As they stepped into the night, Pip drew in a deep breath of the somewhat cooler air.
Fieran halted, also inhaling deeply. “I’m sorry we haven’t had much time together lately. I haven’t even had the energy to fetch your tools and pretend to help.”
“It’s okay.” Pip let go of his hand so that she could wrap her arms around his waist instead, leaning into him. “You’ve barely been out of your aeroplane in the past three weeks. You haven’t even managed morning practice with your dacha.”
“We’re courting. I need to make time for you.” Fieran embraced her in return and leaned his head against hers.
“We’re at war. Everything else needs to take the rear seat, even a courtship. I get it.” Pip would have snuggled closer, but she was growing all the more aware of how Fieran hadn’t had a shower yet, and he’d been sweating in that flight jacket for the past few hours. She tried to take shallow breaths as she easedjust a bit away from him so that her face wasn’t pressed against his sweaty shirt.
“I just wish it didn’t have to be like that.” Fieran held her for another long moment before he pulled back. “Sorry. I smell, don’t I?”
“Terribly.” Pip took another step back to drag in a breath of the fresh, nighttime air. “It’s a sign of my love that I actually hugged you when you are this gross.”
“Then I’d probably be pushing my luck if I kissed you.” Fieran gave her what he probably thought was a smoldering look, though it looked more puppy dog pleading than smolder.
Pip eyed him, debating. On the one hand, he was rather gross. On the other hand, she didn’t know when they’d have another moment alone for stealing kisses. This was war. She had to take her opportunities where she could get them.
Fieran’s smolder turned into a lopsided smile. “If you have to debate that long, then the answer is no.” He lifted his shirt, sniffed at it, and grimaced. “Perhaps after I take a shower? I don’t fancy marinating in my sweat all night.”
As hot as it was likely to be tonight, they all would be doing just that, regardless of their prior cleanliness. She resisted the urge to shudder.
“I don’t want to waste what time we have.” Pip drew in a deep breath, holding it, as she eased closer. “Perhaps if we—”
“Capt. Laesornysh!” Lt. Busher hurried from the hangar, a clipboard in hand. He halted and gave Fieran a salute. “If you could spare a moment, sir.”
And…they’d lost their moment.
“Yes?” Fieran turned, returning the lieutenant’s salute.
Pip faced the adjutant as well. Somehow, his uniform was crisp and neat, despite the day’s heat, nor had the scorching day managed to melt his starch.
Lt. Busher held the clipboard out to Fieran. “Colonel Dentley asks that you peruse this form. He will only give his approval and signature if you also do so.”
Fieran took the form, his eyes flicking back and forth as he scanned the paper. He stilled, his eyebrows rising before he glanced up at Lt. Busher. “Is this…he’s…” Fieran’s gaze dropped back to the paper, staring at it.
What was on that paper? Pip clamped her jaws shut to stop her questions. Technically, it wasn’t any of her business what was on that paper, and she didn’t dare ask in front of Lt. Busher.
Lt. Busher somehow managed to stiffen, his back even more starched straight. “Colonel Dentley realizes these are unusual circumstances, which is why he is seeking your approval for this return to combat. But as you do not seem bothered by unusual cases—”
“I’m not arguing. I’ll sign. Where’s a pen?” Fieran fumbled to take the pen the lieutenant held out to him, his hand shaking as he scrawled his name. He handed the clipboard back. “How soon can we expect everything to go through?”
“Soon. Headquarters is motivated to get as many experienced pilots as possible to the front to turn back this latest wave of attacks.” Lt. Busher saluted and, once Fieran gave him a salute in dismissal, he spun on a heel and marched back the way he’d come.
“What—” Pip turned toward Fieran.
“He’s coming back.” Fieran rested his hands on her shoulders before he pulled her in for a hug, as if he couldn’t quite contain himself.
“Who?” Pip found herself once again squashed against Fieran’s sweaty shirt, and this time she hadn’t had the time to take a decent breath beforehand.
“Merrik.” Fieran’s arms tightened around her. “He requested to return to duty. The healers cleared him, and the commanderof the reserve squadron in Estyra certified that he can still fly. So he’s coming back.”
Pip hugged Fieran tighter, a lump filling her throat so thickly that she wasn’t sure she could speak, even if she could find the words.
Merrik was coming back.
She would have snuggled into Fieran’s hug, but…he was still very gross. After a moment, Pip pressed her palms to Fieran’s chest and pushed back, easing out of Fieran’s embrace as he released her. She kept her hands on his chest as she studied his expression. “He still hasn’t answered any of your letters, has he?”
“No.” The joy leached out of Fieran’s voice on his sigh. He shook his head, his gaze dropping from hers. “Nor sent me a message through his dacha, even though I know Uncle Iyrinder has talked with him.”
