iv. closeness
Katlyn and her bondmate, Grufyyd, turned out to be kind people who were used to sheltering enemies from the Council. Elspeth had decided to tell them the truth when she realised this, and Kella had naturally agreed with her decision. She could sense there was nothing sinister in their nature—they were merely deeply concerned about their son, Brydda. And she supposed they had a right to be. He was involved in Sedition, and who knew what terror the Council would inflict on him if they found out? When they asked the Misfits to convey a message to him in Aborium, however, she felt fear creeping up her spine. Aborium?
Domick would not be part of the expedition by that point, and Aborium was said to be a dangerous place. Elspeth would be the most capable member of their party, but she was still a woman, and a beautiful one at that. She would surely attract the attention of the more lecherous men there. Not to mention the fact they'd probably all attract the unwanted attention of soldierguards and possibly informers, too. Elspeth also did not know how to fight like Domick did—and neither did Jik, Pavo or Kella herself. They only had their Talents to protect them, and Kella's Talents of healing and empathy would not aid her much in a fight.
Indeed, Domick refused their request at once—and Kella noticed he'd looked sideways at her when he had—but eventually Elspeth overrode his decision and said that they would gladly travel to deliver the message. Domick was unhappy with the outcome, but there was nothing he could do once Katlyn had expressed her utmost gratitude. It was a repayment of her hospitality, after all. Even though Kella had misgivings about it, she would not deny the woman that. She felt her concern about her son, and the deep sadness it had brought her. She knew they had made the right decision, although it was a dangerous one.
Later, when Kella was packing some of the herbal remedies that Katlyn had given her for the journey, Domick knocked on the door. He slipped into the room quietly, staring at the ground; lost in thought.
"Are you ready?" he asked, after a few minutes of silence between them. Kella had the feeling he was asking about more than just her nearly finished packing.
"Almost," she replied, concerned at his melancholy mood. At the look on his face, she continued on. "Domick, we're going to be fine."
Domick remained unconvinced. "Jik is nothing more than a child and a novice, Pavo is ill. And you're—"
"What?" she challenged. "What am I?"
Incompetent, she'd expected him to say. At least in terms of fighting.
He sighed heavily. "If it came down to it, would you kill a man?"
Kella shuddered at the thought almost immediately. Domick smiled grimly. "You see, Elspeth is perhaps the only one that would, if she needed to. And her plans are often reckless and stupid."
He must be thinking about the raft, Kella thought. Although she would not use either of those words to describe the girl. To her, Elspeth was a survivor. She was strong and beautiful and distant, which made her the perfect combination to be desirable. No wonder Dameon and Matthew felt the way they did—and no wonder she had the suspicion that Rushton might, too. Kella was amused that Elspeth seemed to have no real idea about any of it.
But she felt a stab of something when she thought that maybe Domick could be added to that list of admirers. He'd seemed particularly perturbed when he'd said it. Perhaps he hadn't been centring his worry on her at all; perhaps he'd centred it on Elspeth.
"Are you concerned for her?" she asked quietly.
Domick looked at her strangely. "I'm concerned for everyone."
Kella shook her head. Of course. Not that she blamed Domick at all, for Elspeth was a good person. Why had the thought unbalanced her so much?
"…I see," she turned back to her things.
She could feel Domick staring at her and wondered why he did not leave. They had nothing left to say to each other. While they had formed an uneasy friendship—and she had perhaps invested too much emotion in it, as she wasn't even sure when she'd see him again—they were still from opposing guilds. They still had differing viewpoints. What common ground could they find? Especially as Domick was to go to Sutrium to establish a safe house. Once they completed their expedition, Kella would return to Obernewtyn with the others. Who could say how often they would see each other at all after that? She sighed. Don't think about it, she told herself firmly, else you will just inflict negativity on everyone.
They had to survive Aborium first.
"You know," he said eventually, breaking into her thoughts. "I always wanted to talk to you. At Obernewtyn."
Kella started so much that she almost dropped the pot of Katlyn's herbal soup. She turned to face him, brow knitted. "What do you mean?"
"You…" he trailed off, suddenly seeming uncertain. Kella detected nervousness. But that was silly. What did he have to be nervous of? Her? "Everyone talked about how kind you were. How accepting you were, of anything. Of anyone. They always said that you were the one to go to, not Roland, if you suffered from an injury or sickness that you might be scolded for. After all, Roland has a foul temper," he said wryly. "I thought maybe…"
Kella blinked hazily. She could hardly believe what she was hearing. She'd thought Domick had tried to avoid her as much as she had him. "…really?"
He snorted. "Sometimes it is difficult dealing with others in my guild. At times, I wished to befriend someone who was… more like you. More understanding and far less abrasive," he sighed, moving closer to her. Kella's heart raced. "I'm concerned something will happen if you go to Aborium. I'm no futureteller, but…"
"I will return," Kella said hesitantly. She couldn't be sure of such a thing, of course, but Domick's tone of voice disconcerted her greatly. She'd never heard the coercer speak with such emotion before. Her thoughts—were they possibly jealousy?—concerning Elspeth vanished, leaving only disbelief and wonderment behind. Did he really…?
"You had better," Domick shook his head. Then he looked pensive. "Kella. When we see each other again…"
She could barely trust her voice to respond. "Yes?"
He stared at her for what seemed like an eternity, before his eyes softened, losing their hard edge. His face slackened, causing him to look much closer to his age. Less like a worn Coercer ward. "…never mind. I will speak with you about it when we do see each other again. It can wait."
Kella was prepared to retort to this somewhat indignantly, for he couldn't mean to leave her hanging like that, when he crossed the room quickly and placed his hands on her shoulders. Gently, though, not roughly like she'd expected. Not daring to move or break the contact, she looked up into his dark eyes. His emotions were frenzied again, but there was a strange new feeling that blocked out all the negative emotions. Kella was too afraid to admit what it might be.
He leant down and pressed his lips to her cheek; it was chaste, but it carried a lot of feeling. It only lasted for a few moments before he pulled away again, as though prolonged physical contact would hurt him. He shifted backwards, awkward, uncomfortable, bobbing his head at her. Kella stifled a laugh—he definitely looked his age when he was unsure what to do. She'd never thought the great Domick would get so flustered. And at her, of all things!
"Be careful. Do not do anything that might attract suspicion. Make sure Jik doesn't use his Talents carelessly—if he accidentally probes someone who is mind sensitive, you will be given away. Also make sure that Elspeth is cautious and does not endanger all of you with her tendency for rash plans. And… take care of Pavo," his tone was commanding, but Kella did not mind it. After what he'd just done, she was sure it was only advice to keep her alive. Safe. Unharmed.
She attempted a smile, hoping to reassure him somewhat. "I will," she said as confidently as she could muster. "I'll miss you," she whispered as an afterthought, surprising herself by finding that she spoke the truth.
He paused as he heard the words, looking almost relieved, and left the room soon after. It was a goodbye without saying goodbye. Perhaps it was easier that way.
Kella reached to touch the spot where he'd kissed her. It tingled lightly, pleasantly.
She decided this goodbye, this moment—it was a memory she'd keep with her to brave Aborium.
