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His hands are almost gentle on her bruised and scratched arms, even as he berates her as soundly as her parents or tutors ever had.
"You are without a doubt the most stupid woman I have ever known." His warm hands leave the backs of her arms for a moment, and then more of the cooling salve rests on them, as he rubs it in. "Asinine would be a better way to describe you, now that I think of it—"
"Shut up," she replies, too tired and achy to care about propriety.
Kaddar gives her elbow a light squeeze for her troubles, although he's careful to do it right above her scrape. "You shut up. You've done yourself enough damage for one day.
Kalasin looks back at him. His head is bent, as he studies the rest of the marks on her, and tends to them as necessary. They are both silent, until she leans back, into his arms. Her head fits under his chin, and he moves a little, so that his lips aren't brushing her hair. His cheek hits the bump on the side of her head, and she winces, closing her eyes tight.
Sighing, he reaches out and holds her close. "I forbid you to go riding again," the Emperor murmurs. "Alone. If you're going to go, you're going with me."
Startled, she tries to wriggle away. "No!"
He is stronger, and keeps her with him. "You'll do as I say."
Kalasin glares up at him, even though the squinting makes her head ache. "I hate you."
"Ah, but I care."
"No, you don't," she mutters rebelliously. "I'm going to my room now." Kalasin tries to get up, stumbles over his foot, and falls on her face.
Kaddar pulls her back. "You aren't going anywhere."
Near-concussion or not, Kalasin knows when arguing with him is pointless. So she sits up, and manages to cock an eyebrow at him. "And you aren't getting anything."
Gently, he pushes her down, so that she's flat on her back, blinking up at him. "I know. Just go to sleep."
Even at the edge of sleep, she manages to give him a look that would have been lethal, if she hadn't been cuddled up against him, with the soft covers pulled up to her chin. To her indignation, Kaddar brushes her cheek with his hand. "Sleep well." He kisses her on the cheek. "Heal."
Kaddar is careful to keep one arm wrapped around her, during the night. He doesn't want her falling off the bed or doing some such ridiculous thing, and after all, she has already done herself enough damage without his protection, for one day.
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