Seraphina went to her side and looked at Ryu with her round liquid pool of ocean eyes. "Which one are you thinking more?"
". . ." Ryu was silent, couldn't comprehend why Seraphina was asking about it.
But he answered in truth, "Ferris.
Seraphina's eyes rounded like a gawker who heard juicy gossip. "Not your mate?"
"There are certain circumstances that I'm thinking about Ferris more than Cecily."
"Who is she in your life, by the way?"
"She's . . . she was the one who taught me everything there was to know in Septverden. She taught me to write and read. Taught me about magic and skills. I lost count on how many times she saved me. Without her, I wouldn't be here today."
Seraphina blinked slowly. There was something about Ryu's voice when he said Ferris's name. He might not know it, but Seraphina heard it. His usual clear and crisp voice was turning mellow, and the hard contours of his face softened as his eyelids dropped.
