Page 90 of Of Flame and Fury

Dira poked her tongue out. Rahn giggled, encouraging Kel forward, before returning to inspect the tools inside the crate.

Rahn had surprised Kel by visiting her in hospital almost as much as Coup had, both with and without Dira. Though it had been a battle of wills to keep Rahn from blaming herself for Kel’s fall, Kel felt a newfound ease in Rahn’s presence. The technician had brought Kel desserts from her favorite bakery and asked for endless details of her encounter with the Fume, as if preparing to find and battle them herself on Kel’s behalf.

After another minute of Kel stumbling forward, Rahn stood. She moved beside Dira.

“Imagine that I’m Savita. You’d try harder than this to get toher.”

Kel ground her teeth as she pushed and pushed until the band around her stomach seemed to loosen, just a little, allowing for two more steps. She wasso close.

Dira’s lips pulled up in a lopsided smirk. “If you get to the end, Bekn will make enough pancakes to feed every one of Cristo’s phoenixes.”

Bekn sighed. “Only if Kel and Coup promise to stay out of the hospital.”

They all laughed, and that sound—deep and high and gruff and teasing—spurred Kel on. Step by step, with sweat beading down her back, Kel forced herself forward.

“Iwas moving faster than this on day one of recovery,” Coup taunted. He clutched the ends of the bars ahead of her, drumming his fingers and waggling his brows. “You really want me to hold that over you?”

“Why is everything a competition to you?” Kel muttered.

Kel grumbled as Coup laughed, and she shoved herself along the last stretch of the bars. The band loosened around her stomach. The shift in pressure sent her tumbling forward, headfirst toward the hard ground just beyond the matting—

And then Coup was there, catching her before she could hit the floor, arms wrapped tightly around her.

The two hadn’t talked more about whatever it was that had so recently blossomed between them. But theyhadagreed to wait until Kel was out of hospital before having that conversation. Still, their agreement hadn’t kept Coup from refusing to leave her bedside. It hadn’t kept them from stealing kisses when the hospital was empty, and the lights dimmed. They’d fallen asleep together most nights, sharing that cramped hospital mattress. Coup’s arms had encircled her and she’d buried her face into the crook of his arm, and it felt as right as if she was curled under Savita’s wing.

“Nice work, tamer,” he whispered. She felt his lips faintly brush her hair.

She heard Arren mutter something before he scuttled out of the room, signaling the end of Kel’s session. She hardly noticed, with Coup’s arms wrapped around her.

Dira snorted. “Well done, Kel. You’ll recover in record time out of spite.”

Kel straightened, resisting the urge to cling to Coup’s warmth. His arms remained on her back, only lightening a fraction.

“Don’t you want a reward?” Coup batted his lashes.

Kel’s cheeks heated. “Depends what kind you have in mind.”

His lips twisted into a familiar, wicked smirk. “The kind that isn’t appropriate for a crowd.”

Kel couldn’t help it. She laughed, leaning into his embrace, her hands tightening around his arms.

Behind her, the room fell silent.

Eventually, Coup and Kel turned to see the remaining Howlers watching them with slack jaws.

Rahn pointed at Kel and Coup. “When did this happen?”

Dira pointed between Kel and Coup, as if trying to solve a puzzle. “No idea. I thought they hated each other. But they’re both assholes, so I’m terrified what kind of tyrannical power they’ll wield together.”

The winger turned to Bekn. A wild grin was plastered to his face.

“I knew it. Iknewit!” He laughed, a loud, hearty sound, and threw up his hands. Kel wouldn’t have been surprised if he’d broken out into a jig.

“Quit ogling,” Kel said.

“Well, if nauseating PDA is officially sanctioned, Rahn and I will be putting you to shame.” Dira turned to Rahn with a raised brow. After a silent exchange, Rahn nodded, and Dira smirked. “Last night, Rahn and I made it official. I performed a romantic gesture like none of you will ever come close to achieving.”

Kel beamed. “Official, huh?”

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