“If you didn’t say that every time you were sick, I would be tempted to believe you,” he countered.
“You’ve given me more than enough.”
Zarrek’s expression soured watching them. He shucked off his boots and walked to a nearby divan, sitting on the edge and setting his forearms on his knees. The soft structure groaned beneath his massive weight.
“If you’re going to flirt, do it while I’m gone,” he grumbled. “Do you want to hear my updates or don’t you?”
Auryn turned to him, her hand on Kailorien’s chest. Not as a gesture of affection, but as a barrier. “Of course we want to hear it, Zarrek. Please. Tell us what’s happened these last two days.”
“The Reskala are deployed. Civilians are being moved to the Temples. Selen and the Prismatum are sending aid. The Solutus cell responsible was eliminated the night the bombing happened. Now it’s quiet. No horns. No more signs of them.”
Auryn’s brows drew tight. “And the Han?”
“It’s leveled,” Zarrek said, blunt as a hammer. “Countless dead.”
Kailorien’s thumb traced idly over Auryn’s wrist. His voice floated to her through the Bond.You don’t need more grief added to your plate.
You’re leaving something out.
He exhaled.The Artisan Halls were hit hardest. Few survivors.
Auryn’s lips pressed thin. Out loud, she asked, “What is being done for the displaced Crafters?”
“Temporary quarters in the Commons,” Kailorien answered.
“Kail, that doesn’t bode well. The People in the Commons are already restless from their temples being used as dumping grounds for the sick. This is going to cause unrest.”
Zarrek scoffed. “Unrest can only happen if your will isn’t tied to a magical leash.”
“The Flaeme doesn’t trample the People’s will,” Auryn argued.
“Just numbs it,” Zarrek added.
Auryn frowned.
“Don’t look so offended, little star. You’re not the one pulling the strings behind that magic.” He raised a brow. "Don't look so put out. You couldn't stop it if you tried. The Flaeme and its magic is beyond even your meddling."
Kailorien gestured in warning. “Zar, don’t be so harsh. She’s recovering.”
“I’malwaysrecovering,” Auryn complained. “If you try to pivot around that, you’ll be dancing to a tune that’s impossible to follow.”
Kailorien glanced at her.Are you alright? You sound bitter.
Because I am. I hate this body at times. Hate discovering new ways to be weak inside of it.
You aren’t weak.
Auryn squeezed his hand. “Have any other Districts been affected?”
“No,” Zarrek said. “The blast didn’t make it past inter-District containment.”
As Zarrek began explaining the logistical breakdown of how the Reskala were managing survivors, Kailorien noticed Auryn's awkward posture. Without interrupting, he reached down, pulled one of the smaller cushions closer, and slid it under her knees. His hand lingered there a beat longer than needed, thumb brushing her calf before returning to rest on the divan’s arm.
She didn’t look at him, but her shoulders eased. “Was the weapon retrieved?”
“We have the core,” Zarrek confirmed. “Not much left.”
Enough to investigate, I hope.Auryn looked at Kailorien.
