Page 12 of The King's Man 1

“Then she won’t panic for long.”

“What about me?” I rub my temple. “Should I be panicking?”

Calix glances back at me. “Would you? So I might see what that looks like?”

I grin, then immediately wince.

“Your meridians are still intact,” Calix murmurs. “Heal yourself.”

I hardly need telling. I form a spell and steer it into my head. Relief floods in fast. I spring from the makeshift bed—Calix must have built it—and drop beside him at the fire.

Before he can put down his jar of liquor, I swipe it, lift it to my nose, and take a long, exaggerated sniff.

“I’ve never tried alcohol before,” I say, mischief warming me faster than the flames.

Calix reaches out to take it, but I twist away and chug down a good gulp. “Quite sweet.”

He yanks it back. “You’ll knock yourself out again.”

“You’re not secretly thrilled? You won’t have to deal with me for the rest of the night.”

I laugh and keep talking, warmth and adrenaline making my tongue loose. I edge closer to him as the air turns colder. When I finally bump against his side, I hear it.

A hiss of breath.

Pain floods the air around us.

I whip around and stare at his lap. “You’re hurt. Let me—”

He bats my hands away and shifts just out of reach.

“It’s nothing,” he mutters. “Just a few rocks. I’m fine.”

“This again? You won’t let me heal you because I’m par-linea? That’s ridiculous.” I roll up my sleeves. “If I’d known you were suffering, I would’ve healed you first—”

I summon a spell.

My hair flies up from the blowback. I blink, stunned, as fizzled magic crackles from my fingers. I try again. Just a fizz.

I freeze, horror blooming. “I... I can’t.” I look at him, alarmed. “It must be the liquor!”

Calix stares at me, andlaughs. Really laughs. He reaches out and flattens my hair with his palm.

I go utterly still at the touch.

Our eyes lock.

Calix’s hand drops. I whip my head back to the fire. Such pretty dancing flames. Very interesting.

“So,” I say, throat tight, “have you practiced archery for a long time?”

“Since I could lift a bow.”

“Even though you can use magic?”

“Sometimes magic isn’t an option. We need other ways to survive. To fight.”

I glance at my hands. “Even to heal?” I frown.

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