Page 20 of Stitches
Hearing or saying the name was always so different from thinking it. “I know. I’ll visit again soon. Good evening, Brax.”
Ashmedai turned to take his leave, and the road back into the city felt lonelier than ever, even with the lights and sounds of the people becoming more vibrant the closer he got to the market steps.
A daydream, Levi had said.
Ashmedai wondered if that’s all it was.
Chapter 3
Levi
Leviwhirledaroundthetower, hurrying to finish his chores so he could meet up with Grillo sooner—and hopefully see Ashmedai again.
He was almost through putting away the dishes and cleaning the kitchen, with tea for Braxton and Levi’s draught both heating up on the stove. The draught was easy enough to prepare, a powder Braxton had created that dissolved in hot water. Levi didn’t even mind the idea of drinking it this morning; he was too excited to go out, to be something—anything—other than only Braxton’s.
Ashmedai had admitted he was closer to Braxton than to anyone else in the entire kingdom, yet Levi was the one he’d walked home and touched with gentle fingers. If Levi wanted, Ashmedai could take away all his stitches, and he’d be whole someday, his own man. The thought both terrified and excited him. He wasn’t sure when or how he would get up the nerve to ask for that, but the memory of Ashmedai’s touch was potent encouragement.
Maybe someday Ashmedai would be as close or closer to Levi than he was to Braxton, which was a terribly jealous, selfishthought, but Levi couldn’t shake it.
“Is there a storm passing through?”
“Hm?” Levi barely paused in his closing of cupboards to answer Braxton.
“You are making quite the ruckus out here. In such a hurry?”
“I’m sorry, Master. I do not want to make Grillo wait on me. I finished all my chores.” Levi spun around, with the final tidying complete. “May I leave now? Do you need anything else of me?”
Studying Levi as he wheeled toward him, Braxton answered slowly, “I suppose not. But are thoughts of Grillo the only reason you’re spinning like a top?”
Levi fought to keep his cheeks from flushing or from averting his eyes too obviously. “I… enjoy being around others too. Like you wanted! As long as it’s not too many.”
Braxton said nothing but continued surveying Levi with an unreadable air.
Levi felt a twinge of guilt for longing to have a closeness with the king that surpassed his master’s. After all, Braxton had only the two of them. “Master? Are you very busy?”
“I am always busy,” Braxton said, despite having left his workshop and making no move to return yet.
“You take breaks though, like now.”
“When someone is being especially noisy, yes.”
Levi dropped his head. “I will be quieter next time. But, if I may say, Master, as important as your work is, you need rest and distraction too. I was talking with Ash about how he hopes to get out more, see others more, have tea with you more.”
“WithAsh, were you?”
“Y-yes.” Levi chose not to comment on the stress of the name. “I wondered… why don’t you go out more and make friends, as you’ve encouraged me?”
Braxton patted the armrests of his chair. “You know it is difficult for me to get around.”
“I could help with that. I could carry you down the market steps. You still can get out more if you want to.”
“Youcan. I have no interest in friends.”
“You’re friends with the king.”
“He is the exception.” Very little space separated them, but Braxton wheeled closer anyway, close enough that one of his wheels brushed Levi’s shin. “He is exceptional. You seem to agree.”
“I-I-I….” Levi tensed, eyes widening.
