"You're not tired. You'regiving up. Now open your eyes and look at me."
Ian's lids lifted slowly.
Ruel's face was above him,leaner, cheeks hollowed, blue eyes blazing, compelling.
Tiger burn bright…
"Good. Now open yourmouth."
Broth, hot, meaty.
"No, don't turn your headaway. You're going to eat all of it. You can't fight without strength."
"Pain. Such pain… "
"You can stand the pain.Stay with me."
Ruel didn't realize how greatthe pain was or he wouldn't have asked him to bear it. He must have mutteredthe words because Ruel was answering.
"I do know. God, I'vewatched you… " His hand covered Ian's on the bed. "But I'm not givingyou up to it. You're going to get well and you're going to go home toGlenclaren."
"Glenclaren."Towers, cool hills. "Too... far away."
"But I'm righthere." Ruel's hand tightened on his. "And you can't leave me. I needyou, dammit."
But Ruel never needed anyone."No."
"Idoneed you.Can't you feel it?"
Ruel's eyes were bright,shimmering, his grip desperately tight. Ian wanted to tell him to release him,to let him go back to the light. Yet Ruel never admitted to needing anyone, soit must be true. Not fair to leave Ruel if he was in need. He supposed he'd haveto. come back...
"I'll try, lad," Iansaid weakly. "I'll try... "
"That's all I ask."Ruel's voice was husky, but Ian was aware of the steely undertone, theimplacable will that had pulled him back from the comforting darkness."I'll do the rest, Ian."
All is well. Kedain's Inn.
Relief flowed through Jane asshe folded the note and tore it in small pieces. Li Sung and Kartauk were safe.At least something in the world was going right.
She tossed the pieces of thenote in the wastebasket, then whirled around as Ruel walked out of the bedroom."I've just heard from Li Sung. They've reached Narinth safely."
"Good." Ruelcarefully closed the bedroom door behind him. "Ian's sleeping. Thedoctor's examination this morning nearly drove him insane."
She had heard those cries ofagony from the bedroom and felt as tortured as Ruel looked. "At least he'salive and seems to be getting better every day. I think he's put on a pound ortwo this week."
And as Ian had gained, Ruelhad lost. He had put a cot in the sickroom and scarcely left Ian's side duringthe past three weeks. At least fifteen pounds had slipped away from his leanframe, and yet he didn't appear diminished. Indeed, sometimes when she lookedat him he appeared to cast an incandescent glow. The force of will he hadexpended keeping Ian alive had acted as a flame, burning, sharpening, defininghim. "What did the doctor say?"
"Ian's out ofdanger."
"Thank God."
"That's not what Iansaid." Ruel smiled bitterly. "For once he was singularly lacking inpiety. He may never walk again."
"Oh, no!"
"Something's wrong withhis back," he said jerkily. "He has no feeling in his legs, and hemay not even be able to sit up."
"Perhaps it's onlytemporary. Perhaps the doctor is wrong."
