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"It’s fine," I murmur "It’s nice to hear that I’ out of place"

"That’s so you should know about us Silvers We’re always alone In here, and here," he says, pointing between his head and his heart "It keeps you strong"

Lightning cracks overhead, illulow "That’s just stupid," I tell him, and he chuckles darkly

"You better hide that heart of yours, Lady Titanos It won’t lead you anywhere you want to go"

The words make me shiver Finally I reet back toto leave him on the balcony Instead, he catches my arm

"I think I can help you with your problem"

I quirk an eyebrow at hiirl to weep at the drop of a hat You’re homesick" He holds up a hand before I can protest "I can fix that"

FOURTEEN

Security patrolspairs, but with Maven onpast when I should be in bed, no one says a word No one crosses a prince Where he’s leading now, I don’t know, but he prohting a small smile I can’t help but bea before I assume he should--we never even leave the residence floors

"Here we are," he says, and raps on the door

It swings open after aCal His appearance takes me back a step His chest is bare, while the rest of his strange ars off him Metal plates woven into fabric, some of it dented I don’t miss the purple bruise above his heart, or the faint stubble on his cheeks It’s the first tiht him at a bad moment, obviously He doesn’t noticeulp

"Got the board set, Mavey--," he begins, but stops when he looks up to seewith his brother "Mare, how can I, uh, what can I do for you?" He stumbles over his words, at a loss for once

"I’ fro an eyebrow a little

"For being the good son, my brother has his own discretions," he says, and his air is surprisingly playful Even Cal grins a little, rolling his eyes "You wanted to go home, Mare, and I’ve found you someone who’s been there before"

After a second of confusion, I realize what Maven is saying and how stupid I aet ot himself out of here, so he can do the sarin gone "You know she can’t It’s not a good idea--"

It’s my turn to speak up, to take what I want "Liar"