Bryant didn't sleep at all the night they found Kaye. He tried, but worry wouldn't leave him, and he flew up to Celeste's cave well before the priestesses sang up the sun.

Celeste was awake too, and put her finger to her lips as Bryant landed. "I just got her back to sleep."

"She woke?" Bryant took a step towards Kaye, but Celeste stopped him.

"It's best that you weren't here. It went poorly, and she needs her sleep."

Bryant glanced at Celeste and his heart sank at the pity in her eyes. She had always been careful not to look at him that way before—it was the one thing he truly loved about her—and he knew that whatever happened at the Altar was going to send Kaye home.

He pushed past Celeste and knelt next to Kaye, careful not to wake her. Her lips were pulled down and her eyes moved behind her lids as if she was trapped in a nightmare. She was pale, and there were tracks down her cheeks from crying in her sleep. It broke his heart.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

"I thought…” He swallowed so he wouldn't begin crying. "I thought we had more time."

Celeste put her hand on his shoulder. "I’m sorry, Bryant, it is time for her to go."

"But she has a choice. She can choose to stay."

"I had to stop her from leaving. The Altar showed her Ian and Katrina, and she knows who Kaye Conal is."

"What?" Anger rose so fast in him that he turned on Celeste, surprised at himself. "That was not for you to tell."

"She knows only that Kaye Conal is the High Priestess. It is your duty to tell her the rest."

He couldn't tell her the rest. He couldn't bear to think of it himself. "I will," he bowed his head and turned away. "In time."

"You are running out of time."

Bryant couldn't help it—he reached out and touched Kaye's hand. She stirred and blinked a few times before she smiled. "Bryant." She squeezed his hand and closed her eyes again, still under the effects of Celeste's energy.

"Hello Love," he whispered and kissed her forehead. "I am glad to see you safe."

"Mmmm." Her lips twitched up in a smile again and he pushed the hair back from her forehead.

"Go back to sleep. I will not wake you again."

She nodded and stilled, her eyes no longer twitching beneath the lids. Bryant didn't know how he was going to tell her the truth about Kaye Conal.

He was still holding her hand when Elett woke, and the priestesses made their way outside to sing up the sun. He put his head down on the cot and fell asleep.