Swordfall by Kate Pavelle

Author:Kate Pavelle [Pavelle, Kate]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2014-12-22T16:00:00+00:00

ONCE THE water started running cold, Sean turned it off and got out of the shower. The hot water made him feel better, and it was also a good, private place to cry. He had just a towel wrapped around his hips as he walked into the empty kitchen and put up water for tea. Tea always helped, especially if he let it steep as he was getting dressed.

Asbjorn used to make tea for him, and… and the thought of Asbjorn sent his eyes leaking again. He ripped off several sheets of paper towel with an angry yank and leaned against the kitchen counter. Get a hold of yourself, he thought as he rubbed his eyes dry and blew his nose. The water was taking forever to boil. Oblivious, immersed in a morass of self-pity and grief, he was startled when a cold hand touched his shoulder.

“Hey, Sean. What’s wrong?”

Sean jumped, letting the side of his hand strike the intruder as he pushed off to gain some space.

A loud shout split the air. “Sean?” Adrian’s hand was on his neck and he was backing away, with his other hand up in a conciliatory gesture. “It’s okay, it’s just me!”

Sean’s heart beat so hard against the wall of his chest he thought he could hear it. He panted, staring at Adrian Rios. “Sorry,” he rasped, and realized his throat was raw. “I didn’t know anyone was here.” He was still clutching his snotty paper towel in his other hand. “I… I didn’t hit you, did I?”

“You did,” Adrian said with a small smile. “You didn’t get my Adam’s apple, so all’s well that ends well.”

“You’re home?” Sean blurted out.

“In the flesh.” Adrian nodded. “I kept an eye out for the weather. I have no more client appointments scheduled today, so I figured I’d come home early and avoid the traffic snarl. I can catch up on reading my journals from home.” He gave Sean a curious once-over. “Are you home sick? You must have missed the garage opening while you were in the shower. And you don’t look too happy. What’s wrong?”

“Oh, nothing.”

“Yeah, right.” Adrian sighed. “Have you had lunch yet? It’s after two and I bet you didn’t eat. Let me heat up some leftovers.”

Being taken care of felt nice, even though it was just Adrian. When he listened to Sean, he listened with his whole being. After having been ignored and avoided for over a week, it was a nice change of pace. Within a minute, Sean was seated at the kitchen counter, his bare legs swinging from a tall, spinning barstool. He leaned onto its padded back, watching the way Adrian moved. His economy of motion while fighting was no different from the measured steps of microwaving their lunch and serving it out on small plates. The scent of melted cheese and oregano tickled Sean’s nose, and he heard his stomach roar in anticipation.

“Here’s your lasagna. Do you want to get dressed first?”

“No,” Sean said. “I didn’t realize how hungry I was.

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