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“You are very skilled too,” I tell Avery. “Not all of us are lucky enough to have magic, but I have no doubt you’re the royal medic for a reason.”
They titter. “Thank you for those kind words.” They grab their bag and stand, side-stepping around Prometheus who is snoring beside the chair. “Your dragon has gotten big.”
“I know! I feel like every time I blink it gets a little bigger.”
“Soon enough, it may not fit in the castle. Don’t forget to put some of the ointment I left with you on the cuts, it’ll prevent scarring.” Avery curtseys and turns to leave.
“Thank you, Avery.” I glare at Orcus and send a scold through the bond.
“Yes, thank you, Avery. Your work is impeccable.”
The centaur pauses and fiddles with the lapel of their white jacket. “Thank you,” they murmur. “Those words mean a lot to me.”
Once they’re gone, I shake my head at Orcus. “You have no idea that you insulted them, do you?”
“What? How?”
“You said Zyla would fix Avery’s work.”
“No, I said Zyla would fix the wounds.”
“But Avery did that already. To them, they fixed the injuries. I know what you meant about healing them with magic, but Avery doesn’t have that and they did a great job.”
“I didn’t mean to insult them.” He frowns after the centaur.
“I know you didn’t.” A yawn cracks my jaw and the cut on my face pulls. I hide a wince so as not to rile Orcus more than he already is. “I’m so tired.”
“That’s our cue to leave,” Harald tells his mother. They slide down the leg of the coffee table. “See ya soon, Princess.”
“Good night.” I yawn again. “I’m so happy you came, Lagertha. Harald missed you.”
Shock washes over the trull’s face again, but she simply nods in acknowledgement before heading off after her son. Orcus scoops me up and eyes the dragon.
“Think it’ll be okay by itself?”
“I don’t think you could wake Prometheus even if you tried.” I grin and rest my head against his chest. “I’m sorry for agreeing to the fight.”
He kicks our door closed and carries me to the bed. “That might’ve been the worst thing I’ve ever had to endure.”
“Really?” I stretch out on the bed and he removes his torn shirt and climbs in beside me, pulling me tight against his body. “What about the fight with the vampires?”
“Doesn’t even compare. I thought I was going to murder everyone in that room for cheering Orlena on.”
“Such drama,” I whisper, rubbing my nose against his.
“I’m calling off the attack.”
I study him. “What changed your mind?”
“You. You were right, I don’t have to be like my father. What he did tonight, intentionally putting you up to fight, was too far. You’re not a toy he can play with, and I’m not a monster he can control. I make my own choices, and I don’t choose war.”
“Wow.” I rub his arm and squeeze the obnoxiously large muscles. “I’m proud of you.”
He kisses my cheek. “We need to teach you how to throw a punch.”
“I kind of sucked, huh?”
“Absolutely terrible,” he murmurs. “You know what I realized tonight?”
