I leaned back and crossed my arms over my chest. “Well, do you tell them about these operations? I’m not saying bring some of them along for the ride, but maybe telling them you’re in the neighborhood helping them would show them you care.”
He lifted an eyebrow. “That is astounding.”
I blinked at him, and my crossed arms faltered a little. “What is?”
“You have given me the exact opposite advice as some of my other counselors.”
I snorted and readjusted my arms. “Well, maybe they need to get out and see the people, too. And maybe you can throw parties for the people where you mingle with them. People always like someone who’s willing to drink with them over a barrel of whiskey, especially if you paid for it and not them.”
He stared at me for a long moment, long enough that I began to squirm beneath that steady look. Then the smile returned, curling onto his lips with a warmth that made me blush. “You’re quite right, of course. I shall have to throw a party upon my return, and such a celebration the people shall remember for many years.”
I snorted. “Just don’t break the royal treasury doing it. They might expect it every year.”
He didn’t take his eyes off me as he slowly shook his head. “No, I don’t expect it to happen every year.” He shifted and winced.
My eyes widened. “I’m so sorry! All this talking and I haven’t even finished cleaning you up!”
“The job is just about finished,” he assured me as he raised his arm to inspect the wound. “You need only bandage the wound, and we shall set off.”
My legs twinged at the thought of more riding. “To get me fixed up?”
“Exactly.”
I plucked the bandages from the ground and a roll of tape. “Where are we going to get rid of this ghast stuff in me?”
“Those most capable of removing such poison are the adders of the Whispering Scree.”
I paused midway through unrolling the tape, and my face drooped. “Snakes?”
“Yes. They are the best equipped to remove deadly poisons and the like from us.”
I hunched over and grumbled a few words. “Of course it would have to be snakes…”
“Is that a problem?”
I froze and hung my head. “I, um, I’m not fond of snakes.”
Cassian chuckled. “These are not as fearsome as the wild ones that roam the land, but you’ll see. Here, let me help hold one end of the bandage.”
With his help, he was soon partially mummified. The dark night sky had faded into the soft glow of twilight. The forest came alive, not with the nightmares of darkness but with the sweet chirp of birds. Squirrels skittered about across the trees and glared down at us on high. I even glimpsed a few deer.
The sight of familiar animals soothed my mind, but not my body. That didn’t take kindly to the brightening day at all.
“Are you feeling well?”
The sudden question caused me to jump. I twisted my head around and blinked at my companion. “What do you mean?”
“You’re shifting in the saddle quite often,” he pointed out as his mesmerizing blue eyes examined me. “And your face is rather pale.”
“Is it?” I wondered as I reached up and brushed a few fingers across my cheek. I gasped and jerked my hand back.
“What is it?” His question was sharp.
I stared bewildered at my fingers. “M-my cheek feels like ice.”
“Niveus!” Cassian shouted.
The horse flipped its head and broke into a sprint. We vaulted over huge logs and stones, and I clutched onto the horn even as Cassian looped an arm around my midsection.
