"Why."
Because I need to know when you're awake. Because I need to know when you move. Because every second I'm not watching you is a second someone could touch you and I wouldn't be there to remove their hands from their wrists.
"Because your ribs need rest."
"I'm fine."
She's not fine. I can see the way she's holding her weight. Favoring her left side. Breathing shallow. She's standing because staying still makes her feel trapped.
I understand that. I hate that I understand that.
The door opens.
Renan. He looks at me. Looks at her. His mouth does that thing– I want to cut off his face.
"Morning. You look like shit."
"Fuck off."
"The Hollow. Emergency session. Everyone's waiting." He leans against the doorframe. "The Houses are screaming about the breach. We need to coordinate before Coin does something dramatic."
I don't care about the Houses. I don't care about Coin.
There's a crumb at the corner of her mouth. Small. White. From what. When did she eat. Did someone bring her food while I was asleep. Who touched the plate she ate from. I want to cross the room and brush it away with my thumb. Put my thumb in her mouth after. See if she'd let me.
"Not now."
"It has to be now. Faith is drafting formal charges. War is watching to see which way we fall—"
"I said not now."
Renan's eyes flick to Iowyn. Back to me. "You're not coming because of her."
"I'm not coming because I don't care."
"You care about Discord surviving."
"Do I?"
Silence.
She's right there. Five feet away. I could cross that distance in two steps. Put my hand on her throat where the bruises are fading. Feel her pulse jump under my palm.
My hand grips the edge of the desk instead. The wood groans.
"Koshin." Renan's voice shifts. Lower. "This is actually important."
"So is she."
The words fall out. Honest. Stripped. His eyebrows go up. Iowyn goes still.
Good. Let them both know.
"Fine." Renan pushes off the doorframe. "Then bring her."
"What."
"Bring her to the meeting. She stays with you. Problem solved."
