103
" The air is crisp on my skin, and though my hands are wrapped under thick gloves, I shove my fists into my pockets anyway. The wind penetrates here through every layer, including skin. I’m dressed in fur so thick that walking feels like an exertion. It slows me down more than I would like, and even though I know there’s no imminent threat of attack, I still don’t like being unprepared in case one comes. It shakes me more than the cold ever could.
When I turn to Lira, the ends of her hair are white with frost. “Try not to breathe,” I tell her. “It might get stuck halfway out.”
Lira flicks up her hood. “You should try not to talk then,” she retorts. “Nobody wants your words being preserved for eternity.”
“They’re pearls of wisdom, actually.”
I can barely see Lira’s eyes under the mass of dark fur from her coat, but the mirthless curl of her smile is ever-present. It lingers in calculated amusement as she considers what to say next. Readies to ricochet the next blow.
Lira pulls a line of ice from her hair, artfully indifferent. “If that is what pearls are worth these days, I’ll make sure to invest in diamonds.”
“Or gold,” I tell her smugly. “I hear it’s worth its weight.”
Kye shakes the snow from his sword and scoffs. “Anytime you two want to stop making me feel nauseated, go right ahead.”
“Are you jealous because I’m not flirting with you?” Madrid asks him, warming her finger on the trigger mechanism of her gun.
“I don’t need you to flirt with me,” he says. “I already know you find me irresistible.”
Madrid reholsters her gun. “It’s actually quite easy to resist you when you’re dressed like that.”
Kye looks down at the sleek red coat fitted snugly to his lithe frame. The fur collar cuddles against his jaw and obscures the bottoms of his ears, making it seem as though he has no neck at all. He throws Madrid a smile.
“Is it because you think I look sexier wearing nothing?”
Torik lets out a withering sigh and pinches the bridge of his nose. I’m not sure whether it’s from the hours we’ve gone without food or his inability to wear cutoffs in the biting cold, but his patience seems to be wearing thin.
“I could swear that I’m on a life-and-death mission with a bunch of lusty kids,” he says. “Next thing I know, the lot of you will be writing love notes in rum bottles.”
“Okay,” Madrid says. “Now I feel nauseated. "
― Alexandra Christo , To Kill a Kingdom
111
" Pienso en mi corazón humano, que de repente late tan rápido, demasiado rápido, y en la arruga entre las cejas de Elian mientras espera mi petición.
-¿Alguna vez vas a besarme?
Lentamente, Elian dice:
-Eso no es un favor.
Su mano se mueve y siento una ausencia repentina. Y luego está en mi mejilla, sosteniendo mi rostro entre sus manos, acariciando mi labio con el pulgar. Se siente como lo peor que he hecho y lo mejor que he podido hacer, y lo extraño es que ambas cosas son lo mismo.
Que extraño que en lugar de coger su corazón, esté esperando a que coja el mío.
-¿Recuerdas cuando nos conocimos? -pregunta.
-Dijiste que era más encantadora cuando estaba inconsciente -Elian ríe y está tan cerca que siento que su cuerpo se estremece contra el mío. Puedo ver cada cicatriz y peca de su piel. Cada veta de color en sus ojos. Me lamo los labios. Casi puedo saborearlo.
-Pregúntamelo otra vez -dice.
Presiona su frente contra la mía, su aliento se rompe en mis labios. Cierro los ojos y lo inhalo. Regaliz y sal marina y, si me muevo, si respiro, entonces este frágil instante entre nosotros desaparecerá con el viento.
-Sólo hazlo ya -digo.
Y lo hace. "
― Alexandra Christo , To Kill a Kingdom
