“I—” Kade opened and closed his mouth, frustrated that the words weren’t coming to him. “I’m not stupid, okay? I know things are better now, I do. You say he’s not to blame, and maybe he isn’t, but…I can’t forgive him.”
“Forgive him for what?”
“For everything. For father. For you. For taking you away from me.”
“He didn’t take me away from you, Kade.”
“No? Then why didn’t you ever answer my letters?” Kade’s voice shook. “Why didn’t you ever come back for me?”
“I didn’t—Kade, I couldn’t.”
“Because he took you away. Because he kept you away.”
Neither of them spoke for a long time.
Killian tapped his finger on the wood, once, twice, three times. And then again.
“You can’t stay, can you?” asked Kade, biting his lip.
“No, I can’t. I have responsibilities in Ingara now, isn’t that crazy? I can’t just up and leave my post for too long. My lieutenant would throw a fit.”
Kade’s smile was wobbly. “How long?”
“We have the week.”
Kade’s expression twisted. “I see.”
Moving closer, Killian threw an arm around Kade’s shoulders and pulled him in. Their foreheads knocked together, but Killian kept them there, kept them close. It was the only comfort he could give. No words would help now.
“What happened to your hand?” Kade asked suddenly, catching sight of the scabbed over scratches.
Killian flexed his fingers, he’d forgotten about those. Pella’slast gift to him. “It’s nothing. I’m fine.”
Pushing the stool backwards, Kade stood. “Come on. Let’s go home. I have a salve that can help speed up your healing.”
Killian’s eyebrows crept up his forehead, but he followed Kade up and towards the door, leaving a few coins on the counter that were more than enough to pay for what he’d drunk. “You playing at a healer now?”
Kade flushed and opened his mouth, but he never got to respond. His body lurched as he was shoved to the side.
Killian moved quickly to keep Kade from falling, then pulled the younger elf behind him, putting himself between Kade and this newcomer. Kade twisted his fist into the fabric on Killian’s back, holding onto him as Killian tensed.
In the dim light of the tavern it had taken Killian a moment to recognize who approached them: Roi Finnes. He owned the land to the west of Kade’s. Killian remembered he used to come by the house sometimes, to drink and lounge in front of the fire with Tyr. They had served in the King’s Army together.
Roi wore a scowl, the lines in his face deep and unnatural as was the shade of his skin. Elves weren’t meant to look like Roi did, their slowed aging and innate magic helping to keep their looks fair even as they lived centuries. But not even elves were immune to the damage centuries of drinking hard spirits like water could do on the body.
“How dare you show your face here?” Roi spat, drawing himself to full height to not have to look up at Killian. “Have you no shame?”
Killian cocked his head. “What do I have to be ashamed of?”
Roi bristled. “You spilled your father’s blood and claim you’ve nothing to be ashamed of?”
“He was no innocent.”
“Your pardon was a joke. I should string you up here and now for what you did.That’dbe justice.”
“The crown clearly disagrees, or I wouldn’t be standing here.” Killian raised his chin. “But you can fucking try.”
The hit was heavy against Killian’s jaw. The flare of pain quickly dulled into a sore throbbing radiating through his skull. It wasn’t all that unexpected, Roi was just like Tyr, quick to anger and easy to goad into action.
