“You’re the most precise.”
“Most precise? Have you suddenly forgotten you can balance a sword on the tip of your finger without cutting yourself? You’re the most precise and steady-handed.”
The two of them bicker back and forth for a second before Riven lets out an ear-piercing whistle.
“You two argue like a grumpy old married couple. It’s exhausting.” We all stare at him. He’s so full of shit. “I’m going to pick the length. Amick, separate her hair into sections and make sure they’re even. Creed, get us something to cut with, then Kyzen, you’re doing the cutting. Bam. That’s the plan.”
We sit silently for a second, then collectively let out a hum of agreement.
“You all get on my nerves. My plans are always spectacular.”
“Right.” We all chuckle and he rolls his eyes.
They waste no time doing as he said, though.
Amick parts my hair into sections slowly, running his fingers through the strands until every knot is untangled. He places two sections over my shoulders, and I believe he splits two more against my back.
After running his hands through countless more times, he meets my gaze.
“Ready,Mysenta?”
I breathe.
“Yeah. Yeah, I am.”
My eyes drift shut as he lays a kiss on my forehead. I give myself a moment to bask in his comfort even after he moves away from me. When I blink them back open, they collide with a stunning mismatch set.
“You’re going to love it.”
“I already do because it’s you four doing it.”
He smiles, giving me a wink as he pinches the strands between his fingers. They lie a few inches below my collarbone, and he nods.
“That’s probably two feet. You want to go longer first and see if you like it?”
I shake my head.
“Nope. Where you picked is where I want it.”
“Okay then. Come on, Kyzen. Do your thing.”
He scoots over, letting Kyzen situate himself shoulder to shoulder with him. He releases a deep breath as he looks me in the eyes.
“I’ve got you, gorgeous.”
“I know you do.”
He raises a dagger—my dagger—and exhales one more time.
“Wait,” Creed says, and everyone freezes.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
He moves the other two out of his way as he kneels in front of me, holding my second dagger. His fingers wrap around my wrist, and he lays the handle in my palm.
“You’re putting an end to a large era of your life. You’re shedding away darkness that’s held you down. You need to make the first cut, my endling.”
A shuddering breath pours out of me, and I swallow the lump in my throat.
