"The fish is fine," Damar claimed, his tone entirely casual but his arm tightening just a fraction around my waist. "Come, let me take you for a walk."
I didn't answer right away. I just kept staring at the doorway where Thalor had vanished.
The blue coral anchor on my wrist was practically throbbing against my pulse point, radiating a dull, aching heavy-heartedness that wasn't mine.
He really thinks he's just the backup plan, I thought, a sudden pang of guilt twisting in my chest.
"Go ahead, Damar," I murmured, gently patting his hand until he let go. "Get started on that northern stream. Try to catch more silver fish for me as well."
Damar looked at me, his emerald eyes scanning my face before he glanced toward the palace interior. He let out a low, accepting hiss.
"Don't stress yourself, Ari. It's bad for the little one." He kissed my cheek once more before gliding away to hunt down my bizarre arctic cravings.
