Zephyr flipped the crest into the flame. "Soon the cuffs will clasp his wrists."
Fenna stared at the coals. "What if he drags my clan / family into it? There are laws—"
"Your clan can watch him fall. That's all."
A pause; the crackle filled anxious space.
"Will you keep one secret?" Fenna asked, voice thin.
Zephyr lifted brows. "Thought we were done with secrets."
"Just a fear." She studied his face. "If he injured you in the ring… and what if he owns me by marriage contract?"
Zephyr's chest constricted. "He won't." He cupped her cheek with calloused palm. "Star, Aurora, Luke, Mira, Muse—we are a legion. And I have this." He tapped his temple where the invisible system halo lived. "Mystery or not, it won't let me break."
Emotion welled in Fenna's eyes. She pressed lips to his, it was fierce, claiming. Luke's flute fell silent; Mira looked away with a shy smile.
When they parted, Fenna whispered, "Then no fear."
