Tears welled up in my eyes. I couldn’t help it. I kept picturing that iron bar in his hand, but more than anything, I couldn’t unsee how he’d been treated at the hands of his father, how he had flinched at his nearness and those vile words. All that violence, and he could still be gentle with me.Chose to.
“Maybe next time,youcan take a turn in the ‘chained up and terrified for your life’ role,” I said, swiping at my eyes.
His fond smile was achingly genuine. “There’s not much I wouldn’t do for you.”
I sniffled, mortified to be crying in front of everyone again. “So, I’m not some annoying pest?”
“Sylv, you’re everything. And more family to me than almost anyone I’ve ever met.”
“Yeah. You too,” I croaked.
That look he was giving me pinned me, a storm of affection that burned at the memories of the cold, unfeeling glances he’d shot me during the transport.
And suddenly, I couldn’t bear it—the idea of not having him in my life. I needed my friend back, even with oceans of hurt between us. Aches that would mend in time.
I extended my hand to him. Cliff’s eyes widened slightly, but he put his hand next to me, brushing his knuckles against my much smaller one.
“It’s good to have you back,” I said.
“Very touching,” Rowan drawled. “But you’ll forgive me if I sleep with a defense rune on our door.”
“Don’t listen to him,” Zia said, hastily wiping her tears. “Truly, there’s no need for an apology, hunter.”
“It’s Cliff,” he corrected.
Her rosy lips curved slightly. “Right. Cliff, then. Look, I won’t lie, our first impression was… Well, you—”
“Scared the daylights outta you?”
“Terrified theshitout of us, I was going to say,” Zia finished.
I turned sharply—profanity, fromher? Even Cliff seemed disarmed, if not thoroughly amused.
“But you saved us,” Zia went on, rising to her feet. She fanned her wings, putting the healed membrane on proud display. “We have our lives and freedom back because of what you did. That’s worth everything.”
She beamed at him, and I wondered if she had any possible notion of what a gift she was giving him—to provide evidence that he wasn’t cursed and hated.
“I wish there’d been a cleaner way,” Cliff muttered.
Zia scoffed, folding her arms over her chest. “You’re not making a big enough fuss out of this. Theatrics aside, you risked your life for us. For people you don’t even know.”
“What, are you gonna order me a damn parade?” Cliff drawled.
“Maybe.”
He scoffed out a soft laugh, rolling his eyes.
Zia walked closer to him. “You’re still hurt, aren’t you?”
“I’m fine,” Cliff said—words he’d recited to me countless times in our journey together.
“Don’t lie. I can feel it clouding you. A sharp, aching pain.” She narrowed her attention to his abdomen, a furrow creasing between her eyes. “If you remove your shirt, I can tend to it.”
“I’m flattered, princess, but you should save your magic.”
Her cheeks flushed. “Don’t call me that. It’s justZia, please. And don’t be a child, remove your shirt.”
“Are youorderingme?”
