I did not find Aldrich that night. Worry began to seep into my former excitement about Alan, but I did not let it overpower me. He was a strong warrior who had seen death through his life perpetually as seasons, and very much likely had political matters to tend to.
I just wished he would come back so that I could tell him what I did. But before he arrived, I would figure out what to say when he asked how I did it.
For the time being, I did not have time to worry about that.
A groan pierced the air and I grabbed Alan’s hand. His eyebrows were pinched together, sweat still beading on his face and naked chest.
“You’ve got this, Al,” I encouraged, rubbing the side of his thumb. “Focus. Don’t let the pain distract you.”
He was slowly mending
