Swiftcurrent Creek But what we learn in the dark can see us through

Would she have told him, if he'd asked? The story of The Gilded Sea, the blood and fire she'd been born to; perhaps not. Akavir had never needed a reason to distrust her, and stupidly she still wished for his trust. His respect. His —

Lestan. The name struck her and cut more deeply than she might have imagined, sliced right through any pretty little dreams she'd had of staying. Of course she couldn't stay. This wasn't her home.

And she'd never been his home.

The hot sting of her own tears nearly blinded her to the soft touch at her cheek — but not quite. But if he'd meant to keep her from crying, he would find himself sorely mistaken. That brief warmth was what broke her. Reverie couldn't find any words to give him, as hard as she tried. She wept openly now; she wept for all the things that she could never say.

It wasn't Lestan she thought of, then.