I want to lick her face.
It’s a strange thought, but even as I want to discard it, I can’t.I want to touch her face, and I want to touch her mouth, and I want...Hyperion’s right.Thereissomething wrong with me.
Liz starts walking through the tiny doorway with the fluffy thing.
Why doesheget to go with you?
Liz spins then, setting Fluff Dog on the floor to yip and bounce and nip at her pants.She points.“Coral’s in there all alone,” she whispers.“I’m going to go and spend some time with her, alright?”
You should let her bond a blessed, too.
I expect her to argue, but she just arches one eyebrow.“I’m going to teach you something your mother should have.”She looks utterly serious.“Two wrongs don’t make a right.”
After spouting that bizarre, unintelligible phrase, she slams the door in my face.And that’s how I get stuck waiting on her while she sleeps—alone.At least the other blessed who are as pathetic as I am are all lying with or beside their bonded humans.
Almost an hour later, Rufus shows up.
He probably understands somewhat.Like me, he’s all alone.
You need to bond someone tomorrow.I hold his gaze.I mean it.
His half-hearted nod isn’t very reassuring.
Why haven’t you?
He shrugs again.
Tell me.
Rufus drops his head on his front legs and sighs.I’m happy Sammy and Gordon, and Asteria and Jade are bonded, but they’re the humans who taught me what humans should be.None of the other humans really feel quite right.I guess I’m just looking for a good fit.
And if you don’t find one?
I’ve already lived much longer than most earth blessed.He closes his eyes.It’s enough.
We’ve all changed, alright.I’m just not sure all of it’s good.It looks like loving someone who doesn’t love you as much is just another way to experience pain.
18
Gullveig
In the aftermath of the failed attack and the loss of her brother, Freja’s away a lot.I start to worry.I made progress, helping her.It meant something to her.She said she wanted to show me something, but I haven’t really seen her since.
Until she flies in like she’s racing, nearly knocking me over.
He’s finally gone.
“What?”
My father—he’s gone.He was called out to look at—doesn’t matter.We have to go now.
“Go where?”
Freja tosses her head and waits.
I scramble onto her back.
She crawls to the edge of her cavern and looks around, and then she drops off the edge, only using her wings to guide the direction we’re falling until we’re about to slam into the ground.
