Neria's eyes had closed. Under other circumstances, she might have seemed asleep, for all that peace had finally come up to claim her. But she was listening to him, to his heart and to his thoughts, and it was only then that she rifled through them with exquisite care. She looked only through the surface thoughts and found what was to be expected: worry for Rhy, for the kingdom. Confusion, that Neria was there at all. Relief.

She felt his mouth brush her thumb. It was a briefly electrifying sensation and she turned her head, looking at him. There, she felt a brief flash of uncertainty again...and she realized the cause.

Her presence wrapped around him again, bracing him for something unwanted. Her hand reached up, brushing stray strands of hair from his eyes.

"They're not mine," she said softly. She sighed. "A great deal has happened since you went home. We're all changing."