She touched Hu’s shoulders, her high cheekbones, hesitant, conditioned, trembling against more than a decade of fear and repression and rigid self-control. Her skin felt transparent, burned raw. A sudden gust made her shiver. Tain Hu’s eyes were wide and close and utterly aware. She had been chewing anise and smyrnium. Baru could smell it, clean, sharp. Fuck them, Baru thought. Fuck them. They can all burn. I will destroy myself if I choose. On this one day I will not deny what I am.
