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She can practice all she likes, but I have no intention of letting her get anywhere near Ravis or his army.
“Where are we going?” I ask.
“To find you some breakfast,” he says.
“Oh.”
“You sound surprised.”
“I’m not used to someone else taking care of me or thinking about what I might need.” I clamp my eyes shut and immediatelybacktrack. “Not that Temra doesn’t think about me. I meant someone else, other than my sister.”
“Don’t get used to it,” he says. “I owe you one for saving me from Ravis, but after this we’re even.”
I laugh, feeling some of the tension in me leave. “Finding me breakfast isn’t quite the same as me getting you out of a highly defended castle.”
“All right. You get two breakfasts; now stop being greedy.”
Kellyn pushes through wide double doors, and I smell fresh bread and melting butter. My mouth begins to water.
“I sniffed out the kitchen the second I awoke,” Kellyn says. “The cook loves us, so we can have free rein of this place whenever we want.”
A thin woman with her hair in braids on top of her head pulls a pan from the oven. She’s young, maybe mid-twenties, and she’s quite pretty.
Kellyn walks us right up to her. “Paulia, hello again!”
“Kellyn!” she says. Ignoring me, she throws her arms around him, and Kellyn lets go of my hand to return the gesture.
I feel myself frowning, my appetite leaving.
She asks after Kellyn’s arm, and he shows it to her. Though if Kellyn woke last night, how long ago could it have been since she last saw him? And why are they so chummy already?
Kellyn asks how her morning was, and they chat among themselves as though there’s no one else in the room. Normally, I adore being left out of conversations, because coming up with something to say is always a chore. But not now. Right now, I feel like blurting out anything just to keep this Paulia from looking at him. From touching him.
“I have someone I know you’re wanting to meet,” Kellyn says at last. He seems startled for a moment when he sees my expression, but he presses on. “This is Ziva.”
Paulia’s whole face lights up. She lets go of Kellyn’s shoulder and rushes at me. Her head only comes up to my chest, so the hug is a bit awkward, but she pulls away as though it was some gift. “I can’t thank you enough. You have given me my whole world back. You come by here anytime you want, and I will make you whatever you wish. What will you have this morning?”
I’m overcome by her generosity and sincerity, yet still battling the jealousy that’s trying to take over.
I look to Kellyn for help.
“Paulia is with Serutha,” he explains. “They’re engaged.”
“Oh… oh!” I say, turning back to the warm woman before me. I saved Serutha from Ravis. That’s why she’s grateful. It takes my mind far too long to process all of this. “It was nothing. I’m happy she’s back and grateful she healed my sister and my—and Kellyn.”
Kellyn looks like he might be fighting a grin at my stumble.
“I still owe you everything all the same, so what will you have this morning?” Paulia asks.
“Is that bread I smell?” I ask.
She presents the pan that just came out of the oven. “Rolls. Will you have some?” She sets before me a plate and silverware, a slab of butter, and a pot of honey.
Now I like her even more.
Paulia fills the kitchen with a steady stream of chatter, and I love only having to nod or answer questions occasionally. She has a natural way of putting people at ease. Kellyn helps himself to a roll, butters it, and drizzles honey on top. I watch as he takes a bite, swipes at a stray drop of honey on his lip with his tongue. My mouth starts to water again.
When he catches me staring, I look at the floor, mortified.
