“Hey.” I smile down on him, but it seems like he can’t focus.
A few seconds later, he’s out again. Fuck.
Not knowing what else to do, I tuck the sheet more comfortably under his head then sit back on my heels. I’ve never had to care for someone before, so nurse-Rory is new territory. In my world, if one has a headache or a fever, healers arrive at your bedside before you even break a bead of sweat.
“What is between you and that man?” François sighs. “I can feel your concern. How did he earn your favor?”
Interesting. He seems bothered.
Standing up, I lean back against the wall, and finally look at my nemesis. “He saved me from…from being raped more than once. I’m indebted to him.”
François is sitting, legs crossed on a sturdy new chair that Danny had somehow got hold of. My words make him freeze.
“Raped? You were attacked?” The words come out in a hiss.
“Yes, but I’m alright, and it’s because of him.”
“That is a debt," François says, like the word is foreign to him.
“Perhaps, but it’s nothing to do with you,” I sneer. “It’s mine to repay.”
His face hardens and eyes narrow. “I wasn’t aware Drakewards paid attention to what they owe. I wonder what you offer up as remuneration." His jaw is tight and a pulse throbs at his temple.
Did he just hint what I thought he hinted? Asshole.
“What I giveanyoneis none of your concern.” I scowl at him, letting him see my contempt.
François gives a huff, which almost sounds like frustration. “Why waste your time on him? He’s hardly in a position to remain your sainted savior.”
If my connection with Tally is annoying de Vaux, I’m going to play it up.
“Taliesin is a better man than you’ll ever be," I say, pushing myself toward the bars, meeting his gaze. “He’s thoroughly good and uses his power to protect people, not to fulfill his own wants and desires. I don’t expect you to understand that.” I raise my chin and wait for his comeback.
François also stands. “Good men are weak. If he wasn’t so weak, perhaps he’d still be able to fight for you.”
I can’t stop the laugh that erupts from me, almost hysterical. “Good men are weak? Tell me, François. Do you actually know a single good person? You’ve no idea what you’re talking about. In fact, I pity you. Must suck to have your dad as your ultimate role model. You’ll never know anything real, because everything in your world is tied up with power and money.”
“That’s your world, too,” he snarls, taking a step closer. “A few weeks in purgatory doesn’t wipe that away.”
Oh, this ass just gets funnier and funnier. “François, don’t you understand? We’ve been in hell all our lives. At least here it’s an honest kind of nightmare.” I’m suddenly aware of Taliesin shifting and groaning behind me.
He looks and sounds like he’s in fucking agony.
It’s not natural.
“And why is Tally so fucked up? What did you do to him?”
François takes a beat to move back to his chair and regain his annoying composure. “He is lucky. Most people who take a strike from me wouldn’t wake at all. The fact that he’s breathing is a testament to his… stubbornness.”
The arrogance of this man is off the charts. “I very much doubt that. He’s strong. You got lucky.”
François looks at me. I expect a taunt, or a refusal, but instead, he lets out a soft sigh. “No. That is not true.”
“Whatever.” I flap my hand. “Why don’t you use your newfound powers to get a cup so I can give him some water? And a couple of pillows while you’re at it?”
“Aurora Drakeward as Florence Nightingale. You are always a surprise.”
Surprise. Right.
