Page 43 of The Elven Healer's Apprentice

“Only if you do the same for yourself.” As warm as he felt to my chilled face, I suspected he would begin suffering from the cold soon, too.

“Just give me the bag, woman,” he growled.

I handed it over.

Moments later, a heavy cloak settled around my shoulders. “Pull it close in front of you,” Merlon ordered. “I can’t reach, and you will eviscerate me if I dare use magic.”

I snorted a laugh at the image that presented to my exhausted mind. “Hardly.”

“You sure about that?” His normal gruff tone rumbled against my cheek as I leaned into him, relaxing against the back of his shoulder.

I snorted softly. “We both know you hold more power in one finger than I can summon on my best day.” The familiar tingle of his latent magic caressed my face. The sensations of his magicwas more pleasant than uncomfortable these days, I nuzzled the woolen overtunic covering his back.

“You forget that I am almost depleted of magic at the moment,” he said.

“Still more,” I responded. He smelled so good—warm, welcoming, safe. I couldn’t remember him ever not feeling safe, even when at his most irritable and annoyed. Strange how someone so prickly could evoke such a sense of protection and peace.

“Adela?”

“Hmm?” I liked the way his voice rumbled and grumbled.

“Are you happy at the compound?”

That caught my attention. I straightened, putting space between the two of us.

His long, capable fingers tightened around my hand where it pressed against his middle, maintaining the necessary contact.

“Did I say something wrong?” he asked.

“No…” An evening breeze whirled about us, sneaking beneath the edges of my cloak, making me wish I could lean into him again. “I am just trying to clear my head.”

“I didn’t think it was such a hard question.”

“For me it is.” In the past year, I had grown content, safe—complacent. My work fulfilled me in ways that I hadn’t experienced before coming to live in the compound. However, it wasn’t the same as the epiphany I experienced when Henri was born. This had been a slow-growing contentment, perhaps more than that. “I suppose.” My needs were met, I was safe, and I had useful work.

“You are happy?” he asked.

“I am content,” I clarified.

He seemed to accept this.

The next morning, I woke with the dawn as usual. Well rested, I rose and immediately returned to my normal routine. There was no sight of Merlon at breakfast, but Sina chattered twice as much as usual, telling me tales about all the different hobgoblins I had met during our visit to her hometown.

Between her chatter and filling food, I entered the infirmary eager and equipped to work. I set to preparing the room for our morning patients, straightening, checking supplies, and preparing tools.

“Emrys summoned me again.”

I looked up to find Merlon leaning against the threshold. Early morning sunshine poured through from behind him, giving the appearance of setting his hair on fire and making the silhouette of his lean frame glow.

“The king?” I asked.

“This time to a festival celebration. He wants me there in case the magus threatening them finally attacks.”

“Healer duty?” I asked. With the sun behind him like it was, I couldn’t assess his coloring. I had been too sleepy the night before to notice if he had improved. Though I supposed the fact he had helped me down from Sage’s back had probably been a good sign. “How is your magic level?”

“Inadequate.”

I frowned at him. I didn’t like that I couldn’t see his face. “Could you step out of the doorway?”

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