Page 91 of Of Flame and Fury

Rahn nodded, a slow blush creeping into her cheeks. “There were rose petals.”

Kel shifted, and Coup slid one hand around her waist. The casualness of his touch made her stomach flip.

“Congratulations?” Bekn said, almost a question. He rubbed hishands together, brow creased in thought. “Do I need to get HR forms drawn up if multiple Howlers are dating each other?”

Kel’s face started blazing. She had no clue if she and Coup weredating—and she didn’t want Bekn’s legal musings to prompt that conversation.

Coup scoffed, seemingly unfazed. “You don’t need to put out a company-wide memo, brother. We’re just… putting in some overtime together.”

“Andwe’retaking a hands-on approach to team bonding,” Dira drawled, slinging an arm around her newly official girlfriend.

“All right,” Bekn interrupted, raising a hand. “I’m leaving before I throw up on expensive rehab equipment.”

“Coup,” Dira said, pointing at him. “You haven’t left the hospital wing since Kel was brought in. Go take a shower. You reek.”

Kel mouthedThank youto Dira. Coup placed his hand against his chest in mock hurt before pulling away.

“Go,” Kel laughed. “Dira’s right. You need to rest. You’re still recovering, too. Take a shower and sleep in your own bed for a change. I’ll be out of the hospital tomorrow, anyway.”

So long as her final medical assessment went well, everything would be back to normal. She could see Savita. She could call the construction team at her farm and check their progress. She could befree.

Coup’s eyes scanned her. “Promise you’ll try to get some sleep tonight without me there to pin your arms to the bed?”

Kel’s stomach tightened at his words, smothering a laugh as Bekn made a gagging sound and hurried toward the exit. Dira and Rahn swapped weary expressions.

“Cross my heart,” she said.

“You better,” Dira interrupted. “You’ve been socrankythe last few weeks.”

Kel glared at Dira.

Coup inched closer. “I’ll be back in the morning. We can make sure Bekn holds up his end of the bargain and makes enough pancakes to feed the entire building.”

Kel squeezed his arm. “Sounds perfect.”

Once Dira, Coup and Bekn had left through the main entrance and only Rahn remained, still examining the mechanical rehab tools as if to use them in their next CAPR race, another door slid open. Kel assumed Arren had forgotten something.

Instead, through the side door, marched Cristo.

Rahn frowned, inching closer to Kel.

Ever since Kel had woken up in hospital, Cristo had remained a ghost. She hadn’t had a chance to thank him for his facility’s treatment, or scream at him for making them enter the last race. Rahn claimed she’d tried to speak with him, and yet even she’d been turned away.

Their boss’s blue blazer was unbuttoned, revealing a plain white shirt beneath. His dark hair was slicked back, though stray strands poked out around his ears. When he moved closer, Kel could see the shadows hollowing his cheeks, the red veins ringing his dark irises.

“I’m so glad I caught you, Kelyn. I’ve been wanting to check on you,” Cristo began. “I’m sorry I couldn’t come sooner. But I’ve made every arrangement to ensure that you have the best care.”

A strange, unsettled expression clouded his features. Hairs pricked on her neck.

“Is it true what the papers are saying?” she asked. “That Savita’s behavior might draw council attention?”

After Coup had shown herNova Press’s scathing article, Kel had found several more like it.

Cristo fiddled with his sleeves. “I’m doing what I can, but yes, it does seem that way.”

“Has the council contacted you?” Rahn asked.

Cristo cleared his throat. “Like I said, I’m doing everything I can.”

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