Page 114 of The Hunter

His arms fell, and he was suddenly aware of a great weight pushing down on him, making his limbs heavy. “My pain is not yours to carry.”

She glared at him. “You got those protecting me!”

“And I will wear the scars with pride.”

“You— Ugh. Just shut up and come here.” She jabbed a finger toward the floor beneath one of the spouts.

Telok shook his head. “You do not⁠—”

Lacey hissed at him, her features contorted in anger as she bared her blunt white teeth. She aimed that finger at him. “No more talking!”

Swallowing a chitter, he strode over to her, stopping beneath the spout. She reached up, caught the dangling silk rope, and pulled. Cool water rained upon Telok.

He exhaled harshly, spraying water from his face, as a shiver wracked him. Many of his wounds radiated with sharp stings, the pain pervasive enough that he couldn’t identify a single source. Ducking his head, he raked a hand through his hair, tugging back the loose strands.

She released the cord, stopping the flow of water. Stepping close, she used the now wet cloth to wipe the dirt and blood from his hide and carefully dab around his wounds. Though her touch was gentle, her hands trembled, and there was a worried crease between her eyebrows.

Telok covered one of her hands with his own, stilling it. “I am fine. You need rest, my nyleea.”

Despite all that had happened, that word still felt so sweet upon his tongue.

She shook his hand off. “Stop lying.”

He caught it again and cupped her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. Her eyes were red and wet. Another buzz rattled his chest. “You are safe. That is all I need to be fine.”

“But you’re hurt and bleeding. And it could have been worse, so much worse. Just…let me do this.” She tugged her chin and hand out of his grasp and resumed cleaning his wounds. “Let me take care of you.”

Warmth thrummed along his heartsthread. Though he wanted little more than to slip his fingers into her hair, tilt her head back, and kiss her, Telok lowered his arms, shifting his body only to help her reach where she needed to.

She tugged on the rope once more to rinse away the remaining dirt and the fresh blood that had seeped from his larger wounds. Her blanket was damp and stained with blood by the time she’d finished, though he knew the worst of the stains had likely happened while he’d carried her.

Lacey held out her palm. “Sticky butt silk.”

“Not butt,” he said even as he drew a wad of sticky silk from his spinnerets and placed it on her waiting hand.

“It might as well be.” Her words lacked the bite they normally possessed.

Telok’s mandibles drooped.

Pulling off a small portion of the silk he’d given her, she applied it to one of his larger injuries. She worked quietly, focused on her task, the corners of her mouth slightly downturned as she sealed the wounds one by one. Throughout, her eyes filled with more tears, until finally, one spilled down her pale, freckled cheek.

His hand darted up to catch that tear on a crooked finger and wipe it away. Both his chest and his throat were tight. “You bear a hurt I cannot see.”

“You shouldn’t have to suffer so much,” she said softly. “All these scars… And now you’ll have more because of me.”

“If every bit of my hide must be scarred to keep you from getting even one more, I will welcome it.”

She glared up at him, fire once more sparking in her eyes. “But I don’t want you to do that.”

Telok lowered his face toward hers. “I protect what is mine.” He grasped her chin, making sure their eyes remained locked. “And you are mine, Lacey.”

A shiver stole through her, but she pressed her lips firmly together as she continued glaring at him.

Yanking her chin away, she took a step back and looked away. “I need to wash up.”

Telling himself that he was not hurt by the way she’d withdrawn, he strode toward the shelves. “I will clean you.”

“No.”