Kade pursed his lips and nodded tersely. “Of course. After all, you weren’t planning on staying long.”
Killian opened his mouth, but Kade was already on his feet and walking away.
Kade had about the same reaction whenever Killian’s departure was brought up. He would shut down and go quiet. It was the same as when he was a child. He would withdraw into his own mind to escape the sounds of Tyr and Pella fighting when Killian couldn’t steal him away to the barn or wasn’t there to comfort him, having stumbled off to Eria’s in need of healing.
The only thing to do was wait Kade out, let him stew and pout until he was ready to come back to himself.
Killian fell back onto the ground, resigning himself to a long, silent ride back to the house. He laid there until Kade threatened to run him over with the wagon if he didn’tmove his ass and help.
“Don’t you dare,” Kade warned, his hands held out in front of him as Killian advanced. “Killi—”
Killian smirked. It had been a long time since he’d had the chance to dunk the younger elf, and he was going to take full advantage. Kade continued shouting even as Killian scooped him up and threw him over his shoulder.
Kade was heavier than expected, all muscle from years of hard labor.
Trying in vain to wiggle out of Killian’s grasp, Kade threw his body around, kicking and beating at Killian’s back. It didn’t help. Killian, stronger and sturdier, barely budged under the attacks. He stomped straight into the stream, his face split in a manic grin.
When the water reached his waist, Killian heaved forward.
Kade hit the water with a resounding smack and a loud curse.
The water was warm, but still cool to touch compared to the dry heat of summer. They had wandered after unloading the cart and brushing out the horses, neither in a rush to head back into the farmhouse and settle for the night. Or for Killian to start packing, marking a real end to his time in Turell.
The trail along the stream that cut through the vineyard was overgrown with green foliage and thick tree trunks. The stream was full and flourishing under the shade, an offshoot from the river that Pella had floated.
As children, the two of them used to spend hours at the stream, cooling off after a long day’s work. It was their sanctuary when avoiding going home. They’d roll up their trousers and strip off their shirts to dunk their heads in the water before shaking off like dogs. More often than not, one of them—both of them—ended up wrestled off their feet and floating down the stream screaming bloody murder.
Still stuck in his head, Kade hadn’t been expecting it when Killian tried to kick his feet from under him and send him spiraling face first into the water.
Unfortunately, Kade had caught himself. His whippedaround to gape at Killian, eyes wide with betrayal before narrowing into playful slits.
It had devolved from there.
Kade came up sputtering and spitting, water spilling from his mouth since he was still shouting when he went under. His clothes were plastered to his body, the light fabric of his tunic going transparent as it clung to the planes of his chest and the long, lean lines of his stomach. “You ass.”
Killian whistled. “Wow. Look at you all grown—” Kade tackled him, cutting him off, and they both went under.
Opposite to Kade, Killian came up cackling. He slopped his hair out of his eyes, the dark strands sticking to his skin.
Kade wrung his hair out, his eyes trailing over Killian’s form. The light tunic he’d borrowed from Kade was surely as see through as the other elf’s. Who decidedly didn’t look impressed. His eyes were trained on theenilvisible through the fabric.
“Sexy, no?” said Killian, puffing his chest and flexing. Unable to resist showing off a bit.
Kade scoffed.
“What?” Killian just shrugged, his lips quirking. He honestly didn’t think theenillooked bad. Loran certainly appreciated them. “They add character. Intrigue.Mystery.”
“You like them because you think they make you look…erotic?”
“Yes.”
“Are you stupid or what?”
“Hey!” Killian protested. “Do you not think they do?”
“That’s besides the point,” Kade said quickly.. “I know what they are and what they represent so how could I—”
“Yes, yes, yes. They’re horrible and no good and the king is evil. Blah blah blah.” Killian waded closer and leaned over Kade’s, bringing their faces just inches apart. He tilted his head and lowered his voice. “Just admit you think they’re cool. I won’t tell anyone. It’ll be our secret.”
