Page 13 of Stitches
Levi’s hand went to the wrist Ashmedai had rid of stitches. “I-I’m the one who should apologize. It was wrong of me to run. It just felt so tingly and warm and… I-I mean… I feared Master Braxton might be angry. He didn’t even notice. May I ask….”
“Yes?” Ashmedai pushed from the wall, bringing them as close as they had been last night.
“How did you do it? I didn’t know you were a healer.”
“It’s not healing really, just revealing what’s already there, like… something hiding in the shadows.” Ashmedai’s smile stretched to show his sharp teeth. Levi really liked those teeth. “If I could heal, we wouldn’t need Luccite.”
“R-right. Then….” Levi looked at his wrist, his other hand still holding the smooth skin. “This is the real me?”
“Isn’t it?” Ashmedai asked softly.
When Levi looked up, it seemed the king had stepped closer. His white-on-black eyes could have held Levi captive forever.
“There you are! Ah, and Levi too. Just who we were looking for.”
A sharp intake of breath made it easy for Levi to step back without looking too much like he was retreating.
Dreya had spoken, accompanying Yentriss and Grillo with Kenner at their heels.
Levi had never been around so many people beforewithout being hidden in his cloak.
“Did I pronounce that right?” Dreya asked, coming toward Levi boldly, without so much as a stray of her eyes at Levi’s stitches. She wore a tiny hat askew on her head and a dress that looked like it was made of the same leaves as her hair. “Or is it more likelevy?”
“Um… the first way was right,” Levi said meekly. “You were looking for me?”
“And Brax,” Grillo said, “but this will be your first Festival Day, won’t it? We thought you might want to help. Daedlys recommended we ask. I hope the little one wasn’t bothering you.” He lightly gripped one of Kenner’s horns and gave it a tug that toppled the boy against his side, where he hugged him closer. He’d seemed so serious at the council meeting, but he appeared warm and personable now, the complete opposite of his wife.
“Levi made fairies in the flowers!” Kenner exclaimed.
“He was curious,” Levi offered, “not a bother.”
“Can’t deny we’re all curious.” Dreya was suddenly close enough that Levi had to tip backward or risk their noses bumping. It wasn’t his stitches she was getting a better look at, but his violet eyes. “You’ve kept to yourself all these weeks, but what a wonder you are. Some people can be funny about that color, but I think it’s one of the prettiest there is. And new life is always a wonder, as most parents would agree, I’m sure.” She glanced at Grillo and Yentriss, who shared a tender look.
“Levi’s a child like me?” Kenner asked.
“More a newly minted adult,” Ashmedai said.
Levi was glad the king didn’t think of him as a child.
“Are you really only here for Brax and Levi,” Ashmedai continued, focusing on Dreya, “or did you stalk me from the castle?”
She bristled in a way that ruffled her leaves. “It’s hardly stalking when you left a note on the castle doors so I’d know where you’d gone!”
Grillo failed to suppress a snort, while Yentriss’s mouth merely gavea slight twitch.
“I shudder to think what terror you might have wrought if I hadn’t,” Ashmedai said.
It was likely due to his pleasant tone that Dreya knew he was teasing, and she pursed her lips with a budding smile.
“Well then.” Ashmedai turned to Levi. “You’ll help, won’t you? I’m sure Brax will have no objections.”
“Oh, I….” Levi was trapped, both by Ashmedai’s stare and the request of him—more likecommand, for how could Levi possibly say no to the king?
He didn’t want to say no. Not really. And having everyone’s attention on him wasn’t nearly as overwhelming as he’d feared. “I can help,” Levi said finally, looking back at the others with nervous enthusiasm. “What would you have me do?”
“I was hoping you’d assist me,” Grillo said. “As a guide using Brax’s crystals. It can be seen as dangerous to venture too near the barrier, but I hoped you wouldn’t be as afraid as others I’ve asked, since you live so near it. What say you?”
Levi had never feared the wood or the barrier. The view of trees was part of his first memories from when Braxton brought him to life. “I can do that.”
