Clover wouldn’t meet my eyes, and that only added fuel to the rage simmering under my skin. What kind of useless sacks of flesh had she dealt with to make her expect so little from people? No, wait. I didn’t want to know the answer to that–I’d hunt them down, and that was a distraction we couldn’t afford right now.

  “Clover…” I started, but she cut me off, words spilling out like a flood she couldn’t hold back.

  “I’m not strong enough to get it alone. I need your help. And if you left…if you left before the people were healed, I couldn’t let that happen. I know this sounds awful. I’m using you, and–”

  Her voice sped up, guilt and self-loathing dripping from every word. When it became clear she couldn’t stop herself, I pulled her into my lap and wrapped her in a firm hug.

  She froze mid-sentence, chest heaving, and I softened my tone. “Clover. Breathe. I’m not angry.”

  Her head snapped up, and she met my gaze cautiously. “You’re…not?”

  I shook my head, keeping my voice steady. “No. You’re doing your best to look out for sick people. How could I fault you for that? While I'd like you to believe I’m not going anywhere, I understand it’s hard to trust someone you’ve only known for a short time. But, Clover…”

  “Yes?”

  The hope in her eyes nearly broke my heart. Smiling, I kissed her hair, hoping to ease the tension gripping her. “I’m not going anywhere. Even in the impossible scenario where I left because of something from your past, I’d never abandon you to face this quest alone. One way or another, we’re doing this together.”

  Her breath hitched, and the desperate desire to believe warred with her lingering doubt. The battle played out in her eyes until finally, she whispered, “Do you swear it?”

  If that’s what it took.

  Straightening, I summoned my mana, wrapping my words in its essence. “On my life, I will not leave you until our quest is complete, and the people of Starkfell are healed.”

  The vow sank into my skin, humming like distant thunder before fading. Clover huffed a disbelieving laugh. “Spirits above, you actually did it.”

  I nodded firmly. “Of course. I have no intention of leaving. Whatever happened before, I. Am. Not. Leaving. You. Tell me or don't, that's up to you, but you're stuck with me either way.”

  I wasn’t about to force the answer out of her, but she needed to understand that I wasn’t like the idiots she’d dealt with before.

  I’d die before I betrayed her.

  Her lips trembled, and her grip on my hand tightened. Determination flashed through her, breaking apart the remnants of doubt. “A year ago, I made a mistake. I trusted the wrong person, and it ended with thousands of people dead.” She swallowed hard, her knuckles turning bone white on mine as her voice dropped to a near whisper. “I healed Lazarus, the Mad King himself.”

  I blinked, caught off guard. Okay, I hadn’t seen that one coming…but it didn’t matter.

  Her pale skin and trembling hands told me enough. She was terrified of my reaction. Given that she’d been betrayed by those she trusted–a lover, even–I couldn’t blame her.

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  First and foremost, I needed to make her see that we were still okay. Without thinking, I said the first thing that popped into my head.

  “Thank the spirits, I thought you were about to tell me you slept with him.” I grimaced, quickly adding. “It wouldn't have changed anything, to be clear, but it definitely would’ve been…daunting.”

  She sputtered, caught somewhere between disbelief and hysterical amusement. “No! I definitely didn’t do that.”

  The amusement faded quickly, though, and she pressed. “You’re truly okay with this? I healed the tyrant king who killed thousands–and still does.”

  I scoffed. “Did you know it was him when you healed him?”

  She hesitated, then shook her head. “No, but that doesn’t change the fact that if I hadn’t, so many lives would’ve been saved.”

  At least I had an easy argument for that one. Stroking her knuckles, I spoke. “A dragon attacked Dawncrest looking for me. Does that mean the lives lost are my fault?”

  Her eyes narrowed in anger. “No! Of course not! Did someone say that?” Mutinous plotting burned behind her eyes. “I’ll damn well neuter them.”

  Her protective fury warmed me. “Not directly, but they weren’t thrilled at first. It almost became an angry mob before the mayor intervened. My point is, you aren’t to blame for what happened, just like I’m not responsible for the dragon.”

  I lifted our joined hands and kissed the back of hers. “And look–I’m still here. Just like I promised.”

  Her anger melted, replaced by a softness that made my chest ache. “Yeah, you are.”

  The tension between us shifted, the air warm and electric. Clover leaned in, her nose brushing mine. My pulse quickened. “Do I get another kiss? One that doesn’t send you into a worry spiral afterward?”

  She rolled her eyes but smiled. “You never need to ask. The answer will always be yes.”

  The kiss was long and tender, her hand resting on my chest before sliding up to brush my neck. I deepened it, my fingers tangling into her hair. Just as her tongue flicked against mine, a deliberate throat-clearing interrupted us.

  The phoenix watched us, amusement heavy in the air. “I feel now is a good time to remind you that I am here.”

  Its eggs sat nearby, splattered with basilisk blood but otherwise untouched. Under other circumstances, I’d be ecstatic, but right now, I glared. “I don’t care. You’re probably older than most cities, and you’ve seen far worse than some innocent kissing. Interrupting is rude.”

  Clover laughed, patting my chest. “Easy, Darling. There’ll be plenty of time for that later. The phoenix has a point. I, for one, don’t want to snog while being intensely stared at.”

  Grumbling, I relented, content to let her rest her head in the crook of my neck. Peace washed over me, her warmth a balm to my nerves. But then, she asked, “So why exactly was a dragon targeting you to begin with?”

  Dread sank into my gut. I’d forgotten something important.

  Clearing my throat, I winced. “Ah, looks like it's my turn to reveal a secret…”

  Her head lifted, blue eyes locking onto mine with unwavering focus. “Whatever it is, it won’t matter. I’m not leaving.”

  Spirits above, I hoped so.

  I took a deep breath, forcing the nerves down. “I believe you. Clover, I’m–”

  A deafening bang cut me off, and frustration boiled over. “You have got to be kidding me!”

  So close. I’d been so damn close.

  Clover shot to her feet, mace in hand, eyes sharp and ready. “Tell me later, darling. For now, we have pests to deal with.”

  Evidently.