I am revealing nothing.
Groaning slightly I rolled over, inhaling deeply then yawned, stretching like a cat before curling up again sleepily. Then I realised that I wasn't in my bed. My bed was never this comfortable. My eyes snapped open and my face dropped. Someone else was in the room. Watching me.
I spun around as I sat up, head darting around as I began to panic. Tristan smirked. "You sing in your sleep." My mouth dropped open. This was Tristan's room? What the hell had happened last night? Why couldn't I remember anything past falling over my own feet? Trying to look back I vaguely remembered Dagonet helping me get up, laughing with me but then I'm pretty sure he had left to drag Bors home, leaving me in the care of…Tristan. Oh no. Oh no, please no.
"You have ten seconds to tell me exactly what happened before I slit your throat." I warned him, glancing under the covers before sighing with relief. I still had my clothes on. Tristan shrugged, looking down as he sharpened his sword. "Tristan." My growl was threatening enough to frighten a boar back to its burrow.
"You drank too much."
"Obviously."
"So I tried to bring you back to the healers."
"Yes?" I prompted, irritated that he was drawing the story out as much as he could.
"You refused to go in." This time I stayed quiet, waiting for him to continue. "You tried to climb onto a roof to sleep so I carried you over my shoulder back here." Now he lifted his eyes to mine, where I scowled. "You seemed rather comfortable trying to take your clothes off." All colour drained from my face as his smirk deepened. "Even more comfortable with me. You couldn't seem to let me go."
"You are a sick bastard Tristan!" I snapped at him then paused. "We didn't, did we?" He arched an eyebrow then shook his head, continuing with his sword. I exhaled with relief, letting my head hit the pillow again. "Then what?"
"You fell asleep, started singing and I slept in the chair." He replied smoothly, never once looking up. "Any more questions?" I waited for a moment.
"How bad was my singing?"
"Awful."
"Damn." Slowly I got up, testing the strength in my legs before standing. My head was fine, there was no after effects of the drink, which I was pretty proud of. Either I had underestimated myself or the effects just hadn't yet hit me. Yawning again I stretched, smiling like a purring cat before heading to the door, Tristan glancing up as I passed.
"One more thing." I stopped, dreading what he was going to say. "You showed me your scar." Mortified, I spun around, staring at him. "Among other happenings."
"What? What else did I say? What else happened?" He didn't reply. "Damn you Tristan, tell me!" His mouth remained shut so I grabbed the first thing that came to hand, which happened to be an apple from a bowl of the fruits, then launched it at his head. It struck him with a satisfying crack as I swept out of the room and strode away.
I was in the knights barracks. Oh no, now I'm lost. How do I get out of here? Swallowing nervously I prayed the others would be too deeply sleep to be up so early. I really did not want to be found here. I did the most logical thing and descended the stairs, walked a few corridors as I tried to figure out this labyrinth. It was harder than it looked.
Frowning I stopped in my tracks, looking forwards and back in confusion. Where on earth was I now? Honestly, I am hopeless. When steps echoed around the corner I squeaked and searched for a place to hide but the man had already rounded the corner. "Arthur!" I breathed a sigh with relief then clapped my hand to my mouth, my eyes widening as he blinked at me. "It's not what you think, honestly." He chuckled.
"I trust you are not hurting from the drink?" I frowned at him as he approached me with a humorous look on his face. Seeing my confusion he ventured to explain further. "I met Tristan last night, carrying you inside completely knocked out. I did suggest he put you in a spare room but he wanted to keep an eye on you, for fear if you became ill." Tristan actually thought about that? I was touched. Slightly. I was still angry with him. "I'm assuming you are lost?" I blushed then nodded my head.
"A little. Perhaps I was foolish to let Bors shove too many ales into my hand." Arthur chuckled warmly then offered me an arm which I slipped my hand through and walked by his side as he led me back the way I had come to escort me out. "I don't know what came over me, I have never been drunk before."
"You do well to still be on your feet." Arthur mused. "Normally those who are inexperienced remain bedridden for most of the day."
"I suppose the wine back at the pleasure house was a little stronger than I thought and I became used to its strength." I shrugged slightly, glancing up to Arthur. "I'm a little ashamed of myself. I do not normally behave like that."
"I understand. It happens, Kat, you do not need to worry." He assured me, leading me around the corner then outside. I expected him to stop but I was pleasantly surprised when he continued to walk with me.
