The Lightning-Struck Heart (Tales From Verania 1) - Page 228

“Are they? You know many of them?”

“No. But if you’re anything to go by, it’s not that broad of a generalization.”

“I’ve seen things,” he said. “Many different things. There are lands far away from here that you couldn’t even possibly dream of. I’ve seen cliffs of ice so tall they disappear into the clouds. I’ve seen flowers deep in jungles that eat everything that happens by them. I’ve seen the hearts of men, the darkness that lies within. I’ve been captured by wizards who wanted nothing more than to spill my blood to make their spells. I’ve seen people cower in fear at the mere sight of me. I’ve seen a city that floats in the clouds and the beings that live there have translucent skin and cannot speak for they have no mouths. I’ve seen a volcano erupt during a lightning storm, ash in the sky as the mountain explodes. I’ve seen many things, pretty.”

“I don’t understand,” I said.

He sighed. “I’ve seen many things. Both good and evil. Majestic and destructive. Stars falling from the sky and a man whose tattoos moved across his skin as if they were alive before he tried to rip one of my hearts from my chest. I have seen many, many things. But I have never seen one look at another the way the knight looks at you.”

I said, “Don’t.”

“Why?” he asked. “Because you don’t believe it or you don’t want to hear it?”

I said, “Just. Don’t.”

He looked up at the night sky, scales glittering. “Everything is so vast. It’s humbling to remember just how small we really are.”

I followed his gaze skyward. The stars were so bright tonight.

He said, “I left to find a home. To find a place I could call my own. To feel safe for the first time in my life. I didn’t think I would ever actually find it.”

“And you have now?”

“You’re not going to hurt me?”

“No, I would never hurt you.” I paused, considering. “Unless you tried to get all up in my business again. Then I make no promises.”

He laughed. It was low and gravelly, and I thought I could listen to it for a very long time. “If I get all up in your business again, it’ll be because you invited me in.”

“So never, then.”

“Promises, promises.”

“You feel safe with us,” I said.

“Yes, pretty.”

“Why?”

“Because of how you and Gary and Tiggy care about each other.”

“They’re dicks,” I said.

“Oh?”

“But so am I. We fit. They’re my friends.”

“I noticed.”

“You’re a dick too,” I said.

“Thank you, pretty,” he said with a toothy smile.

“I’m sorry,” I said.

“For what?”

I shrugged. “For whoever hurt you. It wasn’t right. No one should ever have to go through that.”

Tags: T.J. Klune Tales From Verania Fantasy
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