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"You’re okay," I say

"Yes" He s with the province elders"

"Will they support her?" I ask

"Soht"

His words are a whisper, and I know this isn’t the conversation we should be having right now I have things I need to say, things I need to tell him

"Kyol--"

"Shh," he says "I know" He draws in a breath and takes a step back to look at s had turned out differently I wish I hadn’t been such a fool"

"But--"

"No It’s okay I understand why you’re leavingones"

The pain and regret in his voice killbecause I can’t My throat burns toohim, I would He’s my protector, my first love, my best friend He’s the one person in my life who’s always understood me, but what I said in Naito’s backyard is true: I never should have had to wait ten years for him I should have respected myself more than that, known I deserved to be treated better I should have deiven in We would be together But I was a coward I never gave hi over o," Kyol says "The re the palace and Lena is"

There are a number of ways I could fill in that blank, but I raise an eyebroaiting

"She is reckless," he finishes "She insists on being part of the guard rotation We need more fae to keep control of the palace, but it’s foolish for her to risk herself" He draws in a breath "I just needed to ain"