She stopped mid-slice, whirling to face him. “I'm sorry. I knew you all were going to the river house, so I didn't think anyone would mind if I came up here, and-”
"It's fine. I came to retrieve something I forgot." The lie was smooth and cool, as he knew his face was. His shadows peered over his wings at her.
“Happy Solstice,” she said, as much a dismissal as it was a holiday blessing.
He snorted. “Are you kicking me out?”
Gwyn's teal eyes flashed with alarm. “No! I mean, I don't mind sharing the ring. I just ... I know you like to be alone.”
Her mouth quirked to the side, crinkling the freckles on her nose. “Is that why you came up here?”
Sort of. “I forgot something," he reminded her.
“At two in the morning?”
Pure amusement glittered in her stare. Better than the pain and grief he'd spied a moment before. So he offered her a crooked smile. “I can't sleep without my favorite dagger.”
"A comfort to every growing child."
I love how she showed her sassiness once Azriel showed his. I have a feeling Gwyn clocked Azriel lying in the first scene (nothing gets past her) but she was willing to let it go until Azriel's cheeky side came out. From then on? Instant call out.














