Arlédafe’s Reviews > Under the Earth, Over the Sky > Status Update

«When her fingers brush his, the shadows staining his fingers drain back into hers. “I'm frightened.”»

«What would she think of watching me so vulnerable? Speaking the words is one thing, but letting her see the reward he has reaped from his actions feels forbidden. [...] He knows his silence and chill are troublesome to Rúnda. Always, he has attempted to speak the words in his heart and fallen short.»

«Iohmar looked at himself, touched a hand to his chest, and found himself more in pieces than together.»

«He loves the soundless woods, the hissing silence of the desert, and the crash of the ocean, which is an empty and full quiet. This is different, pressing on all sides, and he wishes to be rid of it.»

«She presses her lips between his shoulder blades. “You smell of stone.”

“Stone?”

“Mmm. River stones. It's quite lovely.”

Iohmar thinks of the sweet, calm cool of water over river rock and smiles into the darkness.»

«“Forgive me,” he says. Acting childish is shameful, but he couldn't be in the presence of anyone, even her.

She shakes her head. “There's nothing to forgive, Io.”

He turns his face from her. Understanding is a strange thing, particularly when he doesn't understand it himself.»

«He wraps his fingers around her arm, warm and solid and safe. He is going to scream.

“Excuse me,” he whispers.»