I blink. He didn’t say my first name. And for some maddening reason, I wish he had.
I’m annoyed with both myself and him, so naturally, I take it out on the latter. “Why didn’t you take my band? And why not try to take it now that I’m healed?”
Amusement tilts up the corner of his mouth as he pushes off the tree branch and strides towards me. “That’s another loaded question.” That right dimple deepens. “First of all, you’re not completely healed. Second, why would I pass up the opportunity to work together? You know we make a great team. And third,” he crouches down in front of me so we are eye to eye as he continues, “it’s cute that you said I could try to take your band from you.”
Now both dimples are taunting me.
“Well, if you’re so confident, go ahead and try.” My face is close to his, my voice full of challenge. “I’m sure you remember how our last fight ended.”
“You’re still injured, remember?”
“And you don’t look much better,” I say, frowning at his wrapped shoulder, though no blood dots the white fabric.
“Concerned for your new partner?” A wicked grin spreads across his face as his eyes flick between mine. He’s close. Too close. He smells of pine and rain and sweat and, Plagues, I need to distract myself.
I tear my gaze away from his and pull on my bow and quiver as I stand to my feet. Struggle to my feet is more like it. Kai stands with me, bracing one hand on my shoulder and the other on my uninjured side. I move to take a step away, annoyed that he thinks I need his help. But my legs feel like jelly, like stone, all at once, proving that I do need his help when I stumble into his solid frame. His chest shakes with rough laughter which only annoys me further.
“Yeah, I don’t think I would have much trouble trying to get this band from you.” He traces a finger across the leather strap, brushing my skin as he does so.
I catch his wrist and look up at him. “Well, if we are going to be partners, you won’t need to hurt yourself by trying to take my band at all.”
He looks me up and down, brows slightly raised. “So, you agree, then? Partners?”
I contemplate it, considering how I would much rather be fighting alongside the future Enforcer than against him.
I narrow my eyes at him. “How do I know I can trust you?”
He scoffs. “Did me saving your life mean nothing to you?”
“And I’ve saved yours. That doesn’t mean you trust me.”
“And how do you know I don’t?”
We stare at each other.
Plagues, what am I getting myself into?
Maybe it’s because I’m too weak to fight him, or worse, maybe it’s the part of me that doesn’t want him to leave that makes me say, “Fine. Partners.”
I glance from his injured shoulder to the tall stump behind him before placing my palms on his chest, his skin hot beneath mine. I push him back until his legs collide with the stump before pushing his shoulders down until he’s sitting before me.
Mischief dances in those smoky eyes of his as he looks up at me. “What are you doing, Gray?”
“Fixing up my partner,” I say simply, beginning to unwrap his makeshift bandage. I smile before adding, “You won’t be of any use to me if you’re injured.”
“Your concern for my wellbeing is truly heartwarming,” he says dryly.
I ignore him and pull at the stubborn cloth that’s sticking to the skin beneath. I swear under my breath when I finally glimpse the patch of burned, blistered skin beneath his collarbone. It’s inflamed and sticky and I didn’t need to observe the tight set of his jaw to know that it’s extremely painful.
I look at him, finding his eyes already trained on me so intensely that I swallow before asking, “Where is the healing salve?”
His expression is blank. “Gone.”
I try to blink away my confusion to no avail. “You used all of it on me?”
“Without hesitation.” Cool, calm, collected. That’s Kai.
“Well, that was...” I sputter, trying to find the right word.
“Selfless?”
“Stupid,” I finish instead.
I heave a sigh before muttering, “You’re always making things more difficult for me, aren’t you?”
I spin on my heel and walk to the edge of the creek. I can feel Kai’s eyes on me as I kneel, looking for specific plants to make my own makeshift salve with. It won’t miraculously heal him like the Healer’s salve would have, but it will help significantly with pain and inflammation.
Thankfully, most of the plants I need tend to grow near water, so I’m able to find them easily. I grab some more cooked rabbit to nibble on as I search for my ingredients. After a good while of walking up and down the creek while being feasted on by mosquitoes, I finally grind the leaves and stalks I’ve found with a rock. Adding water to the crushed plants, I’m left with a green, thick paste.
I turn to find Kai still watching me when I walk back to him nearly half an hour later. I stand over him, ignoring the feel of his eyes on me as I hold the rock with the salve atop it and take in his wound once again.
“You are full of all sorts of surprises.” He nods at the green goop now on my fingers. “Talented little thing, aren’t you?”
I dab the salve onto his wound, and he hisses when it stings. “Daughter of a Healer, remember?”
“It’s getting hard to keep track of your many skills.” Another grunt of pain before he adds, annoyed, “Plagues, Paedyn, what the hell is this stuff?”
A snort escapes me. “Who knew the future Enforcer was such a baby?”
I lather more salve onto his skin, and he grits his teeth. “And who knew the girl from the slums was capable of torture.”
“Oh, please. Don’t be so dramatic.”
“You know, I’m not entirely convinced that you’re not trying to kill me.”
I quirk an eyebrow at him. “So, you don’t trust me after all?”
“I don’t trust that,” he says, throwing a skeptical glance at the green paste I’m rubbing onto his wound.
I laugh loudly, shaking my head at him.
He suddenly goes still at my touch, his eyes dancing between mine with a small smile pulling at his lips.
I clear my throat. “So.” I’m grasping for anything to say before finally deciding to let him do the talking. “You heard about my home so tell me about yours. What was it like growing up in the palace?”
He watches me, his expression blank. “Living in a castle is not as appealing as it may seem. It can be cold, crowded. Not to mention that you’re constantly watched by prying eyes.” His lips twitch into the hint of a smile. “But Kitt and I, we made it a home. Plagues, we ruled the place. We made—” He hisses through his teeth, cutting off his words. “Shit, Paedyn, now I’m convinced you’re trying to kill me.”
“Oh, come on,” I laugh, adding more salve to his wound. “It only stings.”
He pokes me in the stomach, carefully avoiding the gash there. “You got to slap me when your wound stung, so I think I’m allowed to complain a little.”