Leo abandons me to Callan with nothing more than a cheerful wave as he skips away. My own feet shift to follow, keeping my back to the darkness on the horizon. I’m not ready to look at it again yet, to think on the implications of what they call the Never. “I should see if I can help.”
“Wait.” The rough word strokes over my skin, leaving pebbles behind. “We have a few hours before we reach the Never. I can take that copper out for you.”
My body stills. Frowning, I look at him. A light breeze curves around us, ruffling his hair. The humor I saw a moment ago has vanished, leaving something which might be exhaustion behind in the circles beneath his eyes. “Why would you…how would you do that?”
His eyes flicker and swirl. “It’s a small thread of maegis. I can use it to nudge the copper free. It might sting a little, but you’d be free of it. As for the why…”
Callan swallows. I find myself holding my breath. “You said it hurts you.”
“Sometimes.” I study him, searching for the angle.
“Reason enough.” His hands clench at his sides. “The distraction would be welcome, in truth. These hours before crossing never go quickly. This would help.”
I don’t know why I hesitate. I should want—dowant—the copper gone. “Here?”
He frowns slightly. “You should lie down. The cabin would work best.”
I run my hands over my pants, wondering if I’m imagining the sweat that prickles them. “All right, then.”
Do not be a child, Selene.
But my hands move, scratching absently at my bandage-free wrist as we turn together for the stairs. Callan nods to the others as we pass. “We’ll be back shortly.”
Turning, I catch Sol’s eyes on me before following Callan into the corridor. They’re narrowed in the now familiar glare, and this time I return it in full, lifting my chin.
I’ve done nothing to deserve his condemnation, yet I receive it anyway. I focus on that instead, on the irritation that burns the back of my throat instead of the quiet rasp of Callan’s breathing as he steps inside the cabin, holding the door open.
I don’t move. “Where do you want me?”
Callan tilts his head toward the bed. “I can’t promise this will not hurt at all. I’d rather you were somewhere… the bed would be easier.”
Move.
Move.
My steps jerk as I walk over and slowly settle myself down on my stomach. Grabbing the feathered pillow, I tuck it beneath my cheek. “Like this?”
His back vanishes into the bathroom, and I listen to the trickle of water from the jug as he washes his hands. Called words filter back to me. “How long has the copper been there?”
The remembered feel of hands pinning me in place, of bucking against the cold grip of too-tight fingers, pulls a sour taste to my mouth. My stomach roils as he steps back inside. “Around eight years, I believe.”
A muscle tics in his jaw, but Callan only nods. “May I take a look?”
Shifting over in silent agreement, the bed indents as he settles beside me. He doesn’t move as I feel his eyes studying my wings. My body stiffens more with each second the silence stretches out.
“Selene.” His voice is soft. “We can leave it.”
I shake my head, not looking back at him. “Just do it, Edgeborn.”
“You’re shaking,” he says quietly. “I don’t want to add to whatever thoughts are in your head right now.”
My cheek moves, just enough for me to glimpse his side-profile. “You cannot make them any worse. Do not think so highly of yourself.”
My words draw the ghost of a smile to his face. Callan shifts, and I press my face back into the pillow, breathing in the faint musk of what I’m learning is his preferred scent. Earthy. Almost a slight sweetness, with a hint of fresh lemon.
I focus on that, on picking apart the notes in Callan’s scent as his hands settle carefully against my spine. He runs a finger down the membrane, and I shiver. “They did not do a neat job.”
Tightly controlled fury rests in his words, a contrast to the gentle trace of his hand. I swallow. “I fought them. At every step. I am not surprised if it is messy.”
