Killian turned slowly to look at Kade. He didn’t understand.
Kade smiled and nodded like he knew what Killian was thinking. He went back to tracing patterns in the water.
Killian closed his eyes. He didn’t deserve this, after all he’d done to fuck up Kade’s life. He didn’t deserve this, but selfishly, he would cling to it.
Refusing to let it go, ever.
Killian and Kade didn’t watch the first sunrise of the new year together. Perhaps it was petty on Killian’s side, but he forewent that familial tradition. This one night, he could let himself pretend. Instead, he spent the night and early morning sipping spirits and lounging out on Fyar’s private balcony overlooking the labyrinth and distant forest; Fyar and Hokda at his side.
Loran hissed. “That hurts! Be careful!”
“Stop complaining,” snapped Killian, dragging Loran through the second courtyard. The lieutenant wasn’t even trying to make this easier on either of them. “It’s not even that bad.”
“Not that bad? You stabbed me.”
“Don’t be so dramatic. I didn’tstabyou.”
Loran looked outraged. “What do you call this then?” The white bandage that had been tied around his upper thigh was soaked with crimson blood.
“Your own fault. You should have dodged. If I’d beenactuallytrying to stab you, you’d be in a lot worse shape. Believe me.”
The two younger guards that had been accompanying Loran on a midday patrol were following closely behind their leaders, their heads hanging in shame and defeat.
Good. They needed to do some reflecting. Their performance had been less than acceptable.
There were a few apprentices mulling around the infirmary. Kade and his posse were front and center.
Hokda took one look at the beat up and bloody group and curled his lip. He tilted his head up towards the ceiling. “What have I done to deserve this? Can’t I just get one minute ofpeace?”
“Where do you want him?” Killian asked, ready to drop Loran onto the floor at that point.
“What happened?”
“He sat on my knife.”
“That isnotwhat happened,” Loran protested. “I was attacked!”
Hokda’s eyes narrowed. “Is this a weird sex thing? Because I really don’t want to know what you two get up to in the bedroom.”
Killian waggled his eyebrows.
Hokda looked disgusted. Over the healer’s shoulder, Kade wore a matching expression.
“Galet. Porthos. Handle it quickly.”
The two apprentices showed the injured to private rooms just down the hall. Killian stepped back after leaving Loran in a Galet’s hands.
There was a light tug on Killian’s sleeve. Kade blinked up at him. “Are you hurt?”
“Not a scratch on me.”
“That’s not true,” Loran called loudly from his bed. “I know I landed a hit.”
“You did not.” He had. Just a small cut to Killian’s upper arm. No big deal. It wasn’t even worth healing.
“Come,” said Kade, tugging on Killian’s sleeve again. “Let me take a look.”
Kade led Killian to an empty room and closed the door.
