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Vandor shook his head, not keeping his eyes off the road. “Glass is for prestige. You’ll only find it in the city center. Ask Daven; he’s obsessed with them.”

“Do you also have suburbs? Poverty?”

Vandor’s lips twitched. “And cemeteries. And creepy hospitals.”

“Do you have a Ward?” The question slipped out before Ryneth could swallow the words.

Vandor just shook his head.

“Are you from Helion?”

Vandor tipped his chin toward the curb. “They’re here for you.”

“Yes. Sure.” Ryneth swallowed, his mouth going dry as the car rolled forward. Something tightened in his ribs. Without Daven beside him, without that loud presence and heat filling the space, the world felt larger. It felt louder.

The vehicle slowed at the drop lane.

What was that meeting with the Imperial about?

He hadn’t asked.

He hadn’t dared.

But he told himself Daven would be back soon.

The car door opened. Vandor stepped out first.

Cyprian was already waiting near the curb, hands loosely in his pockets. He inclined his head toward Vandor in greeting. “Morning.”

“Cyprian.”

Mirel stood beside him, pale hair catching the light. When Vandor’s eyes found him, something shifted just slightly. Not enough for anyone else to notice.

“You good?” Vandor asked, pulling him briefly into a one-armed hug.

“Y-yeah.”

Several students slowed as they passed. Conversations dipped.

Ryneth felt exposed. Too exposed. Static sat behind his fingers, itching to come out and shock everyone away.

And without Daven next to him, the air pressed differently against his shoulders.

“Ryneth, meet Archer,” Cyprian said. “Archer, this is Ryneth. Daven’s—” He let out an uncomfortable chuckle and gestured beside him, where a ginger-haired man with freckles stood. “I told you about him.”

“So you’re the guy who makes the best tiganos on Helion?”

Archer pushed his fingers through his hair and offered a small, almost apologetic smile. “Apparently that’s my defining trait now.”

Cyprian snorted softly. “You do. They’re the best.”

“Tell that to Aviel. He’d probably eat me alive.”

“You have Helianth to protect you.”

Archer laughed awkwardly, color rising in his cheeks. “Fuck off.”

“Come on, you know it’s true.”