"Fine," I whispered back. "The lead actor we had in Aenir was better, is all."
He chuckled and turned away.
I fidgeted through the remainder of the show, mind racing. I knew the Ballad of Burgundy Rose by heart. It had been one of Father's favorites: a classic tale of adventure and romance. Reese's foot started tapping impatiently, and his gaze shifted toward Brighid's back.
When the curtains fell, his glare intensified. "That was something we needed to see?"
"You caught me." Brighid showed him her palms. "It was a ruse to get you to take a break and breathe."
"You could have just said so."
"You wouldn't have listened." Brighid pressed her hands to her thighs. "The bard insisted upon it. He was obsessed with the idea of performing for Paragons. What choice did I have? He covered my travel fare."
Bláth snorted. "Ah. So you're not supposed to be away from home."
"Of course not." Brighid flicked her hand dismissively.
Reese stood. "Are we finished here? Mare is injured, and I?—”
"Yes, yes, go tend to your woman.” Brighid hid a smile behind her hand. "Oh, having a cute little squire suits you, Reese."
I cleared my throat. "I prefer beautiful. Elegant."
"Why not all three?" Reese knelt beside me, wrapped an arm around my back and under my knees, and picked me up.
Surprised, I gasped and looped my arms around his neck. "Where are you taking me?"
"There's a hole in your side, in case you forgot. I arranged a tent for you, while Brighid was boring you to death."
"She wasnotboring me."
"Mhm.” Reese ducked through a tent flap and set me down gently on the bedroll. "I commandeered one of their cook pots to make some more painkillers. Wait here."
"You're awfully good at this," I said. "Do all Paragons learn to be doctors?"
"I have a storied past.” He brushed aside the tent flap. "Doctoring was one small chapter."
Before I could ask more, he vanished outside.
Content to be lazy, I lay back on the thin pillow and closed my eyes. My abdomen sang in agony. Moving made it hurt more. Thinking about the otherworldly play made my head throb.
A glorious scent drifted across my nose, and I lifted my lids, wondering if I'd dozed off. Reese stepped back into the tent, carrying a pouch of vials and a bowl.
Kneeling beside me, he dropped the warm bowl into my hands. I perked up, caressed by the familiar scent.
Garlic trout and honeyed parsnips—Father's specialty.
"Where did you get this?" I asked.
"I made it,” he answered, measuring out some of the medicine into a cup.
The man could cook, too? Was there anything hecouldn'tdo?
"I didn't realize you liked Aenir cuisine," I said.
"I don’t. You people smother everything in garlic or honey. Sometimes both.”
"As well we should!" I wrinkled my nose. "Why did you make it, then?"
