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“Fuck.” Lyriat dug his fists into the ground, as if it might keep him upright should the worst happen. “I barely have my sanity as it is, Lunara.”

Amun took his own seat amongst the trilliatum and wrapped his arm around Lyriat, giving him a squeeze. “It’ll be alright. Go on.”

“Bear with me.” She looked away, seeming to sort through her thoughts. “I’m learning the hard way that the Shadow Prophecy she delivered to Emperor Stennyx was the absolute bare minimum, and there’s really no telling what role Nyri and Bal have to play in all this. The only parts we’ve deciphered are mine and Brand’s. For all we know, the whole thing boils down to them, and they save everyone.”

Lyriat huffed, somewhere between bitter and resigned. “Leave it to you to make that optimistic leap. My cousins are sheltered and coddled, because I’ve spent every minute of their upbringing ensuring it. I don’t know if they were made for fulfilling bloody prophecies.”

“Many of us would say the same thing about the trials we face,” she said quietly. “Don’t underestimate them because you’re scared. They were raised by the Demon King Lyriat of Straelon. I’m sure it counts for something.”

“A fair point,” Lyriat rasped. “Everyone has always underestimated Nyriadne especially, myself included.” He shook himself, digging the heel of his palm into his forehead. “How the fuck do you have me wanting to believe you that she could actually save the world?”

Luna smiled. “If nothing else, I have full confidence in Nyri’s ability to talk her abductor into madness. Perhaps he’ll set them free just to have some peace and quiet.”

That managed to pull a weak laugh from Lyriat, and Brand realized how masterful Luna really was. How she healed with her words as surely as her hands, shoring him up for the hard part to come.

“And at least they’re together, that we know of,” Brand added. “Bal won’t let anything happen to her.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of. I can almost accept Nyri having a higher purpose because of who and how she is, but Bal…” Lyriat shook his head. “Because of who and how he is, he won’t think of Bordoroth or anyone else. Not even himself. Only her. He would only make sure to save her.”

“Well, based on your greeting at our arrival, I assume Fern has her own opinions on the matter. What did she have to say?” Luna asked.

“Sisters spare me from that creature.” Lyriat scoffed. “She’s assured me repeatedly that everything will be fine eventually. She never even cursed or insulted me about it. I think the tender version of her is more frightening than the feral one.”

Luna nodded. “Good, that should make the rest of this easier.”

“Yes, you’ve played your game well and calmed me down,” Lyriat said, nothing but respect for her in his tired gaze. “Just say it, Lunara.”

She scooted in and gathered one of Lyriat’s hands between both of her own. “And I quote, ‘Ten and four are missing. Taken. Of those lost, two best forsaken.’ Directly related to Nyri and Bal. When I argued the absurdity of such a thing, because I’d never willingly leave them, she repeated the phrase, ‘It’s not for you,’ no less than three times. Then later, to Brand—which is its own story for another day—she offered a truth and said, ‘It’s not for you, the sun and the moon. That doesn’t mean others won’t know what to do.’”

“I see,” Lyriat whispered.

It didn’t look at all like he did.

“She spoke to you, too?” Amun asked.

“It’s rather more complicated than that, I’m afraid.” Brand sighed. “But as Luna said, that’s probably best saved for another⁠—”

Shrieking curses and a vicious snarl reached them on the wind, a wretched, screaming yowl immediately after, and Brand shot upright on a spike of panic.

“Stirling.”

Luna didn’t miss a beat, misting them up to the tower and into utter chaos.

Pet was shoving his way under the bed frame, jaw snapping as the wood scraped across the floor.

“Calm down, you mangy bastard!” Fern hollered, her fists buried in his scruff and trying to wrench him away. “Don’t you dare fucking hurt him!”

That only served to incense the wolf further, Pet doubling down on his attack.

“Enough!” Brand bellowed as Luna disappeared again, letting the rage run free within him.

His tunic shredded as he grew and reached down to grapple with Pet. Even with both Brand and Fern restraining him, the wolf was winning. Out of his bloody damned mind.

“What the fuck happened?” Brand shouted, attempting to get an arm around his thrashing brother.

Fern got to it first, her legs wrapping around Pet’s neck and locking at the ankles. Barely. “We heard you were back and came up to see you,” she grunted, nearly getting thrown. “Stirling was on the bed, and I made the blimmin’ mistake of getting excited and saying he was your new pet. I didn’t even have time to blink before he was shifted and lunging.”

Brand grabbed hold of Pet’s hindquarters and yanked, sliding both him and Fern to the middle of the room.