"There's a difference between making your own decision and having it made for you." And I moved to sit beside him on the massive mattress. "But how are you feeling?"
"Like the stitches itch," he said. "My entire abdomen is weak, and I'm so ready to soak in a bath."
"A few more days," I soothed. "Naomi said I can take the sutures out on day fifteen."
"A week," he grumbled. "Ayla, that's one more week of washing with a cloth and bucket. Of having Zasen wash my hair!"
"Ask Rymar," I teased.
Kanik chuckled, pressing his hands to his wound a split-second later. "Oh, no hard laughing. But you have a point. Ry would be more help. Zasen may have learned medicine, but his bedside manner sucks."
"Rymar would be thrilled if you asked." I reached over for his hand. "And I can help too."
"I tend to be naked when bathing," he warned. "You know, because while I can't fill the tub, I can still use it to keep from making a mess."
I glanced away to hide the smile trying to take over my lips. "But Zasen says it's okay. And Rymar did it in front of me."
"Did what?"
"Was naked!" I hissed, trying to keep my voice down. "And I survived it too. I would probably blush, but I will help you if you need me to, Kanik!"
"Ayla, you saved my life. I think that's more than enough." And he squeezed my hand gently. "I also think Ry would like to be asked, so I'll try that. It's mostly that I hate being injured. I want to get back to school. I know the substitute is making a mess of my lesson plans, and I had only barely gotten to know my kids." He paused, pressing his lips together. "AndI don't get paid if I'm not there."
"But we have a house fund," I reminded him. "Kanik, I put all the bear money in there - " I stopped hard, realizing the problem with that. "But we had to use it for taxes, right?"
"Right," he said.
"Which is really how Holly got paid for."
"Taxes," he insisted. "They just happened to come out at the same time. I also happen to think those taxes were the best decision you ever made." And he winked.
I giggled. "Which means I'm right!"
"That's one thing you will never get any of us to talk about, Ayla, so give up. Holly is your dog, my hero, and the money isn't there."
"So Zasen and I will kill another bear," I told him.
"No." He shook his head to make the point. "Bears kill people, and we do not need three of us laid up with injuries. No, I just hate being broke. I hate that everyone is helping and I don't feel like I'm helping back. It makes me feel useless."
"But you're not," I promised. "Kanik, this is simply me repaying all you did for me. You taught me Vestrian, and the three of you saved my life too. See? It's all equal, so hate it if you want, but friends help, and I like being able to help you." I chewed on my lower lip, but couldn't keep from adding, "And I'm glad you're alive to need my help."
"Yeah, me too," he said just as a bark rang out from above. He pointed at it. "I think your dog misses you."
"Rymar's playing with her," I explained.
"Mhm, while you wait on me." He took my hand and lifted it to his lips to kiss my fingers. "Thank you. Now make Zasen wash those, and go save your dog."
"What about you?"
He leaned enough to reach a book on the bedside table. "I'm going to read about ancient war weapons. You know, like grenades."
"Okay," I relented, pushing to my feet. "Zasen's out there. Yell if you need anything?"
"Promise," he said.
I gathered up the dishes again, and finally left. The door didn't get locked anymore. No one in here needed the privacy, and it was actually quite nice. Helping Kanik while he'd been home had changed things a bit, but in a way which proved these men hadn't treated me this way because I was a woman.
They were doing the same thing for Kanik. Theexactsame thing.
