“He’s right, I’m fine,” Killian said quickly, answering thequestion that Kade was on the verge of asking. He stretched his back, moaning as it cracked loudly. “I feel like I’ve been run over by Fyar’s herd of elk.”
“Yes, that’s to be expected,” Kade ground out. He softened. “I’m so sorry, Killi. I didn’t think—I didn’t expect the test would be…that.”
“You couldn’t have known. Hokda’s just fucking crazy.” Killian raised his voice so the healer could hear him from the other room. His answer was a loud bark of laughter. “I’ve been relieved of duty the rest of the day.” Fyar so knew what Hokda had been planning.That fucker. “So I’m going to go sleep this off.”
Killian left Kade there, concern swimming in his eyes, with a touch to his cheek and a smile.
Later, when Killian had long since collapsed on the sofa, limbs sprawled out, his arm over his eyes, he thought he felt the press of soft lips to his cheeks, and then the corner of his mouth, just shy of his lips, delivered with a quiet apology.
Maybe it was just his imagination. A very real dream.
“You’re a real bastard, you know that? What iswrongwith you? You’re as bad as Hokda,” Killian ranted the next day. Absolutely baffled. “A warning, at least, would have been nice.”
Fyar cackled. “Aw. But Hokda was so excited to surprise you. How could I take that from him?”
“I hate you.”
“I love you, too.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
KADE CLASPED HIS hands behind his back to keep from wringing them. This was not the time to be fidgeting.
The intimidating figure of the king loomed over Hokda’s shoulder, making healer look so small for one so powerful. Together they were a storm gathered right there in Killi’s room.
It was hard to breathe.
The king looked around curiously, his eyes bouncing from small trinkets to Killi’s collection of spirits to Kade’s books to the dark archway that led to Killi’s bed. It was as if he’d never been there before.
Kade hoped he hadn’t. The king should have no reason to visit his guard’s room, even if they’refriends.
Kade stood in front of the fireplace, sweating, though not from the heat.
Hokda refused to take more than a step inside. His fists were clenched tight by his sides, and he was glowering at Kade. All but steam coming out of his ears.
Gods, Kade wished Killi was there with him.
Killi had left earlier that morning, back to his regular schedule though Kade was confined to the room until his results were announced.
Even so, when Kade had opened the door, he hadn’t been expecting his unannounced visitors to be the palace healer and the king himself. The purpose of the visit was obvious.
The minutes ticked by in silence, the only sound in the room the crackling fire.
Fyar folded his hands into his sleeves and eyed Hokda expectantly, waiting for him to speak. They wereallwaiting for Hokda to speak.
Panic set in. This was it. It was over. Done. Kade would be packed and out of the palace by sunset.
It had all been for nothing.
“Well,” Fyar prompted, “I don’t have all day.”
Hokda curled his lip and scrunched his nose. He opened and closed his mouth a few times, then snapped his teeth and turned away. “You passed.”
Kade blinked. “What?”
“You. Passed.” Hokda snarled. “I’ll expel you if you make me say it again.”
Shocked, all Kade could do was laugh. “Th-thank you.”
