As I watched Aron descend from the aerie, Talon wrapped his arms around me from behind, as if reminding me that I wasn't alone—that he had me. A sharp prickle burned at the back of my hand, and when I looked down, a new word had been etched into my skin:
Faith.
I rubbed it gently, knowing without a doubt that Aron had helped me earn it.
The quiet between us was broken when Nori stepped forward and introduced herself.
"Your Highness," she said politely, bowing just enough, "I wanted to thank you for allowing me to stay with Sienna. My name is Nori. I am her companion, and it's an honor to be in your presence."
I had coached Nori beforehand, knowing how prideful and temperamental Talon could be. She had changed so much since I took her in. Several human-looking dogs and cats had tried to court her along the way, but she turned them all down. She worked hard now—honestly, without shortcuts.
Talon scanned her from head to toe and said nothing. Instead, he tugged on my arm and proudly showed me the pile of fruit he'd gathered.
Of course. He never changes.
"Sienna, look at all the fruit I got you," he said bluntly. "This time I'm being clear, so you don't miss what I mean."
I was genuinely touched, even if he'd never admit he went out of his way.
"Thank you. You didn't have to," I said lightly. "You probably spotted us from the sky and rushed to grab these."
"I didn't," he snapped. "Be thankful I remembered you."
I laughed under my breath. With Talon, I always felt like we clashed—but when I was with him, I also felt reckless, unfiltered. He pushed me, challenged me, made me feel capable of more than I ever thought possible.
I handed some of the fruit to Nori and walked toward my small nook, breathing in Avion's crisp air. Birds chirped and called overhead, their voices loud and animated. Once, their noise irritated me. Now I understood—it was how they lifted one another up. Still… sometimes it was a bit much.
When I reached my nook, I noticed something missing. The feather-and-vine weave I'd been working on was gone.
Before I could ask, Talon was suddenly right behind me, too close.
"Talon," I said, glancing over my shoulder, "why are you following me like this? You know I have nowhere else to go."
He pouted. "What's wrong with following someone I love? You don't need that nook anymore. You'll stay in my nest."
I already knew there was no point arguing. I had Nori take the nook, and I moved into Talon's nest instead. He settled beside me as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"I never got the chance to thank you for saving me from the bats," he murmured, resting his head against mine. "Why did you leave back then? You scared me. You scared all of us."
He lowered his voice. "I won't lose you again."
I remembered something then. "Talon… did you send birds to watch over me?"
"Yes," he admitted without hesitation. "I lost you too many times. I promised myself two things when I searched for you: that I'd say what I feel, and that I'd always watch over you."
He lifted my chin and brushed his thumb across my lips, making me inhale sharply. A soft kiss landed on my cheek.
This side of him still caught me off guard. For someone so vain, so sharp-edged, he loved deeply—and fiercely. I wondered if my bond with the kings made intimacy come too easily, if being near them blurred boundaries. It always felt like we slipped into something familiar without meaning to.
I fell asleep in his arms.
When morning came, Talon waited until I woke before leaving. I learned then that the birds of Avion did more than show off—they monitored the lands, carried messages, gathered information, and helped transport goods across Bestia.
After Talon left, I showed Nori around the aerie—the wildflowers, the stream, the view of Sylva far below.
We were sitting among the flowers when a shrill cry pierced the air.
My name.
I stood—and froze.
Lira and Lyca stood before me, eyes dark, faces twisted with fury. In Lira's hand was something small and broken.
She threw it at my feet.
A dead bird.
The decayed remains of Lina.
I retched the moment I realized what it was.
"The bats gave this to us," Lira hissed. "A gift from Vera. And this won't be the last. You killed her. This is your fault."
Her voice rose, sharp and venomous. "If you hadn't come here—if Talon had gotten rid of you—this wouldn't have happened. You even took Aron from us!"
She lunged.
Nori stepped in front of me—but Lyca struck her aside, sending her crashing to the ground.
Something inside me snapped.
I shoved Lira back. Lyca swung at me—I dodged, caught her wrist. Lira jumped again, and I grabbed her hair, dragging her down hard. Lyca tried to intervene; I kicked her away.
Lira's nails bit into my hand, drawing blood. I didn't let go.
"Who told you I wanted to be here?!" I screamed, everything spilling out. "If it were up to me, I would've left this cursed world long ago—but I don't get that choice! Just like Lina's death wasn't my choice!"
Tears streamed down my face. "Do you think it doesn't hurt me? If I'd known she needed saving, I would've saved her. I'm devastated too!"
Lyca scrambled up and lunged again—
"Talon!"
He appeared instantly, eyes blazing. He seized Lyca and roared, "Enough! I will not tolerate this in my kingdom!"
"She brought death to Avion!" Lyca cried. "Lina is dead because of her! You turned against us—against Aron—for her!"
Talon inhaled sharply, then spoke with crushing calm.
"If anyone is at fault, it's me. I failed to prepare Avion. I was arrogant. Self-absorbed. I thought only of myself—and my kingdom paid the price."
Even I hadn't expected that.
He released Lyca and turned to Lira. "You're free to leave Avion if you believe I'm weak. But don't blame Sienna for mistakes that are mine."
They realized then—too late—that Vera had used them.
They fled.
I helped Nori back to the nook while Talon buried Lina high in the aerie.
Later, I curled into myself in Talon's nest, bleeding, shaking, sobbing. This was what I feared most—anyone close to me getting hurt because of my existence.
Talon sat beside me and rubbed my back, seeing straight through me.
The guilt was crushing.
"I'm not fit for this," I whispered. "I'll only bring more death."
"Stop," Talon snapped, gripping my face. "That's not you. The Sienna I know is fierce, brave, and decisive. Why do you take blame for everything—even what isn't yours?"
His voice softened, though still sharp. "This is a world of beasts. Death is part of survival."
Harsh. Cold.
But grounding.
He pulled me back from the edge.
I wiped my tears. I couldn't afford doubt—not with Vera looming.
This time, Talon saved me.