It wasn’t for show. She needed this youngling to live, and he wasn’t her son or close relation. He was a person in her village, and that was all it took for him to be precious to her. It was, in my estimation, a sign of a very good leader. First, that she was here at all, and second, that she valued each life in her village as dearly as if it were her own. It was a little humbling, to be honest. I doubted these people realized what a rare leader they had in Maive, and how unfortunately unusual it was to have one who cared for them this much.
I turned off the device when all of the readings showed normal. Without the bright red light illuminating young Tregen’s torso, the difference in the wound was stark. Maive dabbed up some of the pus that had been expelled with a wet cloth, revealing healthy skin. No more sickly, puffy edges. Instead, it was already knitting together, showing healthy, pink flesh. His coloring was improving as well.
I carefully packed the device back into its foam case, fastened the satchel, then rose to leave. “Well, that’s it. Your healer, Micher, should be able to take it from here.” I held up a finger. “Remember what I said about rest and food.”
“I will.” Her voice was soft, and she rose as well. “Thank you again, Gilrox.”
“Stop thanking me.”
I turned away, feeling oddly embarrassed and off-balance and all sorts of awkwardness that I was not familiar with. And then there was that hand on my arm again. This time by my bicep. The muscle literally twitched under her touch. I turned a little too abruptly and looked at her. She snatched her hand back and blinked, but did not drop her gaze. No, not Maive. She met my eyes with that open confidence that I found so damnably attractive.
“We are holding our Valrim Village Founding Festival in two weeks,” she said. “I’m inviting you to attend.”
I raised my eyebrows at the “invitation” that sounded more like a royal summons. “You wantmeto come to your village festival?” Now I knew the village had a name, and I knew what it was. Yet another little stitch tying me to this far too lovely community.
Her own brows rose. “If I didn’t want you to come, I wouldn’t have invited you.”
Ah, but Ilikedthis woman. I snorted out a chuckle. My first thought was to decline, of course. I had no intention or interest in going to the Valrim Village Founding Festival, no matter how cute the title sounded, but then, Maive’s mouth curved into a smile that pushed her cheeks into lovely rounds and made her green-gold eyes twinkle, and the words, “Sure, I’ll come to your festival,” just fell out of my mouth.
Chapter
Eight
Always bring a gift
I didn’t knowwhat had happened to my judgment. I’d always considered myself a decent decision-maker, especially when faced with a crisis. That had served me well in my previous line of work. But I walked out of that building a broken man. Retirement. Peace. Being left alone. Not bothering anyone and having no one bother me. Nobody needing things from me, asking for things, wanting things. No obligations. Just me and a fishing pole. And now here I was, saying yes to a beautiful woman who’d asked me to a party.
To be clear, I was not experienced in female matters. I’d known my fair share in my younger, randier days, but Maive was no ordinary woman. She was a force of nature. She had this terrifying ability to hijack my senses. I didn’t know how to break free of her spell, and scarier still, I didn’t know if I wanted to.
I walked out into the sunlight, feeling dazed, a little bit deceived, and well aware that the situation I found myself in was entirely my own doing.
“Are you all right?”
I looked up to see Pasek. His face looked like he’d asked about me because he was afraid to ask about his brother, and I understood that. “Your brother’s going to be fine,” I said quickly, mustering up a smile for him. “He responded to the healing device. The infection is gone and the wound is knitting. He’s sleeping now, and I’d advise you leave him alone so his body can do its work. But aside from needing rest, he’s going to heal in no time.”
A choked sound came out of him. He put a hand over his face and seemed to be having a moment. I watched, fascinated. It was very, very different from any behavior I’d ever experienced from a man before. Then again, he was a Runam, and Runams were not typical of anything. But still, his show of emotion moved me. And it made me acutely conscious of my own lack of it. “Are you all right?” I asked. It was my turn now.
“I’m better than all right,” he said, looking up with a huge smile, and then he did something even more alarming than Maive’s touch. He hugged me. Pulled me into an embrace and squeezed.
Now, this was more than I could handle. “All right there, all right.” I gently dislodged him. “I said he’s going to be fine.”
He shook his head and wiped away a tear. “I didn’t want Maive to contact you. I didn’t think it was a good idea. But I was wrong. Couldn’t have been more wrong.”
I winced. “No, your instincts were right. It’s wise not to trust a former mercenary with the life of one’s brother.”
Pasek shook his head. “You are no mercenary. You’re a good person. Sent from the stars.”
Now that was enough for me. “Okay, well, I’m heading home. Good luck to you and your brother.”
Pasek wasn’t having it. “I will walk you back.”
“That’s not necessary,” I replied. “I know the way.”
“I’d consider it an honor.” He pressed his fist to his chest and nodded solemnly. “My brother lives because of you. I do not take that lightly.”
I sighed, knowing at this point it was a lost cause. “Fine. Have it your way.” I hitched the satchel higher on my shoulder and started off at a healthy clip, hoping I would lose him. But Pasek was a strong walker.
“What was it like?” he asked, keeping pace.
