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Really? Because he’d always hated it All those years in school, watching Daniel talk to everyone and anyone without even a ure out just how heso much time with the Smythe-Smiths Their home had always been so chaotic and crazed; he’d slipped almost unnoticed into their life of un-routine and become one of the family

It was the only fa a finger down the bridge of his nose "You would be too perfect if you weren’t shy," she said "Too much of a storybook hero I’ht othics"

He knew there was a reason he’d never liked her friends

"I was never quite sure if you were the hero or the villain, though"

He decided not to find insult in that state slyly as she said it

"You need to get better," she whispered "I don’t knohere I’ll be if you don’t" And then, so softly that he barely heard her: "I think you ht be my touchstone"

He tried to , because that wasn’t the sort of thing one let go without a reply But his face still felt thick and heavy, and all he couldnoises

"Marcus? Do you want some water?"

He did, actually

"Are you even awake?"

Sort of

"Here," she said "Try this"

He felt so lukeater into his h, and she only let him have a few drops

"I don’t think you’re awake," she said He heard her settle back down in her chair She sighed She sounded tired He hated that

But he was glad she was here He had a feeling she ht be his touchstone, too

Chapter Twelve

"Doctor!" Honoria july young man entered the rooray hair "It’s his leg," she said "I don’t think you sahen – "

"I didn’t see him before," the doctor said brusquely "My father did"

"Oh" Honoria took a respectful step back as the doctor bent over Marcus’s leg Her mother, who had come in just behind him, walked over to Honoria’s side

And then took her hand Honoria squeezed it as if it were a lifeline, grateful for the connection