“Impossible,” he said, but he took a few steadying breaths in a pathetic attempt to do as she ordered.
“Hold her still on that side.”
Javi’s glassy eyes stared down at her. He placed a hand above her heart, the other against her forearm, and pinned her to the ground. His hands trembled, his concern palpable.
Risa shrugged him off for a moment to fish out the handkerchief. “Your hair is flat.”
He barked out a laugh. Then he pressed his lips into a thin line, as if disappointed in himself. “You’re impossibly rude even at the most inappropriate times.” But the trembling stopped.
Before she could blink, the Wolf grabbed the handkerchief, stuffed it back into her mouth, and pulled her injured limb upward.A small pop burst in her ears as her bone returned to its socket, immediate relief flooding through her.
The Wolf let her catch her breath for a moment.
Javi did not. He hovered over her, eyebrows pinched together. “Are you all right?”
The fact that it wasn’t the first time he’d asked her this did not bode well.
She spit out the handkerchief. It came away damp and rumpled, landing in a wet slop in her palm.
“Don’t sound so worried. You’ll make me think you care.”
He dropped his hand away from her, taking his heat with him, leaving her chilled despite the balmy air. “And we couldn’t have that.”
Risa faced the Wolf, wet handkerchief balled up in a fist. “I’ll wash it.”
“Please do.”
And then, because that was not enough, Risa mumbled, “Thank you.”
“Of course!” the Wolf said, beaming, a genuine smile splitting her face. Without her hood, she appeared younger, sounded sweeter, the rough years she’d spent as an outlaw sliding right off. But staring at her made Risa’s head buzz. The Wolf’s face turned blurry around the edges, as if she were underwater. The only thing that remained sharp was her livid, angry scar.
“Javi.”
The prince hummed. “Yes?”
“Describe the Wolf.”
Her words made the Wolf retreat. She hunched over, hiding her face from view, and the buzzing ceased.
“You’re not jealous, are you?” Javi gave a nervous smile. “Or are you upset she tried to kill me? That was a few hours ago.”
Risa struggled to sit up, even with Javi’s hand at her back. “Humor me.”
He snuck a glance at the Wolf. Surprise flitted across his face as he leaned closer to her.
“I—I can’t.”
The Wolf reared back farther, away from his scrutiny.
“Her face is strange.”
Inkling confirmed, Risa nodded. Peeking through her eyelashes, she could almost make out the other half of the Wolf’s beautiful visage through the magical shroud that veiled her. An upturned eye, an unmarred cheek, a mole at her temple. All before the image went fuzzy.
She knew what this was. Felt it prickle over her skin like a warning.
The Wolf was cursed.
It was obvious now. The constant tickle of magic. The change in her voice when she didn’t wear her hood. The way Risa’s stomach twisted every time she stared at the girl for too long.
