‘Did I scare you?’ he heard himself ask. ‘Before…?’ She turned her head to him, her beautiful face illuminated by the moonlight. ‘No.’ ‘Good.’ ‘They’re…’ She trailed off, a blush spreading across her cheeks before she tipped her chin back to the sky. ‘What?’ he pressed. ‘They’re beautiful, you know. The wings.’ For the first time in a long while, Talemir’s eyes prickled. ‘Oh.’ ‘Don’t let it go to your head.’ He laughed, suddenly feeling lighter than he had all day. ‘I absolutely will. Any more niceties to share this evening?’
