The boy with night as his hair and rubies as his eyes had returned, just as he had promised.
Severine was sitting near the stone wall, gazing at the shy mimosa plant that shriveled at her touch.
Killian appeared like a ghost from the trees. He reached into his shorts pocket and pulled out a crinkled, colorful bag. From it, he took a small, orange, fish-shaped cracker and held it out to her.
"Eat this," he commanded, his chin raised higher, clearly proud of his actions. "My mother made these. It'll make you super strong."
Severine hesitated. Her mother, Isabella, was always talking about "strength" and "discipline," but it usually involved bitter teas and grueling etiquette lessons.
She looked at the little orange fish. It had a very tasty smell to it.
"Like Sunman?" she blurted out.
Killian tilted his head, pondering, "Maybe? Or maybe like Seaman? It is a fish, and fish live in a sea."
"Oh."
That... made a bit of sense.
So this boy wasn't that stupid.
"Fine. I'll eat."
