“We should work on your shielding more.”
I roll my eyes, though I cannot help but smile. “Clearly.”
He takes my hand in his again. “How does your hand feel?”
My lips tug up in a small smile. “I’m beginning to think you’re just using this as an excuse to hold my hand.”
Kilkenny chuckles. “Maybe I am.”
My smile widens.
“Let’s just see if I did an Alys-worthy job or not.” He reaches for the waterskin on his belt and opens it without releasing me.
I gawk at him in disbelief.“How did you open that with one hand so easily?”
“What can I say? I’m very skilled with my hands.” His eyes meet mine with an air of mischief, and my heart dithers.
I don’t shy away from his onyx gaze, even as it intensifies.A heartbeat later, he pours cool water over my palm and pulls a clean rag from his trouser pocket. As he rubs the cloth over my bloodied skin, the tip of his tongue pokes out from the corner of his lips. His focused face is so endearing that I can’t tear myself away. His silver streaks slip free from the rest of his dark hair and partially cover his eye. I want so much to brush the strands back, but I restrain myself, clenching my free hand.
When he lifts the rag, there’s just smooth, clean skin. No blood, no scar. It’s incredible. Kilkenny gently slides his thumb over my palm and my stomach flutters.
Gods, what other kind of magic does this man have that he affects me so? I’ve never felt this way before. I’m not even sure I want to.
“There,” he says as I’m still trying to pull myself together. “Good as new.” He tilts his head slightly, regarding me. “All good?”
I nod and gently pull my hand from his grasp.
Kilkenny runs his fingers through his dark hair, mussing it up, and I can’t figure out for the life of me how he makes that so captivating. He bends to pick up my dagger and cleans it off with the damp cloth he used on my hand. He dries the blade with two smooth swipes across his trousers, then holds it out to me.I thank him and slide it back into the sheath on my belt before wrapping my arms around my torso as if I’m cold.
He stares off to the left, somewhere through the trees before turning back to me again. I start to ask him what he heard, but he gestures before I can say anything. “Were you and Osheen ever… More than friends?”
“No!” I speak perhaps a little too hastily. “He’s been my best friend for as long as I can remember. Or, well…” I worry at my lower lip and motion, “I don’t know what we are anymore.” Osheen is out hunting with Chiyo. I’m not jealous, but their new friendship draws attention to the fact that the last relationship from my old life is dwindling.
Kilkenny rubs his stubble idly as he observes me for a while. “Did you have a lover back home? Or someone you were interested in?” His curiosity is genuine, but his body is taut.
“Maybe I do,” I say, flicking my braid off my shoulder. I have every intention of walking away with an air of mystery. To leave him guessing. But as I start to strut past him, my boot catches on a tree root. I throw my arms out for balance, the back of my hand connecting with Kilkenny’s face. Then the ground is rushing up toward me for the umpteenth time. Kilkenny’s arms wrap around my middle, tugging me upright.
He saves me from a nasty fall.Again.
My face can’t be any warmer right now. I can’t trust myself to move, so I remain standing there, held upright by Kilkenny’s arms, overly aware that my back is flush against his front. He turns me to face him, his arm still encircling my waist. “How many times do I have to catch you?” he asks, biting his lip over a restrained smirk.
Feigning nonchalance, I shrug. “Youcouldjust let me fall.”
“No, I can’t.” His smile is slow, purposeful. “I’ll gladly catch you a million more times if I have to.”
My traitorous heart flutters. He doesn’t release me, and I don’t object. I melt into his hold, my gaze drawn to his.
And there’s that subtle pull again. I wish I were truly brave enough to explore whatever this is.
“To answer your question…” I start, stepping back from him.
Kilkenny blinks and lets his arms fall, as though he’s only just remembered that we’d been speaking before my clumsy moment.
“… there’s no lover back home. I’m an Undesirable?—”
“Durvla—”
“—and I can’t fathom putting that burden on anyone. Taig and I are a joint liability. Me with my ailment and deafness, Taig with his challenges.”
