Page 84 of Song of the Heart Scale
A crooked smile tugged at the edge of his lips. “That’s the only reason you keep me around, huh?”
“One of several.” I tossed the bloodied cloth aside and grabbed a fresh one. “Though your current audition for Worst Patient Ever isn’t doing you any favors.”
We worked in silence for a while, save for his occasional hiss when I touched a particularly tender spot. Once satisfied I’d cleaned and bandaged what I could, I helped him lay back against the pillows. He let out a breath like a man trying his damnedest not to fall apart.
I curled up beside him, careful not to jostle his wounds. I didn’t touch him—not yet. But I stayed close. After a few moments, I felt his fingers search for mine.
When they found them, I laced ours together.
“You scared the hell out of me,” I whispered.
“I told you I’d be fine.”
“Liar.”
He slightly turned his head toward me, his gaze half-lidded but burning with the same intensity I was drawn to when we first met. “I couldn’t let them take my uncle. He’s the only family I’ve got.”
I swallowed hard. “You have me.”
He squeezed my hand. After a moment, he said, “We met with Lord Rolen, Lady Mirena, and Lord Vauren before the ambush.”
I looked over at him, surprised. “And?”
“They’re in. They want Thorne gone.”
“Just like that?”
“It wasn’t easy. They don’t trust me.” His voice was low, like the memory still tasted bitter in his mouth. “But they trust Uncle Bai. And they fear what Thorne is becoming more than they fear me.”
“That’s progress,” I said.
He exhaled through his nose. “I’m also going to speak to Lord Mercer. If there’s anyone who can sway the shadows, it’s him.”
“Lord Mercer?” I frowned. “Where have I heard that name?”
Damien smirked. “He’s the commander of the Nightwing army and also… Lord Zacharia is trying to marry Lord Mercer’s daughter to Jacob.”
I snapped my fingers. “That’s where I heard it! Maeve mentioned him.”
Damien stiffly nodded.
I hummed. “I guess that brings us to step two.”
Damien arched a brow. “Which is?”
“Should I talk to Jacob?”
He blinked at me. “Your sort-of brother? The one who still thinks you’re Arya?”
I nodded. “Yeah. Him.”
He frowned. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”
“I won’t tell him anything; I’ll just feel him out. See where his loyalties lie.”
Damien hesitated.
“I won’t risk anything,” I said. “Promise.”
