A quiet chuckle left him. "I figured Hanae's warmth pressed a little too close for someone like you, who never let anyone treat you like a fragile girl. Back in Thalorind, if someone dared treat you like this, you would've snapped. But snapping at a primordial is not wise, so you just tensed up the moment she touched your hand. Still, are you really willing to let this chance slip by? We may not return here for a very, very long time. If the Heavenly Restriction will affect me as well, we won't return until we leave Iskaris."
She stayed silent, gaze fixed ahead.
Quinlan continued. "Primordials everywhere. Warriors who have held their edge for millions of years. They are ready to teach mortals again for the first time since history fractured."
Her shoulders shifted.
The tattoos along her arms flared brighter for a moment, then dimmed again.
"Quinlan."
He paused. His brow lifted higher. This was the first time Black Fang addressed him so directly.
"Yes?"
"I am grateful."
