Page 250 of Scarbound

“Why?”

“Because he wanted to stay with you.”

Noeul seemed to think about that. Then his eyes drifted toward the window.

Duri waited.

After a while, Noeul whispered, “I’m thirsty.”

Duri nearly smiled. “There’s water beside you.”

Noeul looked toward the nightstand. A bottle of water stood there with a straw beside it. He reached for it, but his hand trembled badly enough that the bottle slipped against the wood.

Duri moved instinctively. Then stopped. “Can I help?”

Noeul looked at him. At the bottle. Then nodded.

Duri approached slowly, picked it up, and handed it to him.

Noeul drank too quickly.

“Slowly,” Duri murmured.

Noeul ignored him until his stomach turned and he pulled away, coughing. Duri took the bottle when Noeul held it toward him.

“More later.”

Noeul lay back. His eyes closed.

For a moment, Duri thought he’d fallen asleep again.

“Duri.”

“Yes?”

“Why does my body hurt?”

Duri couldn’t answer immediately.

Noeul opened his eyes. When their gazes met, Noeul turned his face away.

“Oh.”

Duri’s throat tightened.

Neither spoke.

A soft knock came sometime later.

Duri looked toward the door. “Come in.”

Kang Yujin entered carrying a tray. She had changed from the elegant clothes she’d worn the night before into loose trousers and a soft cardigan. Her hair was tied back.

She stopped several steps inside. “Good morning, Noeul.”

Noeul looked at her.

Recognition didn’t come.