The first thing Keefe noticed when Silveny's hooves touched the ground was Sophie Elizabeth Foster.

With her knees folded into her chest, she lay asleep against Calla's panakes tree. Her eyes were closed, but he suspected they would compliment her red tunic well.

The color always looked good on her — but then again, so did everything.

His suspicion was confirmed when Sophie stumbled to her feet at the sudden noise, her eyes flying open. It might have been the haze from riding Silveny, but he could've sworn she was wearing makeup.

Her startled expression, however, was what most concerned him. As he hopped off the mama Alicorn and made his way over, he asked her, "Is everything okay?"

Sophie nodded. "Yeah, I was just . . . waiting for you — and I was starting to think you weren't coming back."

Hating the fear in her voice, Keefe fidgeted with his cape. "Sorry. I wanted to see what would happen if I had Silveny fly me around in the void while I talked in my mom's voice. I thought maybe if I managed to say at least a couple of the right words while I was in there, whatever she hid would come crashing toward me."

"Did it work?"

"Not particularly. And in case you were wondering, the void never gets any more exciting. It's just darkness and more darkness — and oh, hey, even more darkness! I'm sure Tammy Boy would love it, but man, I'm glad to see color again." Unable to help himself, his eyes shifted to the vibrant red of her tunic, then quickly away when Sophie noticed.

She blushed. "You could've taken me with you, you know. Or at least left me another note telling me where you went."

They both froze.

This was the first time she'd addressed his letter, and the mere thought of it had Keefe's heart racing.

Trying to keep his composure, he dragged a hand through his wind-blown hair and chewed his lower lip.

Keefe could hardly meet her eyes, so his gaze strayed to her lips when she said, "Do you want to go for a walk?"

He forced his gaze elsewhere as he agreed. The last thing he needed was Sophie noticing him staring at her lips.

"Are we heading anywhere in particular?" he asked to distract himself as she led him into the pastures.

"Not really. I just need to move. I've been stuck in one place for way too long."

"I know the feeling. And if you don't have a specific spot in mind, then follow me — I found the coolest place the other night after training with Grady."

He led her into the grove and pointed out which of the strange, bulbous trees he'd tried sleeping in. When he told her about his favorite — one with tiny glowworms that covered the walls with flecks of bright blue light — Sophie turned a light shade of green.

When she said, "Sounds amazing," Keefe fought a smirk. He could tell the idea didn't appeal to her, but that was okay.

She wasn't the one who had to sleep out here, anyway.

While he was mulling over his thoughts — most of them worries — Sophie's toe clipped the edge of the root, sending her toppling forward into his back. His breath tightened as she clung to his shoulders to steady herself.

"You okay?" he asked when she didn't let go. "Did you hurt your ankle?"

"No. Just . . . uh . . . getting my bearings."

Something about the way she said it made Keefe doubt her words. Even without feeling her emotions — which had not been one of his strengths recently.

"Will this help?" With a breath of courage, Keefe took one of her hands, shifting positions so they walked side by side. He hoped Sophie assumed he was trying to keep her clumsiness at bay. Even if that was one of his intentions, the other included his own desire to be close to her.

He'd missed her while he'd been in the forbidden cities.

Like, really missed her.

"It's so weird," Sophie said, interrupting Keefe's thoughts. "I'm so used to having you feeling everything I'm feeling. It's strange not having you call me out on it all the time."

"Tell me about it," he grumbled.

"Sorry — I didn't mean —"

"It's okay, Foster. I know what you meant. And just so you know, I can still pick up on certain things — especially from you. Pretty sure your emotions will always be stronger than everyone else's."

"Really?" Sophie smiled when he nodded.

Keefe forced himself not to linger on that pretty smile that made his head fuzzy.

"I just . . . wish I could get back to how it used to be," Keefe said quietly. "It's hard not getting the whole picture. Makes me want to not trust anything I'm feeling — if that makes sense."

Sophie seemed lost in thought after that, and the lack of emotions she elicited made him nervous. She was one of his favorite people — his very favorite, probably — and not knowing what she felt was scary.

The last thing he wanted was his feelings for her to ruin their relationship just because she didn't reciprocate them.

Although he'd love if —

Keefe shut the thought down before it could fully form.

To distract himself, he pulled back a curtain of vines and guided her into a small clearing. "Here we go."

"Oh wow," Sophie breathed, craning her neck to take it all in.

Keefe watched her wear the same awe he had worn his first time here. Judging from her expression, Sophie seemed to like the woven canopy of vines and flowers. Even the glowing toadstools nudged a smile onto her lips.

Keefe forced himself to stare at the scenery and not the blonde girl beside him.

"Did you know this place existed?" he asked.

"Flori mentioned it — but I haven't had the chance to go looking for it. She was trying to convince Sandor to bring Grizel here for a date, since it's so romantic."

Keefe suddenly forgot how to breathe.

And the blush on Sophie's cheeks told him that she hadn't meant to say that.

. . . But she had anyway.

Keefe's mind became awfully dangerous. The hopes he'd harbored for months — even years — started to form before he forced them back. He couldn't let himself dream about any of the possibilities. He'd just be heartbroken afterward.

