“I’m not going through with it,” Valenna said softly, cleaning the oozing gawper tuber bite. “I’m not making him dragon master.”
“Oh, yes, you are,” Evander said with a sharp laugh. “You’re not getting sent home to your maniacal father because of me.”
“And you’re not going to work under a maniacal dragon master because of me.”
He tucked a lock of her dark, wavy hair behind her ear. “I can take care of myself.”
She looked dubious as she stood, patted Hera, and crossed the stall.
Oh, stall. He was in the stable. That’s why Hera was here.
“Where did you get the powder you gave me?” he asked.
“Oh, that.” She rolled her sleeves as she returned with bandages, revealing the long, scabbed scrapes on her arms. “I’ve kept it with me in Largotia, just in case.”
“For a year?”
“Well, what was I supposed to do with it, Evander?” she snapped, kneeling in front of him again. “Throw it away?”
Her tone made him wince. “You could have sold it …”
“If you took it every day like you’re supposed to” —she ripped a strip of bandages from the roll—“then this wouldn’t happen.”
“I know,” he replied quietly.
“Why do you insist on spending the night in here with Hera?” Valenna asked.
Evander spilled his tea. “What?”
“You refused to go into the tavern and up to the room. You said you needed to be with Hera. You were combative.”
“She’s my favorite pet?” He meant it to be a statement, but it came out as a question.
Valenna, tying the bandage over his shoulder, shot him a cutting look. “What’s so special about Hera?”
“Can we talk about it later?” he evaded. “My head is killing me.”
She let it go, but he knew the time was coming when he was going to have to explain himself, and when he did, everything would fall to pieces. She would fall to pieces.
“Alright, alright, enough fussing over me, I’m fine,” he said, catching her hands in his and tipping up her chin with his finger. She had a cut over her lovely, curved eyebrow, crusty with dried blood, and bruising on her jaw. “Be honest with me. Are you alright?”
“Of course, why shouldn’t I be?” she said, but she wouldn’t meet his eyes.
He took the rag from her and dipped a clean corner in the water. “Because Haldir threatened you … and me. It was frightening, and you are allowed to be frightened.”
“He’s not the worst I’ve met.”
“I know. Still …”
She drew in a long breath, then released it slowly. “I’m a little shaken.”
“Would you rather I not touch you?” he asked.
“No. I would like to be held, I think.”
He cleaned the blood from her brow, then cradled her face in his hands. “I’m so sorry. About all of this. I’m sorry I keep pushing you away. I’m sorry I can’t explain.”
He wanted to tell her everything, but how could he? Here she was, so anxious over him, so full of love. When she found out thetruth, it would ruin her. Better that she always believed he simply lost his balance and fell from his dragon.
