Edward felt much better after a good nap and a shave, much more like himself than he had in several months. When he heard the commotion downstairs, his first thought was that one of the steam ravens had gotten in, and he was almost relieved to find that the problem was more human in nature.
Iris sat on a chair by Marie’s bed. Pins barely contained her white-blonde hair, and she looked somewhat disheveled, but she maintained a certain angel of mercy look. The thought made him clench at the bottom of his heart-well, the familiar sting of guilt unfurling there. She had been so kind and patient with him, but he knew there was a countdown to their time together, that he would eventually hurt and destroy her.
He shook his head. He had sworn to himself that he wouldn’t let these thoughts intrud
