“I—” Kade looked around wildly. He was panicking, he didn’t know what to do. He hissed, “Talk quickly.”
Relief was plain on Porthos’ face. “I have Hokda’s permission. I swear it. Don’t look at me like that. I do. How elsewould I have gotten in here?” He pulled Kade closer and lowered his voice. “It was supposed to be a secret, no one else was supposed to find out until it was announcedofficially.”
“What?”
“You can’t tell anyone.”
“Tell anyone what?”
It came out in a rush. “I’ve been appointed the next palace healer.”
Kade’s jaw dropped.
“It’s still years away, but after you and the other apprentices complete your training and leave the palace, I’ll stay here. I’ll stay under Hokda and train until he thinks I’m ready.” Porthos licked his lips. “Crazy, right? We’ve always been close, my cousin and I, so it makes sense. Who better to look after you than family? And the main responsibility of the palace healer is tending to the king. I-I need to know everything, memorize Fyar’s entire medical history down to the smallest detail. So Hokda’s been letting me in here when no one else is around so I can start.”
Kade gaped at him.
Porthos grimaced, struggling to stay calm the longer the silence stretched. “Say something.”
“Congratulations?” Kade squeaked.
“Would you be serious?”
“I am! What am I supposed to say here?”
“Say you won’t tell anyone! Hokda would lose his mind if he found out. I could lose my position and be expelled. I—” Porthos inhaled sharply. “I know it’s a lot to ask, but please,pleasetrust me. I have permission.”
Still confused and out of sorts, Kade looked into Porthos’eyes, searching for unspoken answers. They were steady and unwavering. He didn’t see any outward signs of deception.
Kade had no reasonnotto trust Porthos. They were friends. Porthos had stood up for him when everyone else had turned on him. Hisfriendwas asking for his trust.
“He won’t hear about it from me.”
“Gratitude.” Porthos’ smile was a bit shaky, as were his hands when he gripped Kade’s forearms. “You’re a good friend, Kade.”
“I didn’t know you and the king were so close. You never speak of him.”
Porthos shrugged. “I don’t want anyone to give me special treatment. Plus, Fyar wouldn’t really like it if I were to spread his business around the palace. Court gossip, and all.”
“Right. I should go,” Kade said, stepping away. “Hokda’s waiting for me. I’ll see you later.”
Then, Kade turned and left, closing the door behind him, shutting Porthos back in with Fyar’s records. He wondered if he’d made the right decision.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
“YOU’RE STARING,” SAID Kade, not even looking up.
Killian was leaning in the doorway to the lesson room. He had a perfect view of Kade from the back. Despite the color, the apprentice robes fit Kade well, the way that they stretched over his broad shoulders and sinfully hugged his tapered waist.
It was lucky for Killian that Kade had the apprentice station closest to the door, though the younger elf often complained about it. He liked watching Kade work, and would sometimes pop in for a few minutes while on patrol to check in. Treat himself to the view.
Kade hated it, said it was embarrassing. That the others already gave him shit for having such an overbearing older brother without this added element. His entire face flamed adorably every time he saw Killian lingering in the doorway, but there was always a secret smile on his face.
Hokda hated it too, for different reasons, but Killian didn’t give a shit about that.
There were still times that Killian began to doubt that Kade was really there and not still back in Turell, like all these months had been a dream or a trick of the mind. In those moments, he was compelled to make the trek across the palacefilled with a burning need to see Kade with his own eyes. He couldn’t relax any other way.
“So?”
