When Kaye woke it was well past sunrise. Her hand was in Bryant's, and his head was next to her on the cot. There were dark circles under his eyes, and she reached out and ran a hand through his golden hair.

His eyes opened and he sat up. "How are you?"

She shrugged. "You didn't have to sleep on the floor."

He stretched out of the unnatural position. "I didn’t want to wake you. You were sleeping fitfully."

Kaye looked to the back of the cave. She dreamed of Eoin and Trina, of the High Priestess and her father. "Why didn't you tell me about Kaye Conal?" She looked at him just in time to see the old pain and anger before he hid it away.

"Because I knew it would hurt, and I did not want to hurt you. I was going to tell you soon."

She picked at the blanket. "It hurts to know you hide so much from me. Like Gabe."

Bryant stiffened. "What do you mean?"

"That he's your father." She looked at him as he stood and turned away. "You should have told me."

"Why? So you could look at me with pity like everyone else? So you would know that I am not the son he chose?"

"He didn't choose to leave you." Kaye reached out and grabbed his hand. "Abigail…”

"Did not cut his wings off. He did that to himself. He chose to leave."

Kaye pushed herself up, still holding his hand. "You should have told me."

"I do not like admitting that my father left me to sire a Tarrin family." Bryant pulled his hand away and crossed his arms. He wouldn't look at her.

Kaye hadn’t realized it until Gabe asked if she knew Bryant, but she’d felt awful since. It was obvious Timin had no idea, but when Bryant said Timin stole something from him, he meant his father. And Kaye had only rubbed it in Bryant’s face the entire time she lived in Gaerlom.

She sighed. "Is there anything else you're hiding from me?"

The tension in his shoulders grew before he dropped his hands. "No."

He was lying, but Kaye didn't have the energy to argue. She lay back down. "I have to go home as soon as the pass is clear."

Bryant didn't turn around, but his voice was thick when he spoke. "I know."

"Will you come with me?"

He was silent for a long moment, then sighed and faced her. The pained look had returned, and she wondered if it would ever leave again. "I will. The pass should be clear soon. I have been checking it for you."

"Thank you." She squeezed his hand before sitting up. Dizziness almost sent her back to the cot again, but she bowed her head and let it pass. "Let's go home. I'm sure Celeste would like her bed back."

Bryant steadied her as she stood and took her hand at the ledge. He looked at her and the pain was still in his eyes. "I do not want to lose you Kaye. Ever."

"You won't." She kissed him before they dropped out the door.