Liar
Part One, Chapter Five
Because they are children grown up fast – because they are barely adults nurtured by the lessons of loss and pain – they lie. Because they are the things they did not hope to become – they believe in those lies.
"Come on," he says as he rises from his knees, and hesitates to help her up. But he does anyway. Again, the red cloak around his shoulders shifts and the movement reminds her of something it is not, of something hot and liquid, of something that is supposed to be in her veins. She frowns. Reality is back, and it is colder than before.
All intimacy forgotten, Cyclonis wipes her dirtied cheek with the back of her hand and refuses to follow the Sky Knight. She is stubborn and is prepared to remain in her echoing castle, to die along with it. She hasn't stepped outside for several hours, so the state of her nation is unknown to her. But to be seen escorted outside by Atmosia's Messiah is an assured way to secure her death sentence.
"Come on," he repeats, more urgently and perhaps with just a little more concern. Green eyes are oblivious to the wariness in hers. He knows they have to leave before others will come; this victory is his alone. And so to get her to move, he mentions the one name that may spare her further pain.
"Let's get out of here. Piper's waiting for you."