The broken warbler was left speechless at the literal glow of Sanshoku’s eyes, the way she held herself. His muzzle raised with her own. Rambaldi swallowed, icy eyes meeting Sanshoku’s gaze if she was looking into his orbs; he could feel the koi worming her way past his barriers and curling into him. He could sense her vines and her leaves swishing. The cool Ranjord air, salty and fresh, blew around them. He could feel it in his fur and in his wings, chilling him. With this, he finally found courage to answer Sanshoku. “I once had my heart broken. I’m . . . not keen to have it happen again.” But he and Ember wouldn’t have worked out anyway. She was too volatile; too emotional. Too fiery.

“So tell me when you’re gonna let me in.”