My thumb strokes her cheek. “I need to make sure you’re fine with this, love.”
That there will be no fear in her eyes, and never because of anything we do in this room. I hesitate. “It’s a lot to take in.”
“Choose,” Kaelen says quietly behind us. “Choose someone for your first time, if it’s something you want to do. We’ll watch.”
I frown at him. “You’re so damned bossy.”
His eyes are dark. “In the bedroom? Yes.”
There’s silence as we all stare at him. And Darian chokes. He shoves his fist against his mouth, stifling his laughter. “Sorry.”
Lyra’s shoulders curve in. “Oh.”
“What?” Kaelen demands, looking between them. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
He looks so concerned. I suck my cheeks in.
“Nothing,” Darian gasps. “I think I might be a little… lightheaded?”
Lyra slaps her hand over her face. I notice her shoulders trembling. Taking a breath, I stare hard at my lap.
“Eres.”
No. I shake my head in absolute refusal. “Ask Darian.”
His whole body is shaking, his cheeks turning red before he blows out a breath and glares at the ceiling. His hiss has Kaelen craning his head. “What?”
Lyra has tears running down her face, the blush in her face deepening every time she looks at Kaelen.
He narrows his eyes, and I clear my throat. “I don’t want to be indelicate, Kae. You have a little…,”
I point. “Well. You have a littleDarianon your cheek.”
Howls.All three of us break in sheer, childish, glorious laughter at the expression on Kaelen’s face. His expression freezes. “I walked upstairs like this. We saidgoodnightto people.”
“Stop.” Darian holds his stomach. “Please.”
“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me.” Kaelen points at Lyra. “I expected better from you, witch.”
She attempts to nod, but she makes eye contact with me at exactly the wrong time.
“Honestly,” Kaelen growls. He stands, yanking off his shirt and wiping his face before he tosses it at Darian, who catches it with a grin. His face is wreathed in exasperation, but a hint of amusement lingers. “The three of you together are going to give me a headache.”
“You could always tie the three of us up,” I suggest. Lyra and Darian’s head swivel to me. “He likes to use his erevas in bed. Think of all the pent-up frustration you could work out on us.”
Kaelen has frozen in place. “Don’t tempt me. Not tonight.”
“Why not?” Lyra asks curiously. And then her face flushes scarlet. “Oh.”
“Not tonight.” Kaelen’s face flickers before it softens, and I see the twinge of pain he tries to hide. “But we will.”
It feels like a lie. There are so many things we’re never going to do. This night might be all we get. It seems likely, if the final words from the scouts are accurate. There’s nobody left in the Veilspire tonight, though. Only the rampart guards, watching for an approach.
Everyone is making the most of their final night.
Lyra
The same feeling of realization currently knotting my stomach is reflected on their faces.
