Page 116 of The Cost of Blood and Bonds

“He’s going to be so worried.” Her voice cracks. “He won’t know if I’m okay—he’ll think the worst. He always does⁠—”

She stops and swallows. But I catch it, he always does.

“We’ll get you back to him as soon as you can travel,” Grier says gently. “A few more days, maybe a week. We’ll send word today, so he knows you’re alive.”

“Thanks,” she breathes, and the tension drains from her shoulders.

I hold her and try to understand, who Finn is to her, what Grier knows that I don’t. The questions pile up, but I swallow them down.

Gemma shifts and winces.

“I need to—” She stops and swallows. “I need to relieve myself.”

“I’ll wake Marel,” Grier says, already moving toward the corner where the old couple sleeps.

There’s a few quiet words, and Marel is rising. Pulling a shawl around her shoulders. She shuffles toward us, still half-asleep, reaching for Gemma.

“Come, dear. I’ll help you⁠—”

She stops. Her eyes land on Gemma’s face, and the color drains from her cheeks. Her hand flies to her mouth.

“Ella—” The name comes out strangled, dragged up before she can stop it.

Gemma goes rigid in my arms.

“No.” Her voice is careful. “I’m Gemma.”

Marel stares at her with wide eyes, searching her face like she can’t trust what she’s seeing.

“I’m sorry, I—” Marel shakes her head. “Forgive me. You just, you look so much like⁠—”

She doesn’t finish. I look at Gemma. Her face has gone carefully empty and guarded.

I almost lost her. I held her broken body in the snow and begged her to stay. And even now, even after everything, she’s still hiding from me.

I don’t need her secrets to love her; I already love her. I just ache to be the person she trusts enough.

Chapter 37

Grier

Ella.

The name lands like a stone in still water. I watch Gemma’s face go blank and controlled.

Marel and Rye help her to her feet. She moves slowly and painfully toward the washroom.

Rye stares at the closed door with his jaw tight, and I know he’s thinking about the name.

“Grier.” He turns to me, desperate. “What don’t I know?”

He looks at me like the answer is mine to give.

“She was terrified for him. More than—” His voice catches. “And you knew exactly what to say. How to calm her.”

I stay quiet.

“What is he to her?”