“Yes, Ari.” He sighed heavily against my shirt.
“Excellent lad. Go on inside, now, and Genevieve can make a poultice for that bruise, before your eye swells shut. Go on.”
He started to go, then turned back and threw his arms around Braith, who stood stiff and wide-eyed.
“Nice dragon,” Gareth said, then turned and scurried away toward the tower.
Braith and I stood silent as Gareth passed out of earshot. I shifted my feet, all my skin a-prickle with an awareness of his proximity that was both awkward and exhilarating. His hair was loose still, and he tucked it behind his ear, a movement that seemed more fascinating than the circling of the planets.
Irrelevant, Ariana! You have already decided this is irrelevant.
Curse it, my decision to ignore Braith seemed to be having rather the oppo
