"I'm glad," said Soma simply. How much of Lingormr's tale was actually true, she didn't know, but he was clearly remembering something when he spoke. She had to wonder if the girl he was talking about actually existed, or if that was the part that was made up.

She offered a smile of her own, taking a deep, slow breath and gauging the pain. Tolerable, for now. Probably not worth risking another dose of ketamine.

She only hesitated for a moment, but the eagerness in her eyes was obvious, despite her exhaustion. "If you don't mind," she said, then just as quickly: "You don't have to on my account. I know you're tired."