"Surely there is something better for you to do with your time then walk with me? I've distracted you enough already." I said to him kindly but he merely tucked my hand closer into the crook of his elbow.
"I cannot think of a better way to greet the day than to escort a pretty lady home after a rather adventurous evening." Smiling I rested my head against his arm for a moment before standing up straight again since we stepped out onto the street and there were a few early birds twittering about the place and I did not wish to give the wrong impression. Like a trueborn gentleman Arthur walked me back to the healers where he stopped at the door and nodded to me. "Have a pleasant day, Kat. Do not be a stranger."
"I shall not." I promised him, kissing his cheek in a sisterly fashion. "I bid you a good day also." Smiling I turned and opened the servants door and slipped inside. I returned to my room, struggling to not yawn as I walked rather sleepily. Belinda was still missing from her bed, as were the other two, so I undressed, went back to sleep for an hour before the morning bell tolled, waking me again.
Thankfully Verius discharged himself that morning, leaving a fairly satisfied Belinda behind, the clink of coins in her pocket as she walked. I didn't even bother reprimanding her. It was her behaviour and it was not my business how she acted with it.
He and his soldiers left three days later. It took roughly two weeks for my eye to heal completely but with the right salves the swelling and bruising receded until my skin was once again perfectly normal. After that mortifying night sleeping in Tristan's bed, I avoided the scout as much as it were possible. I could not believe him. I was angry for my own behaviour and angrier still that none of it was his fault. He'd seen my scar and that was worse than if he'd seen me completely naked. Oh hell, he hadn't seen me strip down did he? He mentioned me trying to take off my clothes, oh no! Now I'm utterly mortified!
I shuddered at the thought and Dagonet noticed the shiver. "Are you cold?" He asked me gently but I shook my head.
"No I'm alright." All the same he placed a warm hand on my shoulder, making me smile up at him. "Shall we head back? Antonius will have my head if I dally too long." Dagonet nodded his head, gently pulling his hand away to lift a heavy crate of supplies that Antonius had ordered me to pick up. I saw Dagonet flinch ever so slightly so I immediately stopped walking. "What is wrong? Are you hurt?"
"It is nothing." I arched an eyebrow at him then moved to stand in front of him, placing my hands on my hips.
"Dagonet, put that box down and tell me what hurts." Sighing Dagonet lowered the crate to the floor then slid a hand around to hold his side.
"It is just a strain." He assured me but I moved forwards to his side and gently pressed it. He didn't flinch so I carefully continued my examination. There was no inflammation and I couldn't feel a wound of any kind so I was satisfied it indeed was just a strain. "Honestly, it is nothing."
"Nothing or not, you shall not lift that crate." I told him sternly, frowning in thought. How were we going to manage this?
"You are worrying for nothing, I'm perfectly alright." When he reached down to pick up the supplies I swatted his hand away.
"I will not have you straining yourself further, my dear friend, it may impair your ability to lift a sword and I refuse to allow you to be weakened should you be called for battle." Glancing around I considered asking Dagonet to wait here whilst I ran back for assistance when the other knights suddenly sauntered into view. "Ah! How fortunate." I beamed as they all greeted us, Gawain slinging his arm around my neck as Galahad smiled slightly shyly at me.
"Need a hand Kat?" Bors asked, cracking his knuckles then stooped down to pick up the crate easily. "What's up with you Dag?"
"I have been ordered not to lift anything by a rather fearsome healer." He smiled good naturedly at me and I returned it with an arch of my eyebrow.
"Only because I worry for you." I assured him then walked with my knights as Bors started off.
"Will you come to the tavern tonight? Vanora isn't angry at us anymore for what happened." I chuckled.
"May I remind you that the incident was entirely your fault." I said to Gawain with a poke to his ribs. "You were the one to miss and nearly take out her manager." Gawain rolled his eyes.
"Someone knocked into me!" Galahad snorted.
"Is that your excuse for completely missing?" Gawain shot the younger knight a dark look.
"It's the truth." Sensing an argument and possible a brawl stirring up, I placed a hand on both their shoulders.
"Now, now, arguing will get us nowhere. What's done is done." I told them firmly. "Enough with your bickering before I box your ears and send you to your chambers." They both grinned at me, all contempt forgotten. We all walked merrily along, perfectly at ease in each other's company as Lancelot started talk of the circus that was coming to the fort in a few days. "Circus?" I frowned. "What kind of circus?"
