VI. CHINWIG
The slap is cold against his cheek.
"I thought you were dead."
"I know."
"You aren't dead."
"Obviously."
"Shut up. You look like a bum."
"I know."
"I hate you."
"Alright then."
His eyes are heavy lidded and relaxed and, despite the censure heating her words, a big smile is stretched across his face. Her eyes are sharp and hurt, her jaw tightly clenched.
"I missed you." He tells her.
"Why didn't you come to see me, then?" She demands, wanting to follow his logic—the reason why he spent so much time away from her; hiding just outside the city, close enough to touch.
"Because I couldn't."
"That's a bullshit reason and you know it."
"I know." He sighs. "But I still love you."
Aranwen's lips are warm against Price's cheek.
"Shave off the soup-catcher and you can have a real kiss, Redire."
Price only grins.