“Then I suppose you’ll have to give me another one when this one falls out.”
“Will you carry my intent that long?”
As long as I breathe,he thought.
“I will,” he said aloud.
“Then let me give you a ribbon that will last.”
Something warm shifted against his scalp. A pulse of mana, light as wind, threading through his braid.
He frowned. Reached up and brushed his long hair forward. The ribbon was gone. In its place, a few strands of his braid glowed—silvernow. Woven seamlessly through his hair like light stitched into shadow. Anchored in her magic.
“If it’s so important to you,” she murmured, voice soft against his back, “then I’ll make sure it isn’t easily lost.”
He turned to look at her.
She hadn’t moved.
Still resting her cheek against his back. Still calm. Still unaware.
“Auryn, did you use your magic again?”
She hummed in quiet agreement. “It’s safer now,” she murmured.
He stared at her. At the woman who just awakened from near death three nights ago. At the girl who had bled silver from her nose. At the tiny pulse in her throat that he’d checked more times than he couldcount.
His jaw tensed.
He opened his mouth.
He meant to tell her tonever do it again.
He meant to saydo you know what that power does to you?
But the words caught in his throat.
He looked at her again—hair loose, eyes steady, heart open. She had done it forhim. A gift. A gesture of care.
He put down his quill, turned fully, and tugged her into his arms.
“Thank you,” he said.
She melted against his chest with a soft exhale—as though relieved—her forehead finding the hollow of his throat. He held her there. One hand against her back, the other threaded in her hair.
“My theory was correct,” she smiled. “The braid looks good.”
“Are you complimenting yourself?”
“And what of it? None of the soldiers will tell you this truth. Maybe some of Thessia’s warriors. They are braver with their words and fear you less.”
A half chuckle escaped him.
“You really do say anything that comes to mind, don’t you?”
I should try to explain to her that she must be more careful with her words. More guarded. Especially if she lives among people in the capital. Not everyone will understand her ways. Her riddles and meandering words.
And, Void, the things she said could either cut to the quick or make someone want to hide and never be seen again.