"More like a travelling festival. It is a wonderful event." Lancelot said to me with his usual cocky smirk. "I should be glad to escort you." Giving him a thoughtful look I hummed quietly.
"What sort of festival, then? What will be there?"
"Jugglers and fire displays, dancers and music and fortune tellers as well as hundreds of stalls to play games at." Galahad said to me and I turned to him to listen. It sounded a little like the circus I used to belong to. Quietly I began to panic, only Dagonet registered the worried look on my face.
"Kat? Is something the matter?"
"What if it is my family?" I gulped, reaching out and gripping onto his hand and arm tightly, his fingers instantly curling around mine comfortingly. "If it is them, they will try to take me away if any of them saw me."
"We won't let them near you." Bors declared with a sharp growl. "Any one of them touches you and they'll have my axe buried in their skull." Smiling slightly I looked down at the ground until I felt Galahad reach out and grip my shoulder.
"We'll protect you Kat, we'll hide you away if we have to." My smile widened a little and the worry eased away from my face at his sincere and protective look. "Besides, it may not even be them. Several travelling gypsy carnivals pass through here every year and yours left only six months ago. They won't return for at least another year." Realising this was true I relaxed completely.
"In that case, I shall be glad to go with you all." I smirked over at Lancelot who chuckled. "Though if there is dancing, I shall be sure to save you a turn, Lancelot." He touched his chest and bowed his head prettily.
"My lady honours me." Shaking my head at his gentle play I turned my head as the healers came into view. I noticed one of my roommates standing at the gates, looking desperately up and down the street but when her eyes fell on me, her eyes widened and she rushed forwards.
Instantly I pulled away from the knights and rushed forwards, seeing that something was wrong. "Elspeth, what is wrong? What's happened?" I asked her as she skidded to a halt before me.
"It is the knight, Sir Tristan. He is badly wounded with an arrow but no one is brave enough to treat him and Antonius is out on an emergency call, anyone who tries to help him he sends away. He wants you. He'll only let you heal him." She babbled quickly and my eyes widened for a brief moment in fear. Tristan was hurt? We'll see about that.
Tugging at the laces of my cloak I raced forwards, letting it drop from my shoulders as I rushed inside, panic strangling my throat as Elspeth hurried to follow, calling the way to me so I bolted for the room he was in. Slowing down to a walk I allowed myself time to gather myself together. I could not appear to be panicked, it would not help the patient, even if it was Tristan. I needed to remain calm and collected, aloof to all worry.
Taking one last, deep breath I listened to the voices as I approached the door. Belinda was inside, trying to make Tristan see sense. "She has little experience, I am much better suited to this task. Just allow me to heal it for you." As I got closer, I heard Tristan's dark growl.
"I do not want you, I request Katlyn. I trust her not to pry and ask questions." I will admit, I smirked with pride.
"You've never said no to me before." Belinda purred. "Not even to my aftercare." I shuddered when I realised her meaning. So that is how she earned extra coin? It was not just a one off occurrence with the Captain, Belinda earned more money by giving private services to men who arrive in the healers. It made me sick.
"I do not want you." Tristan snapped again then grunted in pain. "Just bring her here." Pushing open the door I strode inside. My eyes snapped straight to Tristan and for a moment I felt a bolt of fear shoot up my spin when I saw the arrow but I swiftly hid the reaction behind my mask. Quickly I turned my attention to the girl who glowered hotly at me. "Out. I don't need you breathing down my neck." I commanded her, making her scowl deepen and her eyes darken.
"You do not order me around. I have much right to be here as you." My eyes narrowed further and I pulled up my shoulders. Although this girl was taller, I was far more intimidating.
"Leave now before I take off my belt and have at you." She blinked at me, her pride faltering as she swallowed then nodded her head. Striding forwards she stopped when she was in line with me, shooting me one last filthy look before speaking.
"Perhaps your lover enjoys your touch better than mine." Without pausing I slapped her across the face. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Tristan smirk slightly. Belinda squeaked as her hand leaped to her face, stumbling back from the blow. It had not been hard, merely a sting that would send the appropriate message. Cocking an eyebrow at her I pointed to the door and she hurried away, all confidence and superiority gone. The moment the door slammed shut behind her I strode over to the scout, who had watched the girl leave but now looked at me.
