But he’s already pushing at my hand and lifting my shirt, and I’m naked underneath. I wrap my other arm over my breasts, to keep the shirt from revealing them. “What are you doing?”
“Checking where you’re wounded. I’m never trusting you again when you say you aren’t hurt. Let me help.”
“I don’t need your help.”
He sighs and reaches for me again.
This time, I don’t move away. I realize I could use the help. He’s a brooding, insulting bastard, but he keeps saving my life. I don’t want to be ungrateful, but I can’t help being mad at him. This is so confusing.
“Is this the bruise from the goblin fight?” he asks, his voice a low rumble as he studies my side.
“Yes.”
“The cut has healed nicely. And this new wound on your arm? How did you get it?”
I shiver from his touch. “The metal birds that attacked us today. A feather cut me.”
His scowl is dark. “Damn, I wasn’t fast enough.”
“You were the fastest person I’ve ever seen fighting,” I admit, “like the kings of old in the tales. How did you know that we were in danger every time, so you could come and save the day?”
“What does it matter?”
“Can’t you just answer me straight for once?” I snap.
He takes the poultice from my palm and starts applying it to the bruise. “I sense when Ardruna or Talton are in danger.”
“Oh. How?”
“I don’t know how that works,” he says, but his voice is tight and I sense he isn’t telling me everything.
His fingers move gently over the bruise and I shiver again. “Roane…”
“Does it hurt when I touch you?”
I shake my head. Lick my lips. It’s the most pleasurable torture, having him touch me. The poultice is cool and his finger pads are warm and rough. They scrape lightly over my skin, trailing goosebumps.
He applies the poultice on the cuts, too, his gaze intent and focused on his task. Eventually, he draws back, wiping his fingers on his pants. “All done.”
“Thanks,” I whisper, my voice cracking a little, and I pull my shirt down to cover myself up.
But he catches the hem before I’m done, keeping it up for a moment longer, his gaze darkening. He swallows, a faint knot moving in his throat.
“Roane.”
“Yes?”
“Let go.”
He lets out a breath of a laugh and lifts both hands, releasing my shirt. “Will that poultice really help heal you?”
“It will. I was raised by a healer. I’ve learned a few things.”
He nods and glances around, his hands clenching at his sides. “Where is Talton?”
“Ardruna went out to look for him. We haven’t seen him all day.”
“Well, then.” Roane goes to kneel by the griffin egg and the pile of clothes left there for me. Those long fingers that were touching me moments ago are now sifting through soft fabrics, belts and brooches. “Have you checked these?”
