“I can do much better than that,” he said, just as she said, “You’re taller. I swear you’ve grown. ”
“Taller?” he said. “I hope not. ”
“You are,” she said. She studied his face like she wanted to know everything about him. She nearly already did. During their time together, he’d told her things he’d never said to anyone. Aria’s smile faded as her gaze stopped at the chain around his neck. “I heard what happened. ” She reached up, and the weight at his collarbone lifted. “You’re a Blood Lord now. ” She spoke softly, more to herself than to him. “This is … It’s stunning. ”
He peered down, watching her fingers run over the silver links. “It’s heavy,” he said. This was the best moment he’d had since he’d taken the chain months ago.
Aria met his eyes, her temper cooling. “I’m sorry about Vale. ”
Perry looked across the shadowed woods and swallowed through the sudden tightness in his throat. The memory of his brother’s death kept him awake nights. Sometimes, when he was alone, it kept him from breathing. Gently he took Aria’s hand from the chain and slipped his fingers through hers.
“Later,” he said. They had months of catching up to do. He wanted to talk to her about her mother. Had wanted to comfort her since he’d heard the news from Roar. But not now, when he’d just gotten her back. “Later … all right?”
She nodded, her eyes warm with understanding. “Later. ” She turned his hand to see the scars Cinder had given him. Pale and thick as trails of wax, they made a web from his knuckles to his wrist. “Does this still bother you?” she asked, tracing the scars with her fingers.
“No. It reminds me of you … of when y
ou bandaged it. ” He lowered his head, bringing his cheek next to hers. “That was the first time you touched me without hating it. ” This close, her scent was everywhere, running through him, somehow stirring and mellowing him at the same time.
“Did Roar tell you where I’m going?” she asked.
“He did. ” Perry straightened and looked up. He couldn’t see the currents of Aether, but he knew they were there, flowing above the clouds. Each winter, the Aether storms were growing stronger, bringing fire and ruin. Perry knew they would only get worse. His tribe’s survival depended on finding a land rumored to be free of the Aether—the same thing Aria was searching for. “He told me you’re looking for the Still Blue. ”
“You saw Bliss. ”
He nodded. They had gone to the Pod together in search of her mother and found it destroyed by Aether. Domes the size of hills had collapsed. Walls ten feet thick had been crushed like eggshells.
“It’s only a matter of time before that happens to Reverie,” she continued. “The Still Blue is our only chance. Everything I’ve heard points to the Horns. To Sable. ”
Perry’s pulse quickened at the mention of the name. His sister, Liv, should have married the Horns’ Blood Lord last spring, but she’d spooked and run away. Liv still hadn’t appeared. He’d have to deal with Sable soon enough.
“The Horns’ city is still locked in by ice,” he said. “Rim won’t be reachable until the pass to the north thaws. Could be a few weeks before then. ”
“I know,” she said. “I thought it would have cleared by now. I’ll go north as soon as it does. ”
She stepped away from him abruptly and scanned the woods, her head angling quick and sharp. He’d been there when she’d learned she was an Aud. Every sound had been a discovery. Now he watched as her attention shifted naturally to the noises of the night.
“Someone’s coming,” she said.
“Reef,” Perry said. “He’s one of my men. ” No way had it already been an hour. Not even close. “There are more nearby. ”
Perry caught the steep dive in her temper, a bracing, cool drift. In the next moment his heartbeat faltered. He hadn’t felt tethered to another’s emotions in months. Since he’d last been with her.
“When are you going back?” she asked.
“Soon. Morning. ”
“I understand. ” She looked from him to the chain, her expression growing distant. “The Tides need you. ”
Perry shook his head. She didn’t understand. “I didn’t come out here to see you for a night, Aria. Come back to the Tides with me. It’s not safe out here, and—”
“I don’t need help, Perry. ”
“That’s not what I meant. ” He was too skitty to order his thoughts. Before he could say anything more, she took another step away, her hands hovering over the blades at her belt. Seconds later, Reef emerged from the woods, square shoulders hunched as he walked toward them. Perry cursed under his breath. He needed more time with her. Alone.
Reef’s steps caught when he saw Aria alert and armed. Probably not what he’d expected from a Dweller. Perry noticed her wary expression too. With the scar across his face and his challenging stare, Reef looked like someone to avoid.
Perry cleared his throat. “Aria, this is Reef, head of my guard. ” It felt strange introducing two people who meant so much to him. Like they should already know each other.