Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 12)

“Thanks.” She took it and took a few steps back, unwrapping it. She looked down at the honey comb expecting to feel excitement, but it was dread that bubbled up in her instead. Apparently even sweets were a chore these days.

Perhaps she should just wrap it back up and claim she’d eat it in her room. Then feed it to Tasia instead.

Emery unwrapped his immediately and started eating.

Ky took a half-hearted bite and chewed it more than she needed to, feeling as though it stuck to each and every centimeter of her throat as she swallowed.

"How is it?" he asked.

She forced herself to swallow it all the way. “Good… you?”

"Loving it." He smiled. "Nostalgia all the way."

Ky took another tiny nibble and then started wrapping it back up. “But very, very sweet.”

"True enough." He glanced at her skeptically.

She swallowed again to try to force her throat to clear. “I think I’ll save the rest for later.”

Emery gave her a look but he didn't push it. "If you want to."

She nodded and tied off the packaging. Should she make a run for it now? Or wait?

He looked around, still chewing. "Well, let me know how Tomhas is, please. I think I'll go read in the library."

“Okay,” she said quietly, nodding and stepping towards the door. “Will do.”

Emery also headed for the door. "I hope this helped a bit. It does work better if you sprint, but I had a good time talking with you."

“…I did too,” she said. Ish. Not really, but it felt rude not to reciprocate. She started for the stairs. “But I don’t run.”