Owen nodded. “The rest of the crew heads out tomorrow, but we’re leaving at dawn. Pack light, but smart. Thank you for your diligence, Miss Banner. Mr. Blume.” He leveled a cold glance at Cirrus but said nothing more.
* * *
Vivienne sorted through her pack,mentally noting what was salvageable after Enyo’s raid. Most of her belongings had been scattered, ruined, or stolen.
“Hey, Banns,” Cirrus interrupted, fidgeting with the hem of his tunic. “Things got a little intense today?—”
“Thanks toyou,” she lashed, not looking up. “Why did you challenge everything I said?”
He sighed. “That’s not what I was doing. I was trying to support you.”
She scoffed, shoving items into her pack. “I didn’t bring a dictionary, but I can assure youundermineanddiscreditmean the opposite of support.”
“I challenged you to make sure you’d thought through everything and were making the right calls. By explaining everything, everyone got to see how incredible and competent you are.”
Vivienne spun to face him, hands on her hips. “I don’t need your mind games to prove I’m competent, asshole. And even if thatwasyour plan, you could’ve chosen literallyanyother way to do it.”
“I wanted you to show off. To show them how passionate you are.”
She squeezed her eyes shut, willing herself not to explode.I can’t believe he’s doubling down. He’s really trying to spin this.“Lewis already knows. I don’t have to prove a damn thing to Thorne. So either you were trying to get under my skin, or you don’t think I can do this. Neither of which is helpful.”
She turned back to her packing, dismissing him.
Cirrus stepped closer, his voice gentle, fingers trailing through her hair. “Banns?—”
“Don’t.” She yanked away. “You don’t get to invent some method or secret plan to weasel your way out of trouble after acting like an ass.”
His jaw tensed. “You think I would do that?”
She threw up her hands. “Youalwaysadjust the narrative to suit your needs.”
Cirrus let out a sharp laugh, his patience gone. “And you think your stubbornness helps anyone?”
“Viv, I brought those almanacs you—” Lewis came to an awkward halt and looked between them. “Oh, am I interrupting?”
Cirrus shot him a glare. “No. We’re finished.”
Vivienne exhaled, delivering the final blow. “We have been for years.”
Cirrus huffed and stormed past Lewis, disappearing into the camp.
Vivienne turned to Lewis, her anger subsiding. “I didn’t ask for any almanacs.”
Lewis bit his lip. “Yeah, but I’m guessing you didn’t want theentirecrew sitting front-row for that disaster.”
She rubbed her temples, fighting a forming headache. “Thanks. The last thing I need is everyone thinking I’m a hothead.”
Lewis made a popping sound with his lips. “But youarea hothead…”
She shot him a playful glare. “Doesn’t mean I have to go out of my way to confirm it.”
Lewis scanned her pack. “You good for tomorrow?”
“I guess so. I’m trying to balance traveling light with actually being prepared.”
“Thorne’s handling camp gear, Cirrus has tents and navigation, I’ve got food, water, and books we might need.”
Vivienne sighed. “Are you packing anything to keep my ex from driving me insane?”
