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Quin

“I fell through the roof! Did you see it?” Liorah grinned.

“I mean, it’s quite an experience, I don’t think I’ve ever done that specifically before.” The grin vanished.“I’ve done an awful lot of odd things but that’s absolutely new.”

She and Locran shot glances and high words at each other. Quin leaned on his crutches and tried to pretend he wasn’t there.

“Did you fall through the ceiling too? And your brother?”

Quin blinked. She was fast-paced.

“No. Qatar and I just…appeared, I guess. And yes, he is my brother.”

As quickly as she had directed her attention to him, she switched back to Locran.

Quin looked from one to the other. Their muscles grew tense and cold fires kindled in their eyes.

“I know what I’ve done. Trust me. I know. But the only one who will judge my actions is the Creator. Unless you are going to have a hand in my judgement – shut your mouth.” Locran’s eyes narrowed. She had hit a tender spot.

“Guilt is not the same as accountability,” Liorah almost snapped.  “You know what you’ve done and I’ve seen no sign that you’ve ever tried to grow beyond it. On the contrary, you’re proud of your guilt.”

Quin winced. That’s not for you to know. Nightmares tickled the back of his mind. He clenched his fists and forced them back.

Liorah closed her eyes, trying to regain control.  When she spoke her voice was measured, careful not to shake.“I’m stupid and naive and reckless and heartless and cruel and thoughtless–” She paused. “But I have bled and wept to be better than I was yesterday.”

Quin took a step back. The pain her words sent shivering through him was almost real. Only a little less real than the words that throbbed in his brain. I haven’t.

Liorah’s glance strayed to Quin. His glance shifted away, then slowly back.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have shouted,” she seemed to be talking to Quin as much as Locran.

Lorcan sighed. “It’s okay Quin. We’re not gonna start anything anymore. No arguments.” He placed a hand on his heart to show his sincerity, then turned to glare at Liorah. “Right princess?”

“I have never started a fight. I have finished many.”

It was good-natured again, but nothing they had said to each other could be taken back. Even if they wanted to.

“Right.” Quin didn’t realize he’d answered for Liorah until he heard his own voice, firmer than he felt. “I mean–I didn’t mean–dash it all, you’re a princess?”

Right. Just what I need.

Quin shot Locran a dark look, trying to keep him from running to his aid. Then with a lurch he knew must look like a fall Quin jerked his crutch away and dropped to his knee.

“Your highness.”

From the tingling stillness in the air above his head, Quin knew that wasn’t what Liorah expected. What would royalty from another country expect? Or is it another world.

He didn’t dare look up, for fear of seeing grins on the others’ faces.