Liam stepped back.

It wasn’t abrupt or rude, but it was clear. One careful step, then another, until there was a noticeable stretch of space between him and Daniel. His expression remained polite, but the discomfort sat openly in his eyes and in the slight tension of his shoulders. The intensity of the hug, the tears, the way Daniel had clung to him like a drowning man, it had been too much. Too fast. Too heavy for someone who had no memory of any of it.

Daniel’s hands fell back to his sides. He didn’t try to close the distance again.

The village chief, who had been watching the exchange...