“Nykander, that’s not?—”
“We have a lot of money, Moe. Alot,” he cuts me off. “I’ll get even more in the future.”
“Not if you have to hurt yourself. You can remove my wages if that is too much. I don’t like seeing you hurt like this, so please.” I take a deep breath. “Please don’t do it anymore.”
His steady, rhythmic breath tells me he’s asleep. He didn’t hear anything of what I said.
I let out a sigh as I sink to the floor next to the bed. My back hits the wall and I lean back in an effort to calm my chaotic emotions.
How is it that one person can elicit so many emotions from me? From comfort to fear to comfort again… But is it reallyjustcomfort? I glance toward his sleeping form and a knot forms in my chest—one that I cannot name or explain. Heiscomfort, but it’s something else, something that makes my heart tighten with a mix of pity, sadness and…
Raising my hand, I press it softly atop his.To check his temperature, of course.
He’s warm but not burning. Instead, I findmyselfburning.
He said we.
“We have money.”
Nothe.We.
I gulp down, more unfamiliar emotions surging forth. I press my hand tighter against his, slowly propping my head against his bed.
We.
It’s just a word, so why does it make my heart clench?
28
Aknock at the door wakes me up. I slowly open my eyes. My wounds hurt, but my physical condition is not too bad—certainly not as bad as the first time I usedZantrax. Struggling to my feet, I go to the door and open it.
“Morning! How are you feeling?” Moe’s cheery voice greets me.
I blink, surprised both at her countenance and her blinding smile.
She… She’s smiling… At me.
Did something happen that I’m not aware of? Just yesterday she didn’t know how to avoid me better—though she did wait up for me for dinner. It’s odd, but entirely welcome.
“Much better,” I answer. “Although I do need a shower since I’m sweaty.”
She nods. “Go wash and come back here. I’ll change your bandages when you return.”
“Uhm… Right, of course. Thanks.”
Since I don’t want her to change her mind, I quickly wash up, making sure I get rid of all the sweat accumulated throughout the night and I smell good for Moe. Goodness, now that I think about it, she was so close to me last night when she was patchingme up. Did I smell? I did exert a lot of effort during the mission, and there was also the stench of blood.
I hope I did not put her off. So I do a double cleanse, making sure I scrub any and all potential dirt from my body. Of course, I can’t help but get some soap on my wounds and that hurts so badly I want to scream.
But I don’t.
Moe would hear, and the last thing I want is for her to hear me howl in pain like a coward.
When I’m done, I put on a pair of clean pants and prepare a fresh shirt to wear after she changes my bandages.
She’s on my bed, waiting for me.
I gulp down—I hope the bed doesn’t smell either. I should have changed the sheets before I allowed her to sit on them…
