ThoseWhoCherish.PDF by Elemental Alchemy