Violet ran to him. He scooped her up, twirling Violet before setting her down. He nestled his face into the crook of her neck, inhaling deeply.

“I missed you,” he said.

She pulled away just enough to meet his gaze, hungering for the safety he always gave. “I can’t believe you’re really here. I’ve been so worried about you. I saw you fall at Toreva, then the dead carried me off and I—”

He pressed a finger against my lips. “I’m fine, Violet. I wanted to ...