“She is your responsibility, Draikis.”
“She is. And I apologize for my failing. But she knows now, and if you will but step aside, I will escort her out of the dining hall to enjoy her meal in another location. Unless, that is, you wish for her to stay.”
Totaxxis stared hard at the priest but stepped aside, allowing Ella to rise. Draikis picked up her plate and took her by the arm, leading her to the door in a hurry.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to offend anyone.”
“Shh. Wait until we are outside.”
Ella held her tongue for the duration of the walk, worried she’d somehow messed things up with the hot priest. But the look on his face, while stern, was not one of true anger. She didn’t know how she knew it, but she was certain this was all an act for any prying eyes. Once they were safely outdoors, that was confirmed.
He released her arm and turned to her, a tender look in his eyes once more. “That was not a good idea. You should have waited for me to bring you your meal.”
“I just didn’t want to be a burden.”
“And the intent is appreciated. But the results are, well, they are something of a mess.”
“Sorry.”
He reached out and gently squeezed her shoulder. “It’s okay, Ella. It’s not your fault. You just have much to learn.”
“Will you teach me?”
“Whatever I can, I will. But now is time for you to eat. Regain your strength. You appear whole, but despite outwardappearances, you are still healing. I would not have any setbacks in your recovery.”
“I understand.”
His warm smile threatened to melt her into a puddle. “I know you do. You are a very smart woman. Like none I’ve ever met, truth be told. You will learn, of that I am certain.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
The pair walked in silence a little while, exiting the structure and into the fresh air of one of the larger interior courtyard’s garden paths. Ella was surprised just how comfortable it was being with him like this, quiet yet without the need for constant chatter. So many would fill a void with empty words, uneasy with silence. Not so, this one. Draikis was many things, and comfortable in his own skin was certainly one of them.
It was an interesting contrast to the other brothers in his order. Her presence flustered them, obviously, but Draikis had stood out from the beginning. Even from the earliest days he had treated her well and without the obvious distraction of the others, so it clearly wasn’t the friendship they had forged that was the difference. He was just wired differently than them, it seemed, and she was quite glad for it.
“Over here,” he suggested, leading her to a bench beneath a fuchsia-leaved tree, its colors illuminated by the sun’s glowing rays.
He handed her plate to Ella as they sat. She tucked in and was several mouthfuls into her meal before she spoke.
“Thanks for that.”
“Of course. I’m sorry for that back there. They have a lot to learn in the ways of courtesy.”
“I’m not supposed to be in there. You guys have rules, I get it.”
“But exceptions are acceptable, especially given your arrival within our walls. For an outsider to just walk in is one thing, naturally, and their reactions would have clear merit. For you, however, some considerations should have been made.”
“And Totaxxis just doesn’t like me.”
“I’d argue he is just being protective of the order’s ways, but I can’t disagree with your observation.”
“He’s kind of a dick.”
Draikis laughed. “Yes, I suppose you could say that, if my translation rune understood that correctly.”
“I’m sure it did,” she replied with an amused gleam in her eyes. “Still, I worry I’m stepping on toes here.”
“At times,” he said with a chuckle. “But it is to be expected.”
