The villagers, even Sila, seemed to hold a respect for Kade that Tyr and Pella had never garnered.
“What are you smiling at?” Kade asked as he poured the contents of a bottle onto a clean cloth and then stepped close. He leaned over Killian, wielding the cloth like a weapon.
Killian leaned back in the chair so he could look up at Kade, awe clear in his eyes. The smile still plastered on his face. “You were amazing today.”
Kade flushed, the tips of his pointed ears turning an adorable pink. “It was nothing.” Then, Kade gently pressed the cloth against the swollen, discolored flesh of Killian’s jaw.
Killian winced.
“Hold that there,” Kade said quietly. He popped the top of a lid and worked a greasy salve into the scratches on Killian’s hand.
“You saved Mylla’s life. That’s not nothing.”
“It was just a farming accident. It happens from time to time.” Kade turned away to put the salve back on the table.“I was lucky, that he wasn’t too far gone that hisenfaded. I couldn’t have saved him then. My magic alone wouldn’t be enough.”
Killian frowned. It was so like Kade to try and downplay his efforts. “I don’t know. It’s rare to see healing like that from anyone who hasn’t been formally trained. I think even Hokda’s apprentices may have balked if left on their own.”
“Hokda’s apprentices are the best in the kingdom.” Kade took the cloth from Killian. “They wouldn’t balk.”
“Because you would know. Because you’ve met them all.”
Kade pursed his lips and pushed Killian’s face away from where he’d leaned into Kade’s space. “Whatever.”
“Ow,” Killian complained.
“Don’t be a baby.”
Eyes following Kade while he worked, Killian’s gaze tracedabsentmindedly over Kade’s smooth skin and down his long neck. Strands of vibrant auburn hair fell around his face, glowing in the sunlight that filtered through the open windows. His tunic shifted as his muscles rolled under the fabric, the belt around his waist emphasizing the taper of his body. His trousers fit snug around the swell of his ass…
Killian inhaled sharply when he caught himself staring, too long to be considered polite. He covered it by clearing his throat. “I didn’t know you wanted to be a healer.”
Kade’s movements stuttered, he then tapped the vial in his hands on the table twice before screwing the cork in and putting it away. “It just kind of happened.” The corners of his lips pulled up. “There’s still a lot I don’t know. The previous healer passed before she could teach me everything, but she left me her texts. I look over them when I can. I…enjoy it.”
“It suits you.”
“You think so?” Kade cut a glance at Killian.
“I do. I’ll gladly be your patient any day, Healer Kade.”
“I’d rather you not,” said Kade. He caught Killian’s chin, holding him still. Long, slim fingers dug into Killian’s jaw, maneuvering him side to side so he could inspect the bruising. None to gently either. “Why’d you have to go and get yourself punched, anyway? You’ve been back in Turell for less than two days.”
“Everyone just loves me, I guess. Ow!” Killian cringed away. Kade brought him back with a glare. As soon as the pain had spiked, it was soothed by a warmth that spread under Killian’s skin. Kade’s magic. Sighing, Killian closed his eyes and let the feeling wash over him. “Why are you blaming me? I’m the one that was attacked. Unprovoked.”
“Unprovoked?” Kade gave him a withering glare. “Roi is harmless—”
“Tell that to my face!”
“Harmless. You getting punched was your own fault.” Kade shook his head. Disappointed. “Roi’s helped us a lot over the years, with the farm work and the harvests. I wouldn’t have been able to do it all on my own. He’s just angry about father, and about your pardon. You can’t blame him for that. Whatever their faults, they were friends.”
And suddenly it was there, like another person in the room. A reminder of what Killian had done. Who exactly he had killed. Killian forgot sometimes that Tyr was more than a monster that haunted Killian’s memories; he was Kade’s father. Kade’s blood.
Killian had to ask. “Areyouangry?”
The warmth disappeared, but Kade’s hand lingered, heavy on Killian’s skin. Kade met his eyes, somber and serious.“Not anymore. Not for the reasons you may think.”
Clenching his jaw, Killian bowed his head, his eyes finding the floor to escape Kade’s piercing amber eyes. He heard Kade sigh, and then step away.
Catching Kade’s wrist, Killian forced the words out, even as they felt like acid on his tongue. “I don’t regret it. I’ll never regret protecting you, but I’m sorry for any pain it caused. I’m sorry I never came back.”