But those were his thoughts before Sophie tightened her grip on his hand, closed her eyes, and said, "I'm glad I got to come here with you. Even if it was kind of an accident."

Keefe sucked in a breath, but Sophie continued before he could even muster up something to say in response to that.

"I know you said you got over a bunch of things after you left the Lost Cities, and I'm sure that probably includes the stuff you told me in your note. And I know you said you're not looking for a relationship right now — and I get it." Keefe had to remind himself to breathe as Sophie added, "But . . . it makes me a little sad. Mostly because it means I missed my change to be with this really incredible guy who makes me laugh and always finds ways to be there for me when I need him. And that's find. It's my fault — and I'm not trying to, like . . . guilt you into liking me again."

Keefe couldn't believe this. Sophie had finally realized he liked — maybe even loved — her, and she assumed that he'd gotten over it by living in a fancy hotel for a few weeks?

Unbelievable.

The urge to spill every thought he'd ever had about her almost overwhelmed him. But Sophie saved him the humiliation by finishing her speech with, "I just felt like you should know why I might get a little awkward around you right now. I'm trying to figure out how to go back to seeing you as a friend, and it's not easy, because I'd just started realizing how much I care about you."

His head hazy with too much hope and disbelief, Keefe watched Sophie closely. Her eyes were squeezed tight, making him realize just how terrifying that must have been for her. He'd never had the courage to tell her how he felt, but somehow Sophie could do it after just realizing her own feelings?

Yeah — there was no way he deserved her.

But if Sophie wanted him — if she really, truly did — then he was taking his opportunity.

"Sophie?" he whispered, stepping closer.

When her eyes remained closed, Keefe said her name again.

He was still breathless when her big brown eyes slid up to meet his. He was nervous and scared and . . .

Happy.

But that happiness was a bare glimmer.

Because even if this was going to happen — even if he convinced Sophie to choose him — things weren't going to be easy.

"You realize," Keefe breathed, his voice a little unsteady, "that if we do this . . . it could get very messy."

Sophie looked away, kicking her toe against one of the flowing toadstools. "Because I'm unmatchable?"

Keefe couldn't believe she thought he'd care about that. "No — the Council can feed their match lists to the gorgodon for all I care. But . . . I wasn't lying when I said my mom will try to use anyone I care about to hurt me."

"Yeah, but I'm pretty sure I'm already at the top of your mom's list of targets," Sophie reminded him. "And I'm ready for her."

She patted the holster of her dagger.

Keefe caught her hand before it returned to her side, cradling her palm in his. "That might not be enough to stop her."

"It might not," Sophie agreed. "But I'm not afraid of her. And I'm not going to let her control my life. So if she's the only reason —"

"I think we both know she's not," Keefe said, stepping close enough that his breath was on her cheeks when he asked, "Would you like me to list off all the complications?"

Sophie shook her head.

Keefe couldn't keep his eyes off her. Although he knew the severity of this conversation, he couldn't help thinking about how beautiful she looked. Had she worn that red tunic just for him? And what about the panakes perfume he could smell?

He doubted she'd ever worn either for Fitz, which made him feel a little smug.

"All I care about is how you feel," Sophie whispered. "If you're only doing this"—she held up their clasped hands —"because you don't want to hurt my feelings —"

He twined their fingers together and shook his head. The pain that had weighed him down for so long was finally lifting, and he wasn't sure whether he wanted to laugh or cry. But for the moment, he told her, "Trust me — this is what I've wanted from the moment I first saw you, wandering through the halls in the middle of session covered in alchemy goo. I knew right away that I'd just met someone incredibly special — and every minute I've spent with you since then has proven how true that is. But is this really what you want?" He squeezed her hand, hoping she couldn't feel him shaking when he admitted, "I can't tell what you're feeling — and it's seriously terrifying."

Their gazes were connected for two very long seconds before Sophie tilted up on her toes and leaned forward. Before their lips could touch, though, she left a wisp of space just in case he changed his mind.

But space was the last thing he wanted right now. His lips tried but were unable to hide his smile as their lips touched for the first time. Despite how many occasions he'd pictured this moment, none of the daydreams quite lived up to the real thing.

Her lips were soft and just as sweet as he'd always expected, her hands gentle as they reacted for his face.

Keefe had always wondered if his first kiss would be awkward. Even though he put on a confident face, there were several things he doubted he would ever be good at. And since he had no experience, kissing was included.

But he must've been pretty okay, because Sophie didn't pull away. Although a little shy, she was a really good kisser.

She did have more experience than him, he supposed. But still.

He was the one to finally pull away, leaning back to study her. "You're okay, right? No regrets?"

She grinned. "Absolutely none."

Relief shed onto his lips. He didn't think he'd ever smiled that big — but it faded a little as he leaned his forehead against hers. "I don't want to mess this up," he whispered. "Please don't let me mess this up."

"I won't," Sophie promised, tilting her chin up.

And as she stole another quick kiss, Keefe didn't think he'd ever been happier.