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“What did you say? You’re on their grounds. Don’t fucking forget that, douchebag.”
“Franky,” I whispered.
“Yes. I’m here, Nova. What were you doing out there alone? Didn’t I tell you not to worry about paying me back?”
“Wanted to surprise you.”
I bounced a little in his arms. “You already have. Many times.”
“I think you’ll love what I collected,” I slurred.
“You can show me when you’re feeling better.” His warm lips brushed over my cheek. “You’re burning up. I think you need a doctor.”
“Good thing I’ve found one.” I dozed off again from the overwhelming drowsiness. Next time I woke up, I was being patted on the head with a cool towel. My eyes blinked open but everything was all blurry, colors bunching together. They moved everywhere at once and it was almost as if they were talking.
“Nova,” I finally heard someone say. Large fingers stroked my hair, and a comforting scent entered my nose. Oranges and soap.
“How are you feeling?”
“Like people look when they’re drunk. I feel like that.”
“Whatever bit and stung you caused a bad reaction.”
“Bendanytes.”
“What?”
“That’s what they’re called. Or what I named them. They bend when they fly and put you to sleep if they sting you enough. Their bites cause you to run a temporary fever.”
“I thought . . .”
“I can’t die, Franky.” I smiled up at him. “I can get eaten or swallowed whole, but nothing can kill me. No venom or poison. I have too much magic flowing through my body for that to happen. I’m made up of it.”
“I didn’t know that.” He stroked my neck with the cloth. “Why’d you have to scare me, huh?”
“I didn’t mean to. I can handle myself. I’ve been doing it for a long time now.”
“It didn’t look like it a while ago.”
“Everyone has bad days,” I deadpanned, and when his face finally came into full focus, I caught an almost-smile.
“How about you don’t have any more while I’m here?”
“I usually don’t.” I lifted my hand to his face. “Sorry I ruined our day.”
“You didn’t. There’s still plenty of it left.”
“Will you lay with me for some more of it?” I asked, rubbing my face against his hand.
“Only if you promise not to disappear if I fall asleep again.”
“I don’t think that’ll be a problem since I don’t have any feeling in my legs.”
I opened my eyes wider and realized he was kneeling on the floor by the bed. He was so tall, he looked as if he had a pillow or two under him. “We could watch a few more movies until you do,” Franky suggested. “Maybe I can manage to keep my eyes open through at least one.”
“I probably won’t, so you could always lie and say you did,” I teased, with a little humor in my tone.
He brushed his thumb along my jawline, those bright eyes peering into mine. “I never want to lie to you, Nova. Not intentionally.”
