Ivy found herself lingering on the elf, her dark eyes following her as she y down. Letting out a softer breath than usual, she smiled. Genuinely — the way she used to smile only with Iran. Maybe she really did like boys, not real men, though the dark-skinned girl had nothing against women.

  Staring up at the ceiling, she nodded at the st words, her hair shifting across the floor, gathering more dust.

  — I don’t think you’re a whore, Yanael. You’re right. A lot of elves live here and suffer, aching for home. It’s understandable. Not everyone enjoys being ripped out of their native nd.

  Ivy turned her head toward the woman, then only sighed and closed her eyes.

  No. Even if they were talking about passion and living in the here and now, even with that fucking threat hanging over them, the dark-skinned girl loved Iran. It had been hard to understand before, hard to expin, but why not? She was free to love whoever she wanted, even if they had no future. Spending her st days working side by side with lively Yanael felt like the best option in her situation. At least she wouldn’t have to die inside every time she stood near Iran, even in silence, making things worse just by existing next to him.

  — Thank you. Maybe you really are right. I kept thinking maybe I should talk to him one more time, but what’s the point? He’ll tell me to fuck off, even if he agrees to listen. Proud bastard. I’d rip that pride right out of him and make him... Fuck. Anyway, if I talk to him, it’ll be ter. We need time.

  She began massaging the bridge of her nose.

  — I’m no expert in love myself. I was going to run off closer to the sea, remember? Ended up here instead. First to pay off a debt, and now in the name of love... Sounds so damn sugary, doesn’t it? Makes my teeth hurt.

  — Heh. That’s an understatement. I don’t get you. I don’t believe in that shitty love. Never felt it, never will. So I’d rather have fun with whoever interests me or just catches my eye. You get it, funny little spider?

  Yanael covered her eyes with her hand and sighed. Then she stretched out, arms and legs spread, fttening herself against the stone floor, feeling its cold seep into her back.

  — I fucking hate whining, so I try not to think about the shitty stuff from the past either. What’s tomorrow gonna bring? Maybe we’ll all die the fuck tomorrow. You’ve heard about the demons, right? I’ve never seen them, but the legends say they leave nothing but fucking ash behind. Not even my beautiful body would survive — just a pile of tiny bones. Hell of a crew. So what if this is our st day, huh? Or maybe when we go our separate ways, we’ll regret something. Not letting ourselves do what we wanted. Missing so many damn good chances. Maybe I’ll regret it. Maybe you will. What difference does it make? Better to take everything life gives you. Trust me. I’m one hell of a slut — I know what I’m talking about.

  The elf was clearly remembering something, even though she’d said she didn’t want to. She began rocking side to side, shaking her head as if trying to fling the memory out of her subconscious.

  — I get it, beautiful lioness.

  The peasant girl ughed, giving the elf her first nickname. She really was like a lioness — dominant, and to hell with what anyone thought.

  — I’ve heard a little. And yeah, I agree. Life’s too fast to waste it whining.

  Ivy smirked, resting her hands back on her stomach. She y still for a moment, repying the elf’s words again and again.

  Her own phrase made her heart tremble. It was true. That was how she used to live. So why not now? What had changed? Iran? It wasn’t his fault she liked him. He wasn’t the first man she’d ache over, and he wouldn’t be the st. And should she even? She’d always chosen herself. What changed now? Choosing someone else had only pushed her far back, and she hated that.

  Still listening to the quiet rustle of hair against the floor beside her, Ivy suddenly sat up. Then she shifted closer, leaning in until her face was near Yanael’s. She’d never been one to think about consequences. And she didn’t pn to push things too far. Without even meeting the elf’s eyes, the peasant girl pressed a damp kiss to Yanael’s cheek, then pulled back slightly and y down beside her.

  — Thank you. For telling me how you see the world.

  The short phrase came straight from the heart. Ivy closed her eyes, a sly, almost fox-like smile lingering on her lips.

  — Good night, Yanael. We’ve got a lot of work tomorrow. If you ever want to talk about your past, I’d be gd to listen. When I get my first pay, drinks are on me. I hope you’ve got something stronger than honey ale and summer wines.

  — Looks like you’ve gotten pretty damn bold, homeless bunny.

  Yanael rolled over, rose to her knees, and fixed her hair. Then she stretched her arms forward and slid along the floor, arching like a rge, graceful cat, pushing her hips back as if answering Ivy’s nickname. Finally, she flopped onto her stomach carelessly — and immediately began to snore softly. Out cold on the stone floor within seconds.

  Ivy opened her eyes and looked at the sleeping elf, surprised. Fell asleep that fast. Iran probably could too — but he was a ranger. And she...

  Hmm. Who was Yanael, really?

  It didn’t matter that much. Closing her eyes again, Ivy tried to sink into oblivion.