Page 13 of Heart’s Rescue

Charay hasn’t told me what to do in an age, not since her little golden clock still ticked the minutes of a world that had locked us away. But I shrug, and smile, and go along with it.

After all, the world has just changed. Again.

Phaedron is awake when I come back into the house, but the tension in his neck and the way he’s pressing his lips together tell me Charay’s blessed painkiller must be wearing off again. Just how much of that crap she’s got is yet another question I haven’t asked.

“What’d she say?” he asks.

“She said you’re the worst patient she’s ever had,” I answer, grinning.

“Ha. Ha,” Phaedron replies. He’s not laughing, he’s just pronouncing the word like he’s reading it off a page.

I reach for Phaedron’s sword, for Skyfire, and then hesitate. It’s too big. Even on Phaedron, this stupid sword’s freaking comical, and I’m quite a bit smaller than him. I don’t even have a sword. I don’t need one, not with what I can do.

Still, I grab Phaedron’s sword and cross the belt over my shoulder. I’ll wear it on my back so it won’t trip me up. Phaedron watches me the whole time, his eyes wide, his right hand clenching at the blankets and then letting go, clenching and letting go.

“Charay’s coming back,” I say, smiling as though this is just such great news. “She’ll stay with you today. She’ll, uh, make you some tea, I guess.”

Phaedron sucks a breath over his teeth; it makes a sound like a hiss. He looks me over, taking in the cloak, the boots, the little puddles of snow melting on the floor all around me. His stupid sword strapped to my stupid shoulders.

“Where’re you going?” he asks.

“Oh, me?” I reach up and pat Skyfire’s hilt. “I’m hunting monsters.”