“How so?”
“I would have only seen an enemy and I would have killed it where it lay.” He rubbed against the bandage she’d made. “I never would have rendered aid.”
“Should I be afraid?”
The tenderness evaporated from his eyes. “Yes. You should. I’m a very dangerous thing.”
“And I am not, Caleb. I’m trusting you to keep your word and not hurt me.”
He curled his lip. “That name is atrocious.”
“That name is quite beautiful, like you are. It’s my favorite, in fact.” Sitting back, she wrinkled her nose at him. “Do you have a favorite name?”
“Lilliana.” It came out as a faint whisper that shocked her and by the stunned expression on his face, she could tell he felt the same.
Clearing his throat, he sent his gaze toward his weapon. “May I ask another favor?”
“Of course.”
“Could you hand my sword to me?”
That wasn’t terrifying at all. Had she angered him so greatly? “May I ask why?”
“It needs to be cleaned.”
“Oh.” Lilliana hesitated as she finally realized how much blood coated it. “Was it a great battle?” Or had he slaughtered so many innocents? A tremor of fear and trepidation went through her. Had she assisted someone she shouldn’t have?
He let out an elongated breath. “It was a tremendous battle.”
“How did you survive it?”
Snorting, he gestured at his blood-soaked bandage. “I haven’t yet.”
She dragged the heavy sword to him. “I don’t think your wounds are mortal.”
A slight smile curved his lips. “It’s not mortal wounds I fear, little mouse. It’s immortal ones that will end me.” He took the sword from her hand and used a portion of her bandage to clean the blade.
“Who were you fighting?”
“Not humans. Put your mind at ease. I normally pay no attention to your kind. I have better prey I prefer to slaughter … those that can adequately fight back.”
She wasn’t sure if that comforted her or made it worse. “Are you saying you don’t kill humans?”
He paused in the cleaning to pin her with an intense stare. “I kill anything that gets in my way. And definitely whatever attempts to kill me.”
“Point taken, then. I shall stay out of your way.”
Malphas lowered the sword. “I didn’t mean that as a threat to you.”
“It sounded like a threat.”
“Then I’m sorry. I don’t spend much time talking to others.”
“Ah. I see.”
He frowned at her. “What does that mean?”
“You’re like my father. Too busy barking orders and opinions to be bothered with what others think … or feel.”
