“I don’t—”
Shuahn’s armful of bangles bounced as she pointed at Kell. “If what I just witnessed was how you treat your friends, I don’t think I’d want to try being your friend these days. But I’ve seen enough. You’ll never make it to the domain, no matter how hard you try.”
“Fine,” Kell said. “Then let them do it alone. I’ll stay here.”
Kell’s face went slack. He winced with pain and swayed—
“Kell!” Lorzok dashed to Kell’s side and grabbed him before hefell against the hot stove. Saeldian dropped the bowl of solid eggs and plain noodles on the table and vaulted over the counter to grab Kell’s face.
“Kell. This is the vowstone. Kell!”
He tried to struggle out of their grip, but Saeldian forced him to look at them. “Listen to me. We’re finishing the job. We’d never dream of not finishing it. We’re going to find a way past this and do the job.”
“Nuu—”
“Shut up. You’re oathbound. This is what happens when you try to break it.”
A cursebreaker could—no. Saeldian wiped that thought away and turned back to Kell. “Now, save your own life and change your mind. We’re going to figure out how to do this no matter what. Say it.”
“Gonna figure this out.” Kell shut his eyes and winced. “Nnngh.”
“Promise.”
“We’re going to return the Kiss,” Kell said, more clearly but still squinting from the pain. “Together.”
That last word was clear. He was safe.
Saeldian let him go and stepped back. “Good. Don’t do that again. Don’t even think it. You’ll want a quiet, dark room and time to rest.”
He touched his head as if he expected it to be tender. “How did you know what was happening?”
“I already went through this.”
“When?”
“When I nearly fainted on the road after we left the Golden Rose.”
Kell’s smile was unkind. “That soon after? Figures.”
“Bound? Hurt? Let me help you!” Quickwit buzzed around Kell’s head. “Just say yes and you’ll be through!”
“Yes,” Kell said, and winced.
Quickwit darted forward and planted a loud, squeaky kiss on Kell’s head. “All better!”
Kell blinked. He looked around like he couldn’t quite believe it. “The pain’s gone. Like it never happened.”
“Good! Good! One more for me!” Quickwit cried. “Your curse is lifted! Now you’re free!”
“I’m what?” Kell asked.
Saeldian’s jaw hurt. Quickwit could break curses, apparently. Kell had probably agreed, thinking Quickwit would cure his headache. Of all the luck!
“Quickwit means he dispelled the binding from the vowstone,” Saeldian said.
“That can’t be,” Kell said. “Hold on. I am going to stay here. I’m not going anywhere.”
When nothing happened, he laughed like spilling a cup of water.
