Page 12

“He could complain.”

“To whom? Killian? Killian knows everything that happens here. He’s the one who assigned me to guard you while you’re in the infirmary. Hell, I reported it to him, and he approved of me kicking a council member out because he was bothering you.” Taylor took a step forward. “If you think I’m going to get in trouble for it, don’t. There’s no need to worry. I’ll be fine, and so will you.”

Twig swallowed and looked down at his hands. “I hope so, because you don’t deserve to be kicked out of the palace because of me.”

“Even if I was kicked out of the palace, it wouldn’t be because of you. It would be because of Ilias. You really need to work on feeling guilty for things you have no say in.”

“You mean like Palmer?”

Taylor chuckled. “Exactly like him. He hates that it took him so long to figure out what the poison was and that you got so bad, but I keep telling him it wasn’t his fault.”

“I agree. It’s only the fault of the person who poisoned me.”

“Exactly. Palmer wasn’t at fault for what happened to you. You aren’t to blame for anything that might happen to me. Nothing will, though. I was just doing my job, and that includes protecting you from unpleasant visitors.”

Twig was startled into a laugh. “Ilias would be pissed if he heard that’s what you called him.”

“Do I look like I care?”

He didn’t, and Twig loved that.

* * * *

TAYLOR WAS GLAD THE treatment was working. He knew his brother was, too, but Palmer was the kind of person who wouldn’t stop until everything was as it should be, which meant he’d worry about Twig until Twig left the infirmary. That was why Taylor wasn’t surprised to find him poring over his notes at his desk, a frown on his face that made Taylor worry for a second, until he remembered the kind of person his brother was.

“There’s no way something’s wrong,” he declared as he leaned his hip against the edge of the desk.

Palmer frowned up at him. “What are you talking about?”

“You don’t look happy, which I thought you would be, since Twig is clearly improving.”

“He is. How do you know?”

“I’m his guard. I was talking to him a little while ago. He was sitting on his bed, looking like he might try to walk.”

Palmer looked alarmed. “Please tell me he didn’t try that on his own.”

“I think it was on his mind, but don’t worry. In fact, he didn’t walk at all because his mother came back.” Taylor frowned. “I know I’m not a parent, but she should really give him more space. I’m pretty sure he feels suffocated by her presence. She barely leaves him alone.”

“Well, she’s worried about her only son. I can’t blame her for that.”

“There’s a difference between worrying about your son and suffocating him, but fine. It’s not my place to say.”

But it might be. Taylor wasn’t blind to the way Twig looked at him. He also wasn’t the kind of person to hide from what he was feeling. Something was simmering between him and Twig, which meant that if that simmering turned into something more, Taylor would have to deal with Twig’s mother. He couldn’t say he was looking forward to it, but at the same time, he felt like Twig needed someone who’d stand up for him. He wasn’t strong enough to do it himself for now, but that wouldn’t last long. Hopefully, once he felt better, his mother would let go of a little control, but something told Taylor it wouldn’t be easy. She was overprotective, and she’d been proven right when her son had been poisoned. She would work overtime to keep him safe now, even if it meant making him unhappy. Taylor had no say in that.

For now.

Taylor didn’t have a plan. He just wanted to spend more time with Twig, and he would, at least until Twig was allowed out of the infirmary. From Palmer’s frown, that would take a little while longer, which was just as well. It gave Taylor the opportunity to get to know him better, and he suspected that was the best thing he could do right now. Neither of them knew what something between them would look like. They hadn’t even talked about whatever was going on. Taylor was pretty sure he’d have to take the lead when it came to that, and that was fine with him. He just didn’t want to rush ahead when they didn’t have to. He also didn’t want to take advantage of Twig’s situation right now. No, it was better for Twig to rest and for them to have the kind of short, nice conversations they could pause if a nurse or Twig’s mother came in.

Twig’s mother would be a problem, no matter what happened. She didn’t like Taylor, and Taylor didn’t like her, even though he understood where she was coming from.

Taylor grinned. He supposed he’d have to find a way to charm her. It would be like charming a snake—one that only struck to protect her children. Taylor understood that. He even respected it.

But Twig deserved to live the life he wanted, with whomever he wanted, and if that was with Taylor, Taylor would make sure it happened.

* * * *

“I BROUGHT YOU FOOD.”