Tired as she was, this was too much. She made her way back to the heart of the city with tears running down her pale cheeks, too exhausted to stop them.
When Ori saw her, he said nothing, merely folded her in an embrace. She clung to him, unconcerned that she hardly knew him. Shyness and awkwardness were forgotten in the wreckage of her peaceful life.
‘We’ll mend it, Llan,’ Ori said when he finally let her go. ‘We’ll mend it all.’
She nodded, taking comfort from the conviction of his words. Not a trace of doubt marred his determination.
‘Is Avane back?’
He nodded. ‘Just a few minutes before you. She’s gone to rest. You should, too.’
‘I will,’ she promised, though she wouldn’t right away. She wanted her mother, and just now Ynara was with the rest of the city government a few miles to
