Page 144 of Death of the Glass Angel
The tent flaps parted, and Janus heard Talon walk out. Felsin was silent for a moment before speaking softly. “I think I’m furious at you, but maybe the shock is preventing me from processing everything.”
There it was. Janus’ fingers tightened around the stuffed dragon.
“I’m glad you’re okay,” he said. “When we realized you were missing. . .”
Felsin trailed off. He was talking to himself, not her. Maybe he wanted to work through his feelings while she couldn’t hear him.
While he believed she couldn’t hear him.
“Whatever happens. . . I’m glad you came here, Janus.” Felsin pulled her blanket over her shoulders and brushed a strand of hair from her eyes, tucking it behind her ear. His fingers lingered on her cheeks before trailing down the length of her hair, slowly brushing her thick locks.
No one had ever simply sat by Janus’ side and stroked her hair. Shivers ran down her spine, and she repressed the urge to cry.
Part of her wanted to sit up and respond. Maybe grab his collar and kiss him. The other was petrified his demeanor would change once he realized she was conscious.
Torn in half. Every part of Janus’ life wavered between two fragments, never whole.
Under the warmth of his touch, sleep rose from the depths to finally claim her.
36
Talon
I’ll never understand your aversion to anmarite. You once availed yourself of every advantage. Why do you protest, now that I seek to do the same?
-Letter from Lady Entia to Gemellus Instigo
The forge sat ominously in the corner, a wellspring of heat—burns, fire, pain.
Talon gritted his teeth, shutting away the memories of his past.
“Are you sure about this?” Valkyrie asked, tying her fiery locks into a bun.
“As much as I can be.” Talon shrugged, turning over his bandaged arm. “I’ve been through worse.”
“This might kill you,” Valkyrie said, though she did not sound worried. “Nobody knows anything about working with anmarite.”
“Then I guess I’ll be a pioneer.” Talon attempted to sound cheerful.
Valkyrie snorted. “Who are you performing for? Me?” She leaned her head on her fist. “This entire course of events is unlike anything I’ve seen. So much has gone into hiding the truth, and for what?”
“Something yet to come.”
“It must be exciting, whatever it is,” Valkyrie smirked. “And Princess Janus, our hero. Or will she be the villain?”
“Depends on who you ask,” Talon said, staring at the forge.
He’s going to kill himself. A voice whispered.
He’s terrible at magic.Another agreed.
What is he thinking?
The door flew open, and Felsin trotted out, a white cat clinging to his heels. He held a small box and offered it to Talon. “This stuff is worth a fortune,” Felsin said as Talon accepted the parcel. “Do youknow how difficult it was to convince my mother you were owed restitution?”
Talon opened the box to see a single piece of refined anmarite inside, the metal glimmering silver with faint flecks of blue beneath the sunlight. Pulling the chunk out, he watched Felsin closely. The man had pretended to be alright, but Talon could see countless thoughts flurrying behind his eyes.
Pacing around the courtyard, Felsin unfolded a piece of parchment. “According to the diagram, they thought the lightning in your veins would bond the anmarite.”
