“Maybe I should have come alone. You could go wait by the boat.”
He stiffened. “Absolutely not. You have no idea what might be waiting for you. The Shu may have already gotten to your friends.”
Nina did not want to think about that. “Then you need to calm down and try to look friendly.”
Matthias shook out his arms and relaxed his features.
“Friendly, not sleepy. Just … pretend everyone you meet is a kitten you’re trying not to scare.”
Matthias looked positively affronted. “Animals love me.”
“Fine. Pretend they’re toddlers. Shy toddlers who will wet themselves if you’re not nice.”
“Very well, I’ll try.”