Fyn’s jaw locked. “Something’s wrong, isn’t it?”
“The only thing that’s wrong is how close you’re standing to me right now.” The feeling flooded me again. It was impossible to ignore.
“You’re wincing. And there’s this look in your eyes… like you’re?—”
“Annoyed?” I snapped.
He pulled back from me. “Would it kill you to be honest with me?”
I pushed past him walking down the only hall that seemed vaguely familiar. As I came to where several intersected, I realized they were all similar.
“Since there’s nothing wrong with you and I’m so annoying, I’m just going to let you figure this one out for yourself.” Fyn slid his hands onto his hips. “This can only get more entertaining.”
I walked past him to the nearest guard.
“Excuse me, I’m afraid I’ve forgotten the way back to the guest wing and my escort struggles to remember things well. Can you assist me, please?” I tugged at the golden chain that inched too close to my throat when I was overwhelmed by heat again.
Fyn cast an icy glare at me. “She is mistaken. I remember which way we came from.”
The guard nodded without saying another word as Fyn extended his arm to me.
He tugged me forward down a side corridor I had already stepped past. “You could just tell me what’s wrong with you… it would be far easier.”
“It is extremely rude that you’re telling me that I look like something is wrong with me.”
“As long as I’ve known you, you don’t stare like that. So we can keep playing this game—or you could just tell me.”
“I do like games.” I blinked back the water from my eyes. And when I was certain no one could hear, I turned to him. “I may be ill.”
“Ill or consumed something you shouldn’t have?” Fyn swallowed hard.
As far as I knew, they could feel one and the same. “How would I know the difference?”
“That’s most reassuring,” he said. “If something is wrong with you?—”
“If I just rest...” There was absolutely nothing wrong with me other than the fact that I had just journeyed across Lythira into Estlen, had way too much fae wine and… drank starlight.
There could be something wrong with me.
Calm washed over me.
I was too calm.
“I’m going to go lie down.” I pushed open the door and sank to the floor on the other side. I pulled the edge of my gown away from the door in case he came in after me.
But he wouldn’t—he couldn’t.
Whatever version of us once existed would suffocate within these palace walls.
It didn’t matter. It was a sacrifice I had to give to live this human life.
Hot and sharp, something prodded my throat until my tears poured.
Maybe it mattered more than I wanted to admit.
The sensation stopped—too abrupt—too unnatural.
Whatever it was, it seemed to be responding to something.
