"So were you," I tell her quietly, keeping my eyes on my hands. Even if I had been fighting against letting her and anyone too close, I still had emotions that were unable to be completely suppressed. And I had missed her. She'd been one of the few constants in my life since I'd arrived here and despite all I'd done, she was still here.

"I'm -- I'm fine," I say and the lie immediately feels wrong. It hurts. It makes my stomach twist and turn over on itself. It makes me physically wince and I shake my head. "That's a lie. I'm not fine."

The truth, as hard as it is to admit, feels better. It makes me feel exposed, vulnerable, but it's just Raven and we're surrounded by my walls and nothing else.

"And you?" I ask, nodding at her. She'd been there to see Demetrius. I'd kissed her and pushed her away. I'd brought her close only to pull away when things got too close. "Are you all right?"