Fairspell Meadow swarm the belly, swelling to a blaze

Maegi waited patiently as Scarab internally worked through the situation, face soft, knowing the myriad emotions with which he must be grappling. When he opened his mouth to speak, she prepared herself to lose another of her flock—and instead was left bowled over, staring at him in bafflement.

You'd. . .you'd want to stay here? she asked, trying to keep her lower jaw from falling off entirely in her shock. Even if they're alive?

Above the surprise, she was touched beyond measure. She had considered Undersea once her home—still did, in a way—and yet, despite her love for the island, had eventually come back to Blackfeather, where her heart was. Perhaps it was the unfamiliar locale, Rusalka's new location, that was throwing Scarab, but. . .

Still. His family could be there, alive and yearning for him. And he wanted to stay here?

She thought her heart could burst without a moment's notice.