The Stars Said Hello [1]

C H A P T E R - 2 3

"Now you're calling me at home and dragging me out of bed? Maybe it was better when you were afraid of me," Elwin teased. His smile faded when she showed him the blackish-purple blisters on her hands. "How did you do that?"

"I was just trying to bottle the light from Elementine."

"Elementine?" He pulled a small pot from his satchel and spread a thick green salve over the burns. "Never heard of it."

"I told you it wasn't real," Dex said.

"But I found it," she insisted as Elwin sprinkled purple powder on top of the salve. "The scope got really hot when I flipped the latch, and it burned me."

Elwin wrapped her hands with thick blue cloth. "I've never heard of that happening. It's always an adventure with you, Sophie—I'll give you that."

The annoying part was she couldn't argue. Why did weird things keep happening to her?

"Is that helping the pain?" Elwin asked.

"Yes. Thanks."

"Good." He poured a bottle of Youth over the cloth, soaking it through. "Did you bottle the light?"

"I don't know." In all the chaos she hadn't bothered to look.

"I'll check it." Dex ran over to the scope, which was still where Sophie had dropped it. "There's something in it, but it's weird."

"Don't touch it," Elwin ordered. "Last thing I need is another patient."

Sophie hung her head. "I'm sorry I woke you."

"Don't worry about it. Gives me a good story to tell tomorrow."

She sighed. Marella and Keefe were going to have a field day with this.

Elwin unwrapped her hands. The blisters were gone, but the skin was red and raw. He stroked his chin. "That should've worked better."

"It doesn't hurt anymore."

"That's because the salve numbs you. I'm going to have to make a stronger balm. Wait right here."

She nodded miserably. Where would she go?

Elwin glittered away, and Dex plopped beside her.

"You don't have to wait with me."

"Like I would leave you in the middle of nowhere at night, injured. What kind of friend do you think I am?"

"But you must be cold."

"Nope. I can regulate my body temperature. See?" He touched her cheek, and she was surprised at how warm his skin was. "Want me to teach you how to do it tomorrow?"

"I can't. I'm going to Fitz and Biana's."

"Ugh. Another day at the palace. Be sure to wear your crown."

"Are you ever going to stop that?"

"Doesn't look like it."

"They're my friends. I wish you could be a little nicer about it."

"Hey, I hold a lot back."

She laughed. "Somehow I doubt that."

He ripped a handful of grass and tossed it away. "You just like seeing Wonderboy. Please don't tell me you have some stupid crush on him."

"Of course not." She could feel her cheeks blush and was glad once again for the darkness.

Dex ripped more grass by the roots. "Then what is it? Why do you like him?"