Rayea’s lip curled and Kade knew she was a lost cause. The others though, didn’t lookasopposed.
Appetite ruined, Kade turned on his heel and fled the scene, not wanting to hear any more. Before he realized it, Kade found himself staring at the door of Killi’s room. It hadn’t been the first time he’d ended up there, on the outside, wishing morethan anything the door would open and Killi would welcome him in. He’d never entered before, sure he wasn’t allowed.
The room was light and warm, someone—a servant—had come in to light the fire ahead of Killi’s return. It struck again, how different Killi’s room felt from his own. He felt at home in Killi’s room, surrounded by Killi’s scent, his presence lingering even when Kade had spent days there alone. He missed it. He missed Killi.
Kade choked, the sudden strength of his emotion made it hard to swallow. The weeks of stress and exhaustion catching up to him all at once.
Kicking off his shoes, and then stripping the outer layer of the hideous apprentice robes, Kade slid into the comfort of Killi’s bed. He nuzzled into the pillow, where Killi’s scent was strongest, and sighed happily.
Sleep took him quickly after that.
Kade scowled down at his glass jar, watching, waiting. Maybe, if he waited long enough, prayed hard enough, the smooth buttery yellow liquid would solidify into the healing salve it was meant to be.
It had turned into a sort of jelly, not quite solid.
Closing his eyes, Kade cursed softly. The nights of restless sleep were making him sloppy.
Killi had laughed at him when he’d found Kade hidden away in his bed. Then, he’d shoved Kade over and slipped in beside him, his hair still wet from the baths and his skin still fragrant with soap.
Good. Killi shouldn’t have been exiled to the sofa in his own room. Kade had told him that from the beginning, but Killi hadbeen a gracious host. Though his kindness apparently had its limits, and ran out when Kade had his own room and his own bed but still chose to steal Killi’s.
It was the best night’s sleep he’d had in months. He’d slept like a baby.
Much to Kade’s disappointment, Killi couldn’t spend the day with him. The captain’s duties never ended, but they had the morning, and that was something.
Before he’d left, Killi had ruffled Kade’s hair, and told him that he was welcome in his quarters anytime, with or without him present.
That was a dangerous thing to say, because Kade would take advantage, now that he was allowed.
“It’s a rough one,” called Porthos from his work station next to Kade’s, breaking him out of his thoughts. The other apprentice’s own salve was still completely liquid, and slightly green.
Kade nodded. “It’s rare for you to make a mistake.”
“I didn’t make a mistake. It’s just—” Porthos made a vague gesture, then sighed in defeat. “I don’t know what happened.”
Kade smiled.
A few other apprentices still lingered after their lesson, mulling around and going over notes for extra practice. Boen and Hoss were huddled together over Boen’s station, talking quietly. Taiga was in Hokda’s office, braving the healer’s wrath to ask a question.
“Is this what it’s like to be you?” chirped Porthos, already starting to remeasure the ingredients for a new batch of salve. “Having to stay after all the time. Getting yelled at.”
“Yeah,” said Kade miserably. “Fun, isn’t it?”
Porthos snorted. “He’s eased up a bit though, hasn’t he?”
“I guess.” It was true, Hokda had been less Hokda the last few days. “Maybe he’s just in a rut, you know, like something actuallygoodhappened to him and he’s released some of that pent up anger.”
“What good thing would have happened toHokda?”
There was a beat of silence and then both apprentices wrinkled their noses.
Kade mimed gagging. “There’s no way. Not Hokda.”
“You’d be surprised,” interjected Taiga, appearing suddenly. He leaned casually against the supply shelves between Kade and Porthos’ stations. “More elves are into the whole bratty,grrrthing than you’d realize. Makes it more satisfying when you get them to finally bend over and submit. Or so I’ve heard.”
Kade had gone rigid the moment Taiga had popped up.
Was Taiga talking to Kade? He’d never done that before. Not on purpose, at least.
