“I am.”

“Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine,” I tell him.

Under the shelter of each other, people survive.

He smiles at me, and I give him a swift kiss.

“Killian,” I say on a wispy catch of breath. “My answer is yes.”

His hold on me tightens. “You mean...”

“I mean, yes.” I nod. “Yes, I will make covenant with you.”

Shock registers, then pleasure. Then his own bout of nervousness. He cups my face with his big, calloused hands, his thumbs once again brushing over the rise of my cheeks.

“You’re sure, lass? I’m now being hunted by my own people. I can get inside Myriad, but the moment I pass through our Veil, I’ll be met with resistance.”

“We can sneak me inside and we can overcome any resistance together.”

Together, we can find a way into the Kennels and Many Ends. We can save the people being tortured. Maybe, just maybe, we can dethrone Ambrosine and finally usher in peace between the realms.

“You’re sure?” he asks again.

“I’m sure,” I say with a nod.

A radiant smile lifts the corners of his lips. “Then let us begin.”

“Victory comes one day at a time.”

—Ten Lockwood