Kairos really hadn't changed at all since the last time I saw him. Same calm expression, same irritatingly composed aura—although this time, he was dirty.
I had the overwhelming urge to run up and hug him out of pure relief. Unfortunately, reality intervened. We were both filthy, sunburned, probably smelled like dried fish and bad decisions, and I wasn't about to make physical contact under those conditions.
"It's been a while," Kairos said, giving me a small, familiar smile.
I squinted at him, circling slightly like I was inspecting a suspicious artifact. "Don't tell me you were stuck on this island the whole time."
He nodded once.
…Of course he was.
I glanced toward the sea instinctively, half-expecting a giant fish to leap out and swallow him mid-conversation. Good. At least the Nautilith didn't decide to make this place its dining table.
My stomach chose that moment to betray me with a loud, pitiful growl.
