Page 221 of Elemental Becoming

Thane’s gaze lingers on Kieran. Kieran meets it without looking away.

For a moment, neither man speaks.

Then Thane says quietly, “If you need anything, you come to me.”

Kieran doesn’t answer right away. He holds Thane’s gaze for a moment longer before giving a tight nod.

“Yes, sir.”

Thane looks down at me. “Ready to go?”

I nod. “Yeah. We still have to meet with Valen.”

The thought alone makes my stomach tighten. The bond is changing. My channeling has to be stabilized. And Thane wielded the Shadow Element when he finally let go.

None of it feels small.

I stand, then lean down and press a kiss to Kieran’s cheek. He startles, and pain flashes across his face as he moves too quickly. He pulls back into his pillows before catching himself. A moment later, he relaxes, and his good arm curls around me, holding me there for a brief second before letting go.

I smile.

“Heal fast, soldier. The moment you’re cleared, you and I are sparring.”

“Abso-fucking-lutely, Thalor.”

Then he blinks, looking at Thane, realizing he just swore in front of the Warlord.

“Oh. Sorry, sir.”

Thane rests a hand on his uninjured shoulder, firm but gentle.

“It’s alright, Vael.”

I smile at Kieran over my shoulder as Thane’s hand settles at the small of my back, a quiet nudge. Together, we leave the infirmary and head toward Valen’s quarters.

“How do you feel,” Thane asks, his voice low as he threads his fingers through mine, “after all of that?”

I exhale, the sound heavier than I expect.

“It was a lot,” I admit, shaking my head. “I don’t know how you do it. Carrying all their fear and grief while still being the person they lean on.” I squeeze his hand. “I feel wrung out. Like there’s nothing left in me.”

For the first time since we stepped out of the infirmary, I see the strain behind his eyes. A weariness he would never willingly put into words.

He is quiet for a moment.

“Duty takes something from you,” he says at last. “Especially after days like this. It never gets easier.”

He draws me closer, one arm wrapping around my shoulders before he presses a kiss to my temple.

“You did well in there,” he murmurs.

When he pulls back, his fingers find mine again.

“Let’s go find Valen.” A faint smile touches his mouth. “We’ve got a lot to figure out.”

REAWAKENING

THIRTY