effort to chew it and swallow. Only the silent mental reminder that I needed my strength and Remiel's watchful gaze kept me from spitting it out.

Remiel didn't answer me until we'd picked the carcass clean. Then he threw the bones into the ashes and embers and wiped his hands on his trousers. That pensive look had returned to his face.

"I don't want you to feel like things have to be physical between us."

"Y-you don't want me?" I stammered, embarrassed and a little angry. Despite my lack of experience, I thought the desire between us was fairly obvious.

"Fuck," he bit out as he whipped his head around to look at me. His cheeks flushed. "That's not at all what I meant by that. It's just that you saw the flames around the time things were intensifying, and..."

He trailed off, but I picked up where he left off. "You think I panicked and made up Mara to stop what was happening?"

"Did you?"

"No!" I shouted, grabbing a handful of grass and dirt and flinging it at him. He hunched over to avoid being struck in the face. "I can't believe you think I would do that. First, I trust you."

His brows knitted together as he brushed dirt off his clothes. "What do you mean?"

"I mean that I trust you. If I asked you to stop, you would. Immediately. You would not manipulate me into giving in."

"I would never–"

"Exactly. I know that," I cut him off, scooting closer to him so I could cup his face. "I'm only telling you that because I want you to trust that when I kiss you or touch you or accept your touch, it's because I want it. Every part of me."

Remiel's lips shifted into a crooked grin. "What's the second reason? You said first, so I'm assuming there is a second."

I dropped my hand from his face, balled it into a fist, and punched him in the shoulder. He pretended to rub the spot as if I'd done serious damage.

"Second, I wouldn't have let you risk your life going into the night chasing after a made-up story."

"Well, that means that you really did see flames." He exhaled, his smile falling away from his face as he turned his eyes to the fire. "We need to keep moving, but you need rest."

"So do you."

"I'm fine."

"No."

"Morana–"

"Remy." We glared at one another. "You can sleep while I take watch. I won't let you sleep more than two bells."

"I have a better idea," he said, leading me back to the soft grass bed and pulling me onto the ground beside him.

"One of us needs to take watch," I protested as he settled me into the curve of his body and tucked his cloak around me. Shadows unfurled from his body and spread over us. "Oh."

"It's something I learned from the Shadow Brothers. They shield themselves like this when they're on patrol. I won't sleep as deeply." Remiel yanked me down as I tried to get up. He repeated himself, "I won't sleep as deeply, but this way I can sleep longer. It will even out."

"Are you just telling me that so I'll agree?"

His chin rested on my head, and his grip around my waist tightened. "No, I'm not. Besides, I doubt I would sleep very well knowing you were taking watch. Now, go to sleep."

Utter darkness fell over us. Blocking out the stars and moonlight and cocooning us in black. Before long, Remiel's breathing slowed and deepened. My eyes grew heavy listening to the sound, and my last thought before drifting to sleep was how easy it would be to get used to falling asleep in his arms.

The morning dawned cold and hazy. Normally such gray mornings would make me feel unrested and irritable, but as I splashed cold water on my face, I realized I felt better rested than I had in ages. Remiel also seemed rather cheerful, whistling tunelessly as he packed our meager supplies.

"How's the ankle?" he asked as we set out.

"Barely a twinge."

"Good." He grabbed my hand and held it as we walked. "In case you trip again."

"Oh, of course."

Today's walk was far more pleasant than the previous day's. The sunlight, while weakened by the clouds and mist, was far better than the glimmer worm light. It made it much easier to navigate the winding, rocky path, and we could actually enjoy the scenery. What little we could see beyond the towering pines growing on either side of the path.

"One day," I said after walking in complete silence for almost two bells, "all of Araphel will look like this again."

Remiel sighed. "I know it will."

"And just to be extra safe, we should make sure that everything is rebuilt in ravenstone?"

"Seems rather expensive, but I approve."

"Hmm, already annoyed by my spending habits. This could be a problem."

That earned a hearty chuckle. "I don't think I could expect anything less from a princess."

"That's right. I am a pri–Look!" I halted and pointed at a hilltop that appeared as we came around a bend. An archway of ravenstone, glowing bright with absorbed light, sat in the center.

"Is that what I think it is?"

"Dycidium."