Page 225 of Emylia

She scooted over, patting the bed beside her. “Come on. You’re going to catch frostbite in that.”

I peeled off the wet layers, tossed them in a heap on the floor, and pulled on the first warm thing I could find. Then I crawled under the blanket beside her, being careful not to touch her.

The silence that followed was thick—comfortable in a way only shared trauma could be. Two girls wrapped in wool and candlelight, pretending the world wasn’t about to split open outside the ward.

Evie bumped her shoulder into mine. “You scared me today.”

“Right back at you,” I muttered.

We sat there for a while, leaning into the quiet.

Not empty. Just... full.

Full of what we hadn’t said. What didn’t need saying.

“Wait, did you just touch me?” She nodded, oblivious to the extent of my disbelief. “And you didn’t have a seizure or I dunno, die?”

Her laughter was instant, filling my room with light it had been craving. “Obviously not.”

“This calls for a celebration.” My voice lowered. “Want to do something dubious?”

She blinked. “Is that a trick question?”

I was definitely a bad influence on her—andI loved it.

A sly smile curved at my lips. “Something of the greatest importance.”

Her brow rose, noting the scandal in my tone. “Go on.”

“Do you feel like a midnight voyage to the forge?”

She narrowed her eyes. “Why would I want to do that?”

“You said you want to do something that matters,” I said, pushing off the headboard to face her fully. “And I can’t think of anything better than you and I joining forces... for something epic.”

“Are you going to give me any details, or completely leave me in the dark?”

Of course she would want more details, she practically siphoned facts and absorbed information just for fun.

“It’s for Bastian and Maalik.”

Evie tilted her head. “You’ve chosen between them?”

A laugh slipped out before I could stop it—small, a little cracked, but real. “No. Not even close.”

Her expression softened. Curious. But not judging.

I swallowed, dragging in a breath. “They both deserve my heart, and they both have it. That won’t change, even if I do choose one over the other.”

Evie nodded, something unreadable flickering behind her gaze.

“So?” I asked, rising from the bed, the firelight catching in my eyes. “Want to come forge fate with me?”

Her eyes lit up. “Definitely yes. What do I have to do?”

“Just make sure Maalik drinks from a cup I give you.”

Her smile faltered. “Why can’t you do it?”

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