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"Not the towel. What’s all this stuff doing in the living area?"
"The training equipment is for the recruits. I brought it indoors because of the rain."
Was there no other place in the cavern for the equipment to go? I considered my own stuff was taking up space as well so I thought it would be hypocritical to voice my complaint.
"It’ll be out in the morning."
"I didn’t say anything."
He reached for a pair of pants on the bed. "I could tell by the look on your face."
My eyes drifted from his face to a bluish mark on the side of his back. "Is that a bruise?"
He twisted to have a look. "Must have got it from helping the soldiers practice."
In typical Varus fashion, he gave no warning as he dropped the towel. I promptly turned around and walked out into the living area. The urge to have a peek behind me was strong. I took the steep, unrewarding high road and kept my eyes on the training equipment. "I helped out in the infirmary today."
Varus’s voice carried from the bedroom. "I’m sure Maagda appreciated it."
"She did. We treated two soldiers for a sprained wrist and dislocated shoulder."
"The training is rigorous but useful. Isath’s forces have done and will do much worse if we’re not prepared. You can turn around now. I'm just putting on a shirt."
I watched him put it on. "It’s really happening. We’re going to launch an attack."
"Weare not doing anything. I’m launching an attack. You are going to stay here and be well out of danger."
I retraced my steps into the bedroom. "We’re bonded when you want to kiss me but not when it comes to helping you take down a dictator. I see how it is."
He frowned. "Don’t twist my words. We share this bond. I’m going to keep you alive no matter what."
"We share something else, too. We’re both soldiers trained to fight and survive."
"You are not accustomed to this world or an enemy who can fly."
There were times I very much disliked his plain logic. "As a woman in a male-dominated field, I’m used to people underestimating me."
"I’m not underestimating you." He got close to my face and stroked my chin. "I'm protecting you."
I brushed his hand away, feeling the residual warmth of his touch. "And I'm working on getting you the last dose of serum. It won’t do you any good if we’re miles apart. I hate to sound negative, but we don’t have much time."
His frown deepened and somberness replaced his jovial attitude. "I know. "
"Then let me finish my job and help. You see I can learn to handle myself, and so what if I can’t fly? You still need me close by to monitor your health if you want to be in shipshape to go to war."
"Remind me to never let you set one foot inside my council when I reestablish it. You would have an argument with a wall and convince it to crumble."
"Does that mean you agree with me?" I gave him a smile.
"Yes." He raised a hand in mock surrender. "I agree you can be close to help with the serum." Then he pointed a finger at me. "Nothing more, though, including combat. Is that clear?"
"Crystal."
"I don’t know what you mean but I assume you agree since you’re no longer pressing me. I'm going to bed."
"Wait." I watched him head towards the furniture in question. "You’re going to bed in that one?"
"There’s no other bed here. I’m already wearing these restrictive clothes." He reclined on his back on the bed. "I refuse to sleep on the floor in my own space after today’s training."
