Page 13 of Powerful

‘Yes, Plagues forbid anyone thought you were actually happy once in a while,’ I mumble teasingly before suddenly deciding on something. ‘I’m determined to make you smile again.’

I watch him dab lightly at the wound, staining the towel he uses with each swipe. My knee bobs anxiously atop the counter, awaiting his response while rattling the now empty canteen beside me. He glances down at the commotion I’m causing, then back at his hands still tending to my own. With every other limb occupied, he simply leans towards me, pressing his body against my bouncing appendage.

The weight of his hip burns through every layer of clothing, every rational thought, every fiber of my frenzied being. My knee stills beneath the pressure heapplies, my heart doing the same at the sheer closeness of him.

He manages to lean in further, murmuring, ‘You’ll have to earn it, honey.’

I’m not sure what’s gotten into me, but it’s suddenly difficult to swallow the lump growing in my throat at the sound of his deep voice. ‘And why is that?’

‘Because I’m hardly deserving of them myself.’

It’s clear that he doesn’t wish to elaborate on his vagueness. We eye each other for a long moment before he begins digging around in a cabinet, pulling an unraveling roll of medical cloth from its depths. Tearing it with the teeth I’ll likely never get to glimpse again, he begins thoroughly wrapping the width of my palm.

‘There,’ he says blandly, stepping back to admire his work. ‘No chance of you bloodying my fabric now.’

‘Might look more realistic that way,’ I offer with a tilt of my head. ‘Have you seen how stained most Imperial uniforms are?’

‘Dammit, Adena,’ he huffs. ‘Maybe mention that before I heroically tend to your wound.’

CHAPTER 5Makoto

Her head bobs dangerously close to the sharp needle slipping from between her fingers.

She startles, swallowing her gasp as she blinks awake. Tired eyes meet mine from where I’m leaning over my work table, sketching a new knife design.

I turn back to my work, unsurprised by anything she does at this point. ‘You’re going to stab yourself again.’

‘I’ve worked through the night before,’ she says defensively, though actively fighting a yawn. ‘I’ll be fine.’

‘This time it’ll be your eye.’ I sigh. ‘Maybe yourthroat. Definitely a couple fingers.’

‘I’m not going to stab anything, Mak.’ She breathes my name and I’m surprised by the affect it has on me from a person so pretty.

I straighten, striding towards her. ‘No, you will not.’ She sputters when I pluck the needle from her fingers. ‘Because I am taking this for the night.’

‘No, there’s so much left to do,’ she argues, gesturing to the assortment of pinned fabric. ‘I’ve barely begun the stitching, and don’t even get me started on how long the paneling will take on the—’

‘You’ve been working for two full days now.’ I cross my arms over my chest. ‘And I’ve heard enough words for today. I can’t imagine how exhausted you must be after speaking them all.’

Her dull look could rival one of the many in my arsenal. ‘Is this you kicking me out for the night?’

I flash her a mocking smile. ‘Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.’

‘Fine.’ She stands, staring up at me sternly. It’s comically endearing. ‘Hopefully some sleep will make you less grumpy for me tomorrow.’

‘Did that work for me last night?’

‘Clearly not, but I won’t lose hope. Yet.’

‘Whatever helps you sleep better tonight,’ I say pleasantly.

She brushes past me, walking swiftly towards the door. Then, without warning, she spins on her heel. ‘I’ll be here, bright and early.’

‘Oh, you certainly were this morning,’ I mutter.

She turns back to the door.

I sigh when her head whips back around.

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