Page 55 of Once Upon a Demon's Heart
I huff. “You’re one of those guys, huh?”
He gives me a quizzical look. “A gentleman?”
I laugh. “No, I didn’t even think that word was in your vocabulary. You’re one of the people who do things out of guilt to try and make up for something.”
Kalel glowers as I lower myself into the tub and let out a sigh. The water quickly turns metallic gold. His eyes soften just as fast.
“So what if I am? I’m not some heartless fiend.” He grabs one of the apothecary bottles from the side table and pours the liquid into the water.
I smile at the humor in his tone and the uneasy way his eyes lift to mine a few times before dipping his hand into the water and gently rubbing his thumb over the wound on my shoulder. I wince at the dull pain, though it’s nothing like it was a few minutes ago.
“This concoction should heal you enough to relieve the pain.” Kalel slumps against the steps and rests his head on his forearm as he lets his hand rest in the water.
“So, youcanmake more than just soup, Apothecary?” I tease, and it’s worth the amused look he throws my way.
“I told you that I make medicine.”
We look at each other for a few moments. It’s a rare moment that we aren’t glaring at each other. Our eyes are only filled with curiosity for one another.
“Why did you become a knight, Kalel? Clearly you are suited for your potions.” He doesn’t emotionally pull away like I was afraid he would; instead, he blinks slowly and rubs the back of his head.
“My life took a different path. I still get to have my potions, and I wouldn’t change my decision. Not for anything,” he says softly. “What about you? Tell me what you wanted to be. Surely it wasn’t a knight.” He sounds so sure, a nostalgic grin tugs at the corner of his lips.
I smile and think of my past.
“I wanted to be a dressmaker. I would change my decision if I could.” I move to the center of the bath so I can see him clearly. “I would go back and make sure I chased that dream until I had it. Until I was dancing at balls and wearing the finest dresses known in Faultore. Of course, we don’t have many balls in Alzhor anymore, but I would’ve left and run to the mortal kingdoms if I had to.”
His expression is solemn. “Why didn’t you?”
My smile fades. “Orphans in Faultore are assigned roles. I was placed in the knights’ faction, and the rest is history. I was silly to dream of a role that didn’t exist in my kingdom.” I lift a shoulder and drop it nonchalantly.
Kalel dips a finger into the gilded water and pops it in his mouth. “I’d like to see you in those dresses you once dreamed of.” His gaze burns into me.
I wasn’t expecting him to say that. My heart stutters, and I have to clear my throat before changing the subject. “Were you really in the Florum Forest that day just to collect mushrooms?” I ask, bringing the gentle air between us to a mild chill.
His jaw flexes. “No.”
“You were scoping out the kingdom, weren’t you?”
Kalel nods. “That, but I was visiting that place because I played there often as a child. Even I was foolish and too hopeful, once upon a time…” he says with a mundane voice like the memory is tainted.
I sink lower into the water until my chin is touching the surface. “Why were you so far from home?” It makes me think of the demon I found there when I was eight.
He did have some similar features to Kalel, but he died. I watched him die.
Kalel smiles. It’s a sad one, tugging wearily with longing. Regretful in the fluid curve of his lips.
“I was scouting with my uncles. It was the same year that the war started. Mere months before everything collapsed and the trade routes were shut down. We were on the hunt for the wild Griffon’s flower. It was said only to be found in Florum Forest, and my Uncle Dakre needed it for his potion. He was teaching me everything I needed to know regarding becoming an apothecary like him. We knew it would be a dangerous trek through the forest that night. We went further than we normally did and somehow, I got separated from them.”
Kalel stares into the water as he twirls his finger around my floating hair.
That’s strange… I remember finding the demon curled up and crying against a tree. He was lost and needed help. He was cold. I will never forget the way he looked up at me when I set my coat over his shoulders. Those big amber eyes were scared of me.
Amber eyes.
My gaze shifts up to Kalel’s. He watches me with deep sorrow, eyes like fire. My attention is brought back to the scar on his cheek. The boy from the vision Mercury sent looked a little similar, but it was too hard to tell with all the blood.
No.I saw the boy die.
