Page 79 of Suncatcher

“I’m not a likable person.”

“Yes you are.”

“I don’t even like myself most of the time.”

“I like you.”

“Why?” Pearl was an insect with her wings pinned, exposed and helpless beneath Driz’s gaze. She instantly tensed to throw up her walls, to shoot before the inevitable fire, but she forced herself to wait for Driz’s response.

“You chose to see me when you did not have to. You make my heart pound when I am around you. You are caring and loyal.”

“I’m not,” Pearl countered, overwhelmed already by Driz’s answer and wishing she’d never asked.

“You care about your people.”

“The people I just abandoned, you mean?”

Driz looked down. “You put yourself in danger to protect them. That is care, is it not?”

“That’s duty and responsibility.”

Driz was quiet for a while. “When you shot that cinderwolf last night, was that duty? Did you stay with me because you felt responsible?”

Pearl had to look away. “Yes.”

Driz watched her in silence until Pearl relented.

“Maybe not.”

“You brought me pie. And you kissed me. You like firefoxes too. And you accepted my gifts.”

Pearl touched the pendant that still hung from her neck.

Driz’s eyes fell to it, and a frown appeared on her brow. “Why was your mother so angry?”

Pearl wanted to burrow into the sand so she wouldn’t have to answer. She’d just committed to being honest, but she wasn’t certain telling Driz the truth would be wise. Especially not right now. “My mother’s got a bad past with goyles. A prejudice, you could say.”

“Do you think there is any way I can change her mind?”

Gods, Driz was too much sometimes. She was too earnest. Her heart was so gentle. Pearl had always been the monster between the two of them. “It doesn’t matter,” Pearl said. “I’m not going back there anytime soon.”

“But you will miss your home?”

Pearl shrugged, choosing not to answer that. Instead, she focused on Driz. Her tattered shirt gaped open. Desire flickered through Pearl with the light playing over Driz’s damaged skin. Pearl truly was monstrous.

Pearl leaned over and, at the last moment, reminded herself to divert from Driz’s lips to her cheek.

Pearl still ached with regret at Driz’s earlier confusion. Pearl had been playing with her without explaining the rules. But not anymore. She wouldn’t touch Driz again. Pearl ruined what she touched.

“I’m not promising you anything,” she said against Driz’s jaw. “But I’m not letting you go either. I know that’s not fair, but it’s all I got right now. Will you take it?”

Driz answered by kissing her back. Driz hauled her into her lap and Pearl went, already breaking her new resolve to keep her hands to herself. Until Driz let out a faint hiss.

Pearl forced herself to pull back. “I’m hurting you.”

Driz’s eyes flickered. “I do not mind.”

“I mind.” Pearl traced the damaged side of Driz’s face, where the red scarring blended into the waving striation pattern on her skin. “You speak so funny.”