Page 128 of Cast By Flames (Dragon's Breath)
“You’re paying me back for everything I’ve said to you in recent months, aren’t you?” Rayna asked.
A smile stretched his lips. “I’ve been waiting for my chance to retaliate.”
God, she wanted to memorize that expression since she doubted she’d ever see it again.
She sighed and rested her head on his shoulder. “Fine, you win this round, big guy.”
He stiffened but kept walking. At least she got him with that move. It was chilly outside in the morning light, but his heated skin was more than enough to warm her. Despite the pain in her leg, she didn’t want to think too hard about how comfortable she felt with him holding her. He could say it was payback, but he was voluntarily helping her. That had to mean something.
Before she knew it, Galadon gently laid her onto a cot covered with a camrium blanket. He glanced at his mother, who spoke with another patient.
“Rayna needs your help again,” he said in a booming voice.
She winced as all the shifters in the room turned to look at her. For God’s sake, every time she thought he was being kind, he’d do something to ruin it. If not for the pain in her leg, she would have kicked him.
Ujala hurried over and made a tsking sound as she looked at Rayna’s calf. “Please tell me you killed the one who did this.”
“Of course I did.”
“Good. I’ve lost too many patients to that fire.”
Galadon crouched on the floor, watching his mother work. “Will you be able to heal her fully?”
“Yes.” Ujala held her hands over the burn wound. “Rayna was smart enough to smother it with dirt, or else she would have lost half her leg before arriving here. So many don’t think to do that.”
She’d learned her lesson after what happened to others during the war.
“Good.” He stood. “I’ll get her some food while you work.”
After he was out of earshot, Rayna couldn’t resist asking, “Why is he rude to me one minute and nice the next?”
“Because he likes you and hates himself for it,” she replied without looking up. It was as if she’d already considered the topic and come to that conclusion.
Rayna shook her head. “He doesn’t like me at all and has made that clear.”
“Then why does he worry over you so much?” Ujala asked, lifting a brow.
“He just appreciates that I can kill a lot of Kandoran.”
The healer laughed. “Yes, that too.”
Galadon returned a moment later with a wrapped bundle of food and handed it to Rayna. Ujala had already mended her calf enough that the pain was almost gone. She tore into her sandwich, desperate for nourishment.
“Someone was hungry,” he observed.
She finished chewing her latest bite. “Yes, thank you.”
“That’s the second time you’ve thanked me today.”
Rayna paused with her sandwich. “I’ll try not to make a habit of it if you prefer.”
“Good.”
By the time she finished eating, the healer had sealed her leg. “Let it air out while you rest, and put this ointment on once before you sleep and again when you wake.” She grabbed a jar off the table and handed it to her. “Check in with me this evening so I can make sure you’re recovered enough to go back out again.”
“You’re amazing, as always,” Rayna said, gripping the jar.
Ujala’s eyes twinkled as she walked away.
