Page 122 of Of Flame and Fury

Then, through wisps of fire, Kel could make out one feather. Two more, then three. A trail of feathers was cleared of flames along Savita’s side, and then her back.

Where Savita’s saddle would have sat.

Kel couldn’t breathe.

Sav couldn’t be offering what Kel thought she was. She couldn’t be…

The phoenix merely stared at her, motionless.

Kel risked a hand against Savita’s wing; the narrow stretch that was now free of flames. The feathers were still silky soft, and not nearly as hot as they should have been.

Coup stepped closer to Savita. As Kel held out her hand to Coup, Savita clicked her beak—or at least, the darker flames that Kel assumed were a beak—and released another roar.

The pair winced. Coup stepped back, and Savita calmed.

His features were taut as he said, “She’s too hot, Kel. I can’t get any closer. How can you stand it?”

Kel frowned. She turned back to Savita’s wing, spreading her fingers across the darkened feathers.

Maybe it was a numbness from AB. Maybe she was delirious from the sancter’s shot. Or maybe—just this once—Kel would let herself believe in the lullabies her father had sung to her. Maybe she’d pretend that Savita trusted—needed—Kel, too. Maybe the raging fire in Kel’s veins had never been AB, but a gift from Savita. To prepare her for this. For now.

Kel bunched her hand in Savita’s feathers. Savita grumbled, as if to say,Hurry up.

Kel laughed again, softly this time. The electricity was alreadyfading from her veins. If she was going to do this, she needed to do itnow. “I have to go, Coup.”

If she stayed, she’d die. She’d fade away in comfort, surrounded by family. It was more than most people got. Maybe that should have been enough for her.

But Savita was offering her a chance. Not a promise; a chance at another future. Even if there was more pain ahead of her, more fire and blood, it would be worth it. If it meant she could stay with her family, it would always be worth it.

Even though Cristo was gone, Savita was still in danger. Kel would die and Cristo’s allies or sponsors would want Savita. Maybe even the Cendorian Council. Neither of them was safe. Not yet.

But maybe… maybe Savita’s rebirth could save them both.

Coup’s throat bobbed. Despite Savita’s grumbling, Kel stepped away from her firebird. Instead, she stepped into Coup’s outstretched arms.

And then they were both crying. Not soft tears or glistening eyes, but harsh sobs and wails coughed into each other’s necks. Pleas and promises and words they hadn’t spoken yet, but had known.

Sobs turned to breathless kisses and those turned to a deeper embrace. Kel tried to memorize everything about him: the salty taste of his lips, the feel of his calloused hands, the way she felt his brow furrow when he deepened their kisses. She wanted to learn everything about him—every dream he’d ever had and the future that he’d weave them into. But if this was all that fate would allow, she’d take it greedily. It would never be enough, but it was more than she’d ever hoped for.

When Savita’s grumbling turned to thunder and too long had passed, Coup pulled away. He nodded toward Savita. “You better come back in one piece, or you’ll have hell to answer to.”

Kel managed a grin. “That’s the best pep talk I’ve ever heard.”

With a shaking hand he tucked a strand of knotted hair behind her ear and said, “I’ll make sure that Cristo Industries stops their experiments. If there’s a cure for AB—we’ll find it another way.”

Kel thought of Dira, as much her family as her father had been. She thought of Rahn, who’d lost Cristo and Estra. They’d all lost so much to AB. Kel didn’t doubt that Coup’s words were true.

Kel kissed him one last time, a soft, lingering touch that she seared into her mind.

Then Coup helped her onto Savita’s back.

He could barely stand close enough to boost her up. Kel could feel Savita’s heat, but it was nothing compared to the heavy lead in her bones and the comforting fire in her veins. She laid low against Savita’s back and gripped fistfuls of feathers. Whatever happened next, she was ready.

Savita screamed again and wasted no time before launching into the sky. Kel let out a scream alongside Savita, wondering if anyone below could see her amid Savita’s blazing glory. If they could see the girl riding the sun across the starry sky.

It took all of Kel’s strength to hold on. She didn’t know where Savita was heading—somewhere safe, or perhaps to Kel’s death. She could feel the phoenix heating up around her, the flames expanding and shifting color.

Preparing to rebirth.

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