It was light work, easy compared to organizing the every day of a palace, and the hours were more than manageable. He was home to Kade before dark. He hadn’t missed a dinner yet, and he didn’t intend to.
But sometimes, when he heard Tommy or Ryland or any of the other men call outCaptain, Killian still expected to see Loran or Dantel when he turned to answer. It was jarring and always took a moment for him to shake himself back into reality.
Killian watched Tommy and Ryland push and shove at each other as their small group made their way towards the nearest tavern which they frequented.
Boys.
With a fond smile and a shake of his head, Killian took off after checking in with the few guards they had that preferred nights around the warehouse.
Then, he started the journey home.
It was the perfect evening for a walk.
Kade was seeing a patient off when he caught sight of Killi walking up the dirt path towards their house.
Killi’s pace was even and sure. His hands swung at his sides and his twin swords were strapped to his back. He still favored an outfit of black fitted fabric, even though his work with the merchant didn’t require a uniform. His hair was loose and freckled with raindrops as the spring rain fell from the sky. He no longer looked like a Royal Guard, but there were still signs that he was and always would be a soldier.
Oh, how he smiled when he saw Kade.
Melting, Kade was helpless to do anything but return it.
”Get home safe,” Kade said to his patient. Distracted. “Make sure to take a warm bath once you get home, stave off a chill.”
”A little rain never killed no one. Us humans aren’t as delicate as that.”
“I just healed you, Sam. I don’t want to be called out to your house in the middle of the night because you didn’t listen to my advice. A warm bath once you get home. Tell your wife it’s my order, I’m sure she’ll agree with me.”
Sam grumbled, extremely put out. “Alright. Alright.” He didn’t bat an eye when Killi came up behind them on the covered porch and slipped his arms around Kade’s waist, pressing a soft kiss to his temple in greeting. “I’ll tell her. You two have a good night now.” He tipped his hat in farewell and stepped out into the rain towards his horse.
Kade felt his cheeks flame. He still wasn’t used to such public displays of affection, but he swallowed it down. Because it wasn’t weird, it wasn’t wrong. It was allowed.Theywere allowed.
They waved to Sam as he cantered away, leaving them once again in their own little bubble.
“You’re later than usual,” said Kade, leaning his head against Killi’s. “Did something happen?”
“No. I just had an errand to run after work.”
Understanding flashed through Kade. “Another letter?”
“Another letter,” Killi confirmed.
“Sit,” said Kade, urging the older elf towards one of the wooden chairs on the porch. He pressed a kiss to the corner of Killi’s mouth. “I’ll be right back.”
Heading inside, Kade puttered around their cottage for amoment.
It was about as big as the farmhouse in Turell had been. A couple of rooms in the back and a wide, open living space. Killi had insisted Kade take one of the rooms and dedicate it to his practice. He’d joked he just didn’t want Kade’s mess spread out around the rest of the house, but Kade knew otherwise.
Killi understood how much Kade enjoyed his work and wanted to continue his healing. Hopefully someday finishing his studies and become a master. He’d been studying human healing in the meantime, trying to catch up on what his patients were used to. It was fascinating to him—wildly impractical—but fascinating.
It was only a couple minutes later that Kade re-emerged, two steaming mugs of cider in his hands.
Killi was where Kade left him, seated on their covered wraparound porch. But there was a distant look in his eye as he stared out across the hills. Kade sometimes found him like that, staring off into the distance where he knew miles and miles and miles away stood the great elven city of Ingara.The royal palace of Netyere.
It had only been a year since Kade had been away from country life and he was quick to settle back into the routine of it.
It was harder for Killi.
Settling in Killi’s lap, Kade pressed close.
