Page 40 of Ryld's Shadows
“Sweetheart, even if I had another job, I wouldn’t leave you. Those are two different things. Kai and Tenzin don’t work together, but they see each other when work is done.”
“I scare everyone away.”
“Ryld, you’re not listening to me. I’m your friend, remember? More than a friend. If I was no longer working as your companion, that doesn’t mean I stop being your friend.”
Ryld didn’t say anything to that, but he did loosen his grip on his hair. Tears still rolled down his cheeks, but he no longer looked quite so anguished.
“Is that what you thought I meant? That if I got another job, it would mean you wouldn’t see me again?”
Ryld nodded.
“That’s not what I meant. Okay?”
“You’re not going to leave?”
Hank reached over and gently brushed away a tear with his thumb. “I’m not going to leave. I’m right here. No matter what jobs you or I might have in the future, I’m not going to leave.”
Ryld swallowed and reached for Hank’s hand with both of his. He let Hank pull him up to his feet, then wrapped his arms around his neck and buried his face in his chest. Hank put his arms around him, holding him gently, running a soothing hand over his back. His hair had come half-loose from its braid and there was a dry leaf caught in it, and his pants were wet and slightly muddy from the knees down. Probably not the best look for a first impression, but Hank wasn’t at all sure trying to get him into a bathroom and cleaned up wouldn’t stress him to the point of meltdown again. Better just to get him back to the Kai and into the car.
“Hold on to me,” Hank offered as he tucked Ryld’s hand into the crook of his arm. “We’re going to be just fine. Let’s not worry Kai too much today.”
Ryld held on, and Hank led him back toward the parking lot, which took longer without the surge of adrenaline that had sent him after Ryld.
“Why would Kai be worried?”
“I think he worries a lot. About everything. Even though he doesn’t say so.” Hank patted the hand on his arm. “Right now, he’d be worried about you, that you were upset and ran off. And if you were all right. And probably if he’d done part of the upsetting you.”
“I’m not upset with Kai. He is right. Idon’twant to share you with anyone. I want to chase away anyone who gets too close to you. But I know that would make you unhappy, and I don’t want to make you unhappy.”
Hank leaned over to kiss the top of his tousled head. “Kai was explaining that it’s part of being drow to feel like that sometimes. I think it’s okay tofeellike it, and I’ll try my best not to do things that would make you feel jealous, as long as you don’t act on it. Humans have that tendency, too. They have so many stories where jealousy gets out of control, and someone gets hurt.”
“I will also try. I never ever want to hurt you, Hank. Even the shadows know I don’t want to hurt you.” He paused, then admitted, “I can’t promise not to hurt someone that tries to hurt you, though.”
“I can’t promise not to hurt someone who tries to hurt you, either. Honestly, if someone stabs me, I’m not going to be annoyed about you hurting them. That’s not the same thing as jealousy, if you try to protect someone you lo—really like.”
“Jealousy is when you are afraid someone will take something from you.”
“Well, that’s about the size of it, yes.”
Ryld seemed to mull that for a moment before he said, “If someone tries to take you from me, can I just send alittleshadow after them?”
“A very small one. Maybe gnat-sized.” Hank chuckled and moved his arm around Ryld’s shoulders to give him a little squeeze. “I won’t let anyone take me from you. And if it’s more physical, like smacking me over the head with a bat and trying to stuff me in a panel van, well, that’s a different kind of taking.”
“Let’s hope no one is in danger of being kidnapped,” Kai said drily as they reached where he was waiting for them.
“First hypothetical I could think of.” Hank shot him a grin. “Not like I owe money to loan sharks or anything.”
“Of course not.” Kai sniffed. “It would have come up in the vetting process.” He raised a hand toward the parking lot and a vehicle just turning in. “Ah, finally. Here’s our car.”
A sleek, black car pulled up to the station’s shed—one of those things they called a limousine car without the extra length.Fancy.The driver hopped out—full adult goblin, warrior caste, so he was big—and gave Kai a salute.
“Mr. Hiltas? This all of you?”
“Yes, thank you. Was there a delay?”
“No, sir. Train’s just not usually early.”
The goblin, who wore a sharp green livery with gold buttons, loaded their luggage in record time and hustled them into the car.
