The fire cracked, clear proof her magic was at work. Raevina reached for his ankles next, fingertips brushing his scarred skin as she pulled his pant leg up to examine the old wounds. She did the same to the other. “I don’t imagine you’re going to ask Arianna to heal these before tomorrow?”
“She’s got enough to worry about.”
Raevina clenched her jaw. “It’s not right that she can’t remember him. Especially now. If they were united …” She trailed off and Talon knew it was because she didn’t believe the words she’d almost spoken. The fact that if they were united, then maybe they’d stand a chance. But the truth was harsher.
Raevina retrieved the jar, set it on the arm of the couch, then stood. “It won’t heal them overnight, but it’ll take away the pain. I can’t imagine your comrades would want you impaired.”
His jaw flexed. Comrades. Right. They weren’t stationed on the same front. Once she left this room, he might never see her again. Once she walked out that door, everything he’d ever hoped for would be walking out with her.
“Tell me about him.”
She didn’t meet his gaze. “About who?”
“The one who died protecting you.”
“How do you know there was anyone at all?”
“Because I’m not a fool,” he said, echoing her earlier words back to her. “You loved him.” Her jaw worked. “You’re allowed to love.”
“I’m not.” Her voice hardened. “My father claims love is a weakness. Even the love of one’s comrades is perceived as a leader being too soft. In Fiadh, everything is about strength and strength alone. There is loyalty to your commander and the crown, but never love.”
“Was your father the one to do it?”
“No.” Sadness crept into her voice. “We kept our—we kept everything hidden. We were young and foolish.”
“Tell me about him.”
Raevina scoffed. “You really want to hear about my old flame?”
“I’d like to hear about you. Considering I might never get another chance.”
“How optimistic of you.” Talon waited, and she sighed before moving back to stand beside the fire, as if even those tiny embers brought her some semblance of comfort. Maybe he kept it lit because of her. “We were practically younglings. Barely a few years beyond developing our animal shifts. We were both warriors. We admired one another and thanks to our success, were often paired together for missions.” She waved a hand. “It’s the same story everyone has.” Again, Talon waited. Raevina’s jaw worked. “I tried to tell him love was a foolish thing, but eventually I gave in and let him sweep me away with thoughts and ideals and dreams.
“We were ambushed. I was fine. I could have handled myself without his intervention. But he—”
Talon stood. “He saved you.”
“He was an idiot. He could have lived for decades. Centuries. Instead, he threw it all away.” She turned to him, eyes misted over. “Do you know how fast someone dies when an arrow pierces their heart?”
“I do.” The truth of his words had her eyes widening, but Raevina looked away again. She moved back to the table and refilled her glass. She didn’t turn back around.
Talon approached cautiously. “Do you hate him for it?”
“Yes.”
“Can you forgive him?”
Her voice cracked. “Never.”
Talon smirked. “You know, if he were given a choice, I’m willing to bet he’d do it again.”
“Don’t speak about things you don’t know.”
“I do know.” He stopped beside her. “Because I’d do the same.”
“That’s just the bond talking.”
“Maybe.” He set his glass beside hers. Raevina finally looked at him. “Or maybe it’s more than that.”
