The thorn crown

The cabin was abandoned. Half-buried in moss and grief.

I didn't ask why Kael knew it was there. I was too tired. Too cold. Too aware of the blood soaking through his side.

I shoved the splintered door open. "Welcome home, I guess."

He didn't joke this time. Just collapsed onto the dusty floorboards like the forest had finally let him go.

I made a fire. Or tried. My hands shook, even though I told them not to.

Kael watched from where he lay, breath shallow, eyes glowing low like dying embers.

"Let me," he rasped.

"No."

"You're shivering."

"And you're flammable."

Still, I let him do it. Because I couldn't take the silence anymore. Because his fingers moved like he'd done this before when he was someone else. Someone who lived.

The fire sparked. Warmth clawed its way into the room, and my body betrayed me with a sigh.

Kael leaned back against the wall. "You're still afraid."

I turned my face to the flames. "Of what?"

"Of feeling."

I didn't answer.

He shifted, slowly. Painfully. Pulled the old moth-eaten blanket from the corner and tossed it toward me.

"Take it."

"There's only one."

"Then share it."

"I don't cuddle with cursed strangers."

"I don't cuddle either," he muttered, laying down and turning away from me. "I burn."

I hesitated.

Then sat beside him. Not touching. Not close.

But not far enough to pretend I wasn't affected.

The fire crackled. Outside, the forest breathed slow and predatory.

And inside, something sharp pressed behind my ribs.

Guilt?

Pity?

No. Just heat. Just his emotions leaking through that thin skin of mine like poison.

I hated it.

"You talk in your sleep," Kael said suddenly.

"I don't sleep."

"You said my name."

I looked at him. "Did I stab you too hard in the head?"

"You said it like you were scared."

I didn't reply. I didn't remember it. But something deep in my chest twitched.

He rolled to face me, one arm tucked under his head. "You feel nothing, right?"

I nodded. The lie was getting harder to keep down.

"Then why do I feel calmer when you're near?"

I stared into the fire. My voice came out quieter than I meant.

"Because I'm not afraid of you."

Kael smiled. It was a tired thing. Broken. But real.

"I think that's worse."

I didn't move when his arm brushed mine.

Didn't flinch when his warmth soaked through the blanket.

Didn't breathe when I realized

My heart was racing.

Not from fear.

But from proximity.

Kael's voice dipped low. "Do you think they'll kill us?"

"They'll try."

"And you'll run?"

"I'll fight."

A pause.

"For me?"

I looked at him.

And for a second

Just a second

I saw the boy under the curse.

And I hated how much I wanted to keep him.

"Yes," I said.

The fire popped.

His eyes closed.

And mine stayed open, watching the shadows.

Because I could feel the storm coming.

And I didn't know if I'd survive it.