Nalyx felt his face flush. But it was from more than just embarrassment that he actuallyhadn’tbeen showing Gantalla the pleasures of knowing a warrior. She’d made it clear she didn’t appreciate the overt attempts at seduction from the rest of the warriors, and he wondered how she’d react to Calium.
To his relief, Gantalla laughed. “Well, so far, I’ve seen that his ego is bigger than his… sword. But his shoulder will heal, given time, so I’m willing to overlook that for now.”
Calium gave a hearty laugh, slapping Nalyx on the back again. “Now there’s a woman with a way with words. I dare say you’re going to have your hands full with this one.”
“Looks like the performance is about to start,” Gantalla said, turning her attention to the nearby stage. “I have it on good advice that this is going to be a sight worth seeing.”
“You’ve got that right,” Calium said. “Best drummers in the entire city. Come on. Let’s find some seats before all the good spots are taken.”
An hour and a half later, Nalyx accepted the latest offering of meat from Gantalla’s fork, moaning in pleasure at the taste of the rich gravy. “Boris outdid himself tonight,” he said, around his mouthful. “Damn, that’s a good roast.” The drummers had given a lively performance, earning thunderous applause from the crowd, then they’d all settled in for a good meal. But Nalyx was slower at eating than the rest of them, and now, Calium and a few of his buddies had wandered off to see which of the ladies they could tempt to join them for the evening, leaving Nalyx alone with Gantalla.
“Maybe this is a silly question,” Gantalla said, “but… what is this?” She nudged the remains of a mushy pile on the plate.
“That’s quiche,” Nalyx said. “Essentially, it’s onion and mushrooms, drowned in a puddle of eggs and cheese, and then baked in a hot oven. You don’t have that in Gadash?”
“No, I haven’t seen it before.”
“Have you tasted it?” Gantalla shook her head. “Try it, then,” Nalyx prompted her. “It doesn’t match up to the roast, but it’s still pretty good.”
Hesitantly, she took a small forkful. Nalyx tried not to watch as the fork disappeared between her lips, an image appearing unbidden in his mind of what her mouth would look like wrapped around a particular part of his anatomy. Then she smiled, her eyes fluttering closed, her lashes long and dark against her smooth skin. “Wow, that’s just heavenly.”
He grinned at her enjoyment, then swallowed back a curse as his dick suddenly woke up. Fuck, he’d managed to get through a whole day without thinking about bedding a woman, but now that the idea had occurred to him, he felt an urgent and insistent throbbing in his groin.
“Well, well,” a deep voice interrupted them. “If it isn’t our local hero. Telling stories about how you slew that unicorn? Oh, but wait… You didn’t, did you.Idid. While you got carted off on a stretcher like a baby.”
Nalyx muttered a curse under his breath. The night had been going so well, and Hallix just had to come along and ruin it.
“Hello, Hallix,” Gantalla said, looking up at him. “Enjoying the evening? I know I am.” She ran a hand down Nalyx’s arm and smiled smugly. But despite her conversational tone, Nalyx could see the way her shoulders tensed, and suddenly, he wondered what else Hallix had said to her recently. She hadn’t been anywhere near so defensive about Calium, despite his obvious flirting.
“You’ve got her on a tight leash, don’t you Nalyx,” Hallix said, deliberately mispronouncing Nalyx’s name. “Wrapped around your little finger like you’re afraid she’s going to run off and find a better companion for the evening?”
“Jealous, are you?” Gantalla said. “If you’re looking for company, I’m sure Fin is around here somewhere. Oh, but that’s right. She’s spending the night with Henrick again. Hm, too bad.”
Nalyx grinned at that. If there was anything likely to get under Hallix’s skin, it was comparing him to his brother.
But Hallix just snorted. “Nothing to say, Nalyx? It’s a sad day when a woman has to defend you, if you’re not willing to do it yourself.”
“I don’t need anyone to defend me,” Nalyx said, wishing he could think of a witty retort. No doubt one would come to him after Hallix had made his point and left.
“Except forme, of course,” Hallix said. “When you lost a fight and got yourself stabbed in the process.” Hallix turned back to Gantalla. “Did he mention that I had tocarryhim back from the forest? Nothing wrong with his legs, but he couldn’t even manage to stand on his own two feet.”
Gantalla said nothing, no condescending sympathy or cutting remark. And as the seconds ticked by, Nalyx could imagine what she was thinking. That he was a weak fighter, a failure, a disappointment to the army. Of course he hadn’t mentioned being carried before, but the announcement must come as a rude shock. Why was she even hanging around with him?
But the answer came to him easily enough, and he was suddenly embarrassed that he hadn’t thought of it earlier. Right from the first night, she’d been doing every menial little task for him, jumping in and offering before he could even ask. But at the same time, she’d asked for nothing in return, when most of the women would have been dropping hints about expecting a new necklace or a fancy pair of earrings. And now, she’d actually decided she’d found her calling in being a nurse… after running around looking after him for days.
Well, that was embarrassing. She didn’t see him as a strong, proud man in need of a little assistance; she saw him as a helpless patient. And maybe that was true. He hadn’t been able to clean his own armour, or give himself a bath. He hadn’t even managed to take his own pants off, as simple as that job should have been.
And Hallix, that bastard, saw from the expression on Nalyx’s face that his barbs had hit home. “Well, enjoy your evening,” he said with a smirk. “It’s fortunate Gantalla’s got such a kind heart, feeding a warrior like a baby. If you get tired of playing nurse, come and find me. I’ll show you what arealman can do for you.” He strode off, a swagger in his step.
“Ignore him,” Gantalla said, loading up the fork she was holding with the next mouthful. “He’s just being petty.” She held up the fork, but suddenly, Nalyx had had enough.
“You know what? I think I’m good,” he said, standing up.
Gantalla looked up at him in surprise. “But you haven’t finished your meal.”
“I’m not hungry,” he snapped, and suddenly, he wasn’t. “I’m sure you have more interesting things to do than wasting your time with me. I’m going to find myself something to drink.” He stalked off, not bothering to wait for her reply.
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