He stared at their blurred bodies beyond the thundering sheet of water. “Noses are easy to break.”
“You sound like Geemee. He’s all about peace through physical mutilation. Not that Neenee allows him to enact Gottwa reprimands.”
“I’ve always held your uncle in high esteem, but I might actually like him more for it now.”
I rolled my eyes. “Let’s forget about breaking noses for now and concentrate on making me look capable.”
Remo reeled me back into his body. “Make you look capable? Amara, you’re not some delicate, prissy courtier.”
“You used to think I was.”
“No. I never thought that.” His irises darkened. “I knew you could hold your own against any fae or human. I protected you, because—”
“It was your job.” I fluttered my feet to stay afloat.
“Because I could.”
Sighing, I palmed the slope of his shoulder and bumped my nose into his. “You can’t seal me in a box for my protection. You have to learn to trust me. To trust that that I can take care of myself.”
“I do trust you. It’s everyone else I don’t trust.”
“Trust me to hold my own against those you don’t trust.”
“Fine. But if I’m around—”
“You’re always around.”
A smile started on his lips. “If I’m around, I’m intervening.”
“Fine.” We sealed our deal with a quick peck on the lips, then glided through the waterfall toward the strange assortment of prisoners waiting for us.
34
The Apple
Iwasn’t sure if I would ever be able to get rid of the smell of raw meat and sickly-sweet hide. The reek of it was on my clothes and skin, inside my nose and on my tongue. Although it no longer made my stomach clench, I hoped I would never again need to scrape a pelt clean or hew through bone and sinew.
Although Remo had been hesitant to let me work on thetigri, saying the others weren’t around, that I didn’t have to prove anything to anyone, I insisted, threatening to create my own knife from my dust if he didn’t share the machete.
“Brought you guys something to tie up the meat.” Kingston emerged from a yellow thicket, brandishing a liana. He’d shed his undershirt and had replaced his shorts with a pair of black ones that were discolored in places but which seemed dry. Lucky him . . .
Scratch that. I didn’t envy him. He’d gotten devoured by the vamp beetles.
Although his stings weren’t dribbling blood, they’d left welts on one side of his face and along one of his arms. When we’d emerged from the waterfall, he was sprawled on the beach like a starfish. Kiera had kicked a spear his way, but he told her he was in too much pain to help. Sure, I’d only sufferedonebite, and sure, it hurt, but he was being awfully dramatic. Not that I expected anything more from the faerie who’d only ever lifted a finger to shoot his dust into the face of people who bored him.
He dropped the liana beside me.
Here I’d hoped this place might’ve changed him for the better but apparently not. “Still can’t help out?”
“I’m in too much pain.” Kingston’s brown eyes roved over the navy tunic top Remo had set to dry on a branch beside us. “You should hang up that catsuit of yours, Amara. You don’t want to catch a cold.”
I wiggled my wrist where the black Infinity gleamed uselessly. “The rest of my wardrobe’s not exactly accessible right now.”
He stared at the bracelet, which reminded me that he’d died before Neverrians were outfitted with them.
“I’m sure no one would mind if you walked around naked. Especially now that you’re all grown up.” The way he looked me over turned my insides to ice.
“The fuck is wrong with you?” Remo growled. “She’s your niece!”
