The Kingdoms

by Natasha Pulley

Lily was the only person in the world for whom he was just himself, not the ruin of who he used to be.

‘I’m sorry. I’m – I woke up, I couldn’t breathe. I don’t know what’s the matter with me.’ ‘It’s all right,’ Kite said, not sure how he could possibly look like a solution to that problem. He did not have a reassuring face.

‘I can hardly go around doubting a peer of the realm, sir.’ ‘Can you not? I do it regularly,’ Jem said,

She was trying to organise a series of medical lectures for people who weren’t students, to raise money for the new ward. Maybe even a lecture for women; hardly anyone in her circle got the chance to see an interesting amount of blood.

‘I’m fine. I just forgot how to do all this. I’m having moralising thoughts about the futility of philosophy and human kindness. Say something that will help.’ He smiled a little. ‘Perhaps you might squash your delicate feelings down until fewer people are bleeding to death, sailor.’ ‘Excellent. Thank you.’