Page 54 of The Ashborn

“So, the wards…” Connak tried to keep his temper down. “Care to explain why she was there in the first place?”

Tislin closed his eyes, attempting to pull the shadows in. He exhaled. “We owed her something.”

“Her death?”

“Some trust.”

Connak’s jaw clenched. “And?”

“She burned the building. The weapons have been neutralized for now.”

His jaw clenched again, along with a twitch of the eye. “Care to explain⁠—”

“I removed her charm, Commander.” Tislin winced as Connak shifted to his ribs. Connak needed to give the dagger wound time to set in the muscles before he continued. “I scared her until she burned. I put it back on immediately. I swear it.”

Connak remained silent, having nothing to say to soften the blow of his anger. Tislin leaned back to watch the ceiling, and the healing wordlessly continued until a scream sounded from Kienna’s room. Danek must have popped her shoulder back into place. Wails of pain from Kienna’s strained body soon followed.

“It’s okay, Kienna, you’re safe,” Moira’s voice carried.

“I was trapped in there,” Kienna yelled. Her voice turned into a stifled mumble as the bedroom door closed.

Connak shifted back to Tislin. “You do understand that if she died, Tristian and I would have⁠—”

“Yes, Commander,” Tislin grunted through the pain. “I understand more than most.”

“I need a drink.” Connak stood. “Your body will be fine mending itself until I return.”

He left Tislin with the shadows and lights filling the room to keep them in place until Tislin regained his strength. Connak almost went to Kienna’s door next, but he really needed that drink first. He went to the only place he could think of now.

It was time to involve Tristian.

Chapter 22

—Danek—

Danek stepped out of the room while Moira helped Kienna change her clothes. Tislin’s blood covered her. She’d need to bathe as well, but Connak was nowhere to be found, and Danek didn’t want to leave Moira to tend to both Kienna and Tislin while he fetched water. Though Kienna would be fine to go with him, the shadows swarmed in Moira’s bedroom, and Danek would never allow her to be alone.

When Moira opened Kienna’s door to give the all-clear, he couldn’t help but smirk. Moira strapped Kienna’s arm in a makeshift sling with linens. Underneath was the shirt he bought her. So, she did get it. She looked radiant. He’d seen her in nice clothing before, usually in River Storm when King Vaerin made her wear outfits suited for special occasions, but he never saw her wear something special that she wanted, and that was worth the price alone.

“She needs rest,” Moira scolded, pointing her finger at Danek before leaving for the common area to sit. She stared at Tislin’s door, writhing her hands, but she never went in. She curled her legs into herself instead, whispering quietly, as if praying.

Moira had changed the linens, ensuring all the specks of blood were cleaned. He went to her, lending his hand as she crawled onto the mattress. “I can help you get more comfortable,” he offered, lighting his hands.

Kienna shook her head. “It’s okay, Danek. I’m sore, but I can sleep. Please tell me Tislin is okay.”

“Connak said he would make a full recovery. He was awake before Connak left.” Danek should have taken the hint and left her be. She truly did need to relax, but even injured and dirty, she lit up his world. His feet remained planted, body drawn to her light. “I found you something,” he said quickly, remembering he’d scoped out the Dove Port markets again after working on the ship. A small stand sold different trinkets and adornments. Danek’s eye had caught on a set of golden rings with beads that moved across the band. He pulled them from his pocket and handed them to her.

“What are they for?” she asked, feeling the heavy gold in her palms.

“Here,” he said, taking them and placing one on each finger. “Now, when you feel like picking your nails, you can fidget with the beads.” Danek pointed to the one he placed on her middle finger. “This one has a star that spins.”

Kienna smiled and let her fingers fidget with them. “Where did you find these?”

“You should pay attention to the shops. The locals create trinkets of all sorts.”

Her eyes drifted to the corner of her room, staring at the dark shadows flickering behind the candle. Her smile dropped, and she pulled her blanket over her with her good arm. “Stay with me?”

Danek swallowed. Surely, she meant platonically. He wouldn’t be foolish enough to think anything else, but watching Kienna sleep was intimate. He nearly crumbled under the weight of it. Slowly, he untied his boots and swung his feet up, sitting back against the headboard while she rested. He helped her adjust to a better position. Then he sat there, watching her stare at the dark bits of her room. Danek conjured a sparkle of fireflies into the corners.