"You stupid fool. Don't you know the point is to not be hit by arrows?" I growled at him, inspecting the wound closely. Somehow the other healers had already managed to snap off the arrow and remove Tristan's armour and shirt so I could easily attend to the infliction.
"I'll remember for next time." He growled sharply back. "Just take it out then let me go."
"You will stay there and do as you are bidden, unless you want me to fetch someone to hold you down and strap you to a bed." I threatened him as I began to cut around the wound to open it a little further, allowing more room for it to be removed. "Whatever it is you wear, its damn good. The arrow doesn't appear to have hit anything major, are you in pain anywhere else?"
"Just take it out." Rolling my eyes I took it firmly into my hand then slid it free, the movement making Tristan hiss in pain as I quickly covered the open wound with a clean, damp cloth, stemming the flow of blood which quickly began to stain my hands. I hated having Tristan's blood on my hands, it felt wrong.
"I need you to be as still as possible." Tristan shifted then did so, lying flat on the table so that I could seal the wound shut. Unfortunately no amount of stitches would hold it together, I knew, so I had to cauterise it the moment I took off the cloths. Tristan was quiet as I hovered over him with the glowing blade, swallowing nervously.
"The more it hurts, the more I'll know you hate me." He said to me blandly so I looked into his eyes which were fixated on me. I swallowed nervously, the uncomfortable lump in my throat making it difficult for me to breathe.
"I can't." He arched an eyebrow at me. "I just can't." Trying to pull away I turned my head. "I'll get someone else to do it." Tristan reached out and gripped my wrist, gently pulling me back to his side. He tucked the wooden splint between his teeth then guided my hand down to where he could feel the wound. I took a deep breath before pressing it against the skin, pinching it together to help seal it shut. My heart hammered in my throat as Tristan flinched and grunted in pain, twitching violently but managed to hold himself still enough until I could draw the blade back. This was different to stitching wounds, I was causing him more pain and I did not want that.
Instantly I pressed frozen cloths to the wound, cooling the flesh and applying healing salves before pressing it down, letting them soak in for a while before quickly washing my hands then going to Tristan's head. He still shook in pain, feeling the burn dance up his back so I held his shoulders and leaned into him, resting my head against a shoulder as I whispered to him.
"It's alright, it's over now. I promise." Whispering I curled one arm around his head, comforting him in any way I could as slowly, he calmed down. He spat the cracked splint from his mouth then sighed, going limp on the table as I remained beside him, brushing back his hair as I watched him with concern, kneeling on the floor so that our heads were level.
"You're a good woman." He told me in the gentle voice I only ever heard him use when around animals. It made me smile. "Underneath the scorn and scowls." Softly I reached out and touched one of his tattoos, tracing it with my fingertip as I tried to figure out how to reply without blushing or letting my voice shake from the compliment.
"You're still a lying bastard." I told him affectionately. "But you're a damn good one." A genuine smile touched his face as I sat there, waiting for the salve to sink into his skin, still brushing at his hair. His eyes never left mine but for once, I was not discomforted by this attention. There was a glowing light there, soft and gentle which pulled me closer unconsciously.
"Be careful. You might get attached." Tristan warned me softly and I chuckled, thinking back to when the knights had first rushed in for emergency healing. "Remember what the master said, it eases the pain of them leaving, one way or another." Had he heard that happening? I wonder how, perhaps I had shouted louder than I first thought.
"I think I can risk it." I assured him then stood, going to his wound to inspect it. "You'll have to sleep on your front for a while. It'll leave another scar I'm afraid but it should heal well. Try and keep as still as possible then the muscles will heal back normally, if you strain anything too soon then you may cause future problems." I informed him as I peeled back the fine threaded cloth I had placed over the salved wound before replacing it. "The burn is minimal, hardly even there." I continued. "Just please don't do any stretching for a while."
"You're not going to keep me here?"
"I expect I'll struggle to keep you inside. Just promise me you'll rest plenty and not train for a time. If you feel it open, even if it's just a crack, I want you back here immediately. I'll let you go in the morning, for now, just rest." I looked to a long scar on his back as Tristan sat up, turning his back to me as he placed his feet on the ground, exhaling deeply. It was the one that I had healed when the knights had first rushed in here, all of them beaten and sliced like gutted fish. It was now only a reddened line running across his skin, a crease that will one day fade to a faint silver line. Without thinking I reached out and ran my finger over the scar, thinking back to how deep it had once been and how much blood there had been.
"Can't keep your hands off me, can you?" I didn't answer him, merely continued my path until I had reached the end of the line then retraced the path, lost in thought as my eyes flickered over his back.
"You have so many." I murmured distantly.
"Most are from my early years. When I was less experienced." He answered simply, shifting to lean back on his hand and turned his head slightly to the side to regard me as I kept my focus on the scars which intrigued me. I continued to look over every single scar on his back, wondering where each had come from. I knew the knights didn't like to talk about their battles or how they got their scars so I didn't ask. Though some I could guess which weapon had inflicted them.
Frowning I traced my four fingers over the straight lines which crossed over his back, barely visibly except for when you squinted rather closely. "These are lash marks." I realised with slight shock.
"I was caught stealing food from the kitchens." He answered me quietly and my hand stilled for a moment, looking at him. "My first real scars." Slowly I moved my hand down and touched one on the small of his back, giving him a silent, questioning look. "A spear from an ambush. I nearly died then." I shuddered at the thought of Tristan dead. I couldn't quite imagine it. He seemed too strong to be killed by mortal means.
Glancing into his eyes once again I then curiously touched three slim, faint lines on his large bicep, which made him chuckle. "A cat."
"Seriously?" I laughed quietly, smiling. "You were scarred by a cat?"
"I stepped on its tail by accident. Damn thing near mauled me to death." He was smiling, openly and properly, which made me realise how handsome he actually was. I walked around the table to face him with a lowered head. Without knowing what I was doing I rolled the sleeve on my right arm up to the shoulder then turned slightly, showing him the prominent white line that ran a short path across my upper arm. Frowning slightly Tristan reached out, taking my wrist with one hand to draw me closer then ran his finger over the upward grove, making me shudder slightly. "My father liked the bottle." I told him softly. "And one day he got angry at one of my younger brothers." Tristan's eyes flickered up to mine.
"You stood in the way?"
"I tried." Shrugging simply I exhaled, enjoying Tristan's warm touch against my skin. "It was the first knife I missed. The first and the last." Reaching out I took one of Tristan's hands then lifted it to the back of my neck, guiding one finger to find the other scar which hid just above the hairline. "And my mother liked to swing heavy books at me whenever she pleased." Tristan looked saddened as his finger stroked the longer scar. Closing my eyes I lowered my head, clenching my jaw as I struggled to keep the tears at bay. I will not cry. I will not cry because of them. They were not worth my tears.
"So, we are not the only ones who have fought their own battles." Tristan mused quietly, a silent understanding and slight respect crossing his features as he pulled back the hand from my arm and touched a scar just above his naval and my eyes followed the movement. "This one is important to me." He murmured softly and I leaned ever so slightly closer to the sound, absorbing the sound of his beautifully accented voice. "This was my first battle wound." Inspecting it quietly I lifted my eyes to meet his.
"A sword?" He nodded his head.
"It came with my first kill. A Woad who had killed my brother." My eyes widened but Tristan's face remained passive. "I watched him die, I saw the life leave his body and the light drain from his eyes." Swallowing I listened to Tristan. Somehow I felt that he needed to tell me this, that there was something he had been carrying for all these years and finally had found someone to share the burden with. Me. "He had pushed me out of the way, taken the blow for me." His words caught in his throat and my hand jumped to grip his, taking it firmly and his fingers tightened around mine. "He died for me. He died for me and I was next." Lifting his eyes to mine I saw an eternity of pain, so much pain that I began to feel it burn in my body as if I were suffering alongside him, tears rising to my eyes though I did not let any slip away from me. This explained so much about him. Why he was reserved and so quiet, he had been in pain this whole time.
"The Woad caught me and since we did not have armour, the wound was deep but I continued fighting. I wanted vengeance. I wanted his blood on my sword. It took all my strength but eventually he stumbled and I took his life but after that, I had nothing left. I fell, bleeding to death." With a long sigh his grip on my hand loosened but I continued to hang on and a ghost of a smile touched his mouth.
"But you lived." He did not reply, just continued to look down at my hand holding his so I lifted the other and touching his chin, lifting his head to look at me. "He did not die in vain, Tristan."
"It should have been me."
"Do you not think he would feel the same had your places were reversed?" I challenged gently, inching a little closer. "There was nothing you could have done, just as there was nothing he could have done to save you had he not given his life. He loved you, Tristan. The kind of love that I wished I had with my kin." Resting my hand against his face I leaned forwards and kissed his brow, making him lean into me and close his eyes. "You are blessed to have had that love and it is not gone, it is still there." Sliding my hand down his face I pressed my palm into his chest where his heart beat strongly and calmly beneath. "I cannot heal the pain you feel, no matter how much I wish I could but I can try to help you see that it is not wrong to be alive."
"My father will not forgive me. He was always the favourite son, the stronger one, the braver one. I was always second best." Tristan shrugged. "He was my idol."
"And you are mine." I murmured, making him look up in surprise, a slight frown creasing his brow. "So don't you dare ever think yourself unworthy. Not for one moment. Life is too short and too unpleasant to wallow in grief. Wake up and see the light, Tristan. There is so much joy and peace to be had if you would only let yourself grasp it." Smiling down at him I drew myself up. "I admire your strength, your courage and, although moments are sparse, your kindness. I've always thought you a great man, with or without your brother to compare you to. He would be proud of you, I know it."
For a moment Tristan was silent and I suddenly blushed, looking away when I realised I had just broken out into a passionate speech. What the hell was wrong with me? When I felt Tristan shift I looked back to him then stared as he leaned his head against my shoulder, slumping slightly. For a moment I feared he had fallen unconscious but when his hands slowly slid around my waist, I relaxed and placed my arms around him. I couldn't help but trace one of his scars since I liked the feeling of their sharp roughness under my fingertips.
"I'm sorry." I murmured to him after a while. "I know I shouldn't have pried into your past." He sighed then pulled back, eyes locking with mine as they gazed at me in understanding then carefully stood, blinking as his head became light and airy. "Tristan? Are you alright? Does something else hurt?" I asked, coming around to his side. I was surprised when he reached out and gripped onto my shoulder for support, leaning into my reliantly.
"Lead me to the bed." Carefully I placed my arm around him, helping him stand before guiding him forwards and helping him lay down on his stomach.
"Better?" He nodded his head. "I'll have some food brought up to you later. I'll be back before my shift ends then again in the morning. Try to wait for me to see you before you disappear, I'll need to mix another salve for you." I warned him gently, making sure that he was comfortable as I pulled his blankets closer to his neck. He reached out a hand and took mine, rubbing my smaller fingers with his calloused ones as softly as if they were as breakable as brittle grass. Surprised by this contact I looked down at Tristan to read his eyes. Understanding what he wanted, I slowly sank into the chair beside him to stay.
Relaxing he closed his eyes to try and sleep. I sat there, watching him quietly, occasionally reaching forwards to brush his fringe from his face, revealing his fine features so that I could greedily draw them in. "Would you like to know what else you said to me that night?" Tristan murmured, eyes still closed. "The night you slept in my room."
"It doesn't matter now." I told him gently, his fingers still gripping mine. I realised how alone he must feel at times like these without his brother. In his moment of pain, he clung to familiar feelings of softness and warmth which, at this moment, was my hand. He clung to me the way a child would cling to its mother, or a husband would hold onto his wife. "I was drunk and probably made the greatest fool of myself. You don't have to feel obliged to tell me all that happened. In fact you should be disgusted with me, I left without thanking you for looking after me." Lifting his hand I brushed my lips against his knuckles and he sighed quietly. "It seems I owe you much, scout." I told him with warm affection and he paused for a moment, shifted to get more comfortable then slowly opened his eyes to look directly into mine.
"You told me I was the greatest friend you had ever had." His voice was low and slightly sleep ridden, his eyes only half open as he struggled to stay awake. "That your own brothers meant less to you than I did." I had said that? I was surprised, even at myself. Although I despised my family for selling me, they were still my family. I couldn't care about someone else more than I did them, could I?
Tristan's grip tightened around my fingers before it went lax altogether, finally falling asleep. A slow smile rose to my lips as I leaned forwards and whispered in his ear. "You are my greatest friend, Tristan. I trust you with my life." Brushing back his hair I placed a gentle kiss on the side of his face then pulled back, gently easing my fingers free.
Of course Tristan and the other knights meant more to me than my own family. They were my family and I loved them all individually. Glancing back to Tristan I smiled again, feeling my already tight stomach twist further before I silently shut the door behind me.
Break and make up, those two. Sometimes I just want to clang their heads together, honestly! Thanks for reading and for all the reviews, it really makes my day to see how much you guys love this story. I own nothing, only the characters of my own creation. See y'all later!
