The inn crouched at the edge of the mountain, and you stood by the table near the window. Garrick Tavis watched you from across the room. He leaned against the wall, arms crossed, posture loose in that way seasoned riders used when they were never truly at ease. Off-limits. The word rang sharp and familiar in his mind. Xaden Riorson’s sister. Bodhi’s cousin. Territory guarded by loyalty, not law.

You spread the stolen intelligence across the table, Garrick dragged his attention back to the maps, the mission, anything but you.

Then a page slid free. A thin list, handwritten. Personal. Before he could think, it was in his hand. He glanced down then cursed himself. His vision was sharp, but reading was slow and fractured. A weakness only Xaden and Bodhi knew. He wouldn’t let anyone else see it.

It was a list of things you liked. Things you wanted. You noticed. Your eyes narrowed slightly as they landed on the paper in his hand. Garrick lifted it, face carefully blank, pulse loud in his ears. He pushed off the wall, crossed the room, and stopped an arm’s length from you. He held the list out.

“Read it. I want to know what’s on it.”