---
And though they didn't say it aloud, both of them felt the adult spark starting to grow—slow and cautious, but no less fierce than the flames that had just stitched his skin whole.
Fenna squeezed his hand once before letting go. "Let's finish the boar before someone comes looking for it."
Zephyr smirked. "Still thinking about that kiss, though."
"Later," she said.
But her eyes said maybe sooner than that.
A few steps away, Muse paced in irritated circles, her injured cheek glowing faintly from the shallow tusk-scratch. Aurora hovered beside her, chirping with concern for her seat. The cow stopped, gave the chick a long suffering look, and licked her gently once, causing the phoenix to squeak indignantly and puff up like a tiny ember dandelion.
Muse mooed once. It was gruff but steady and returned to glaring at the dead boar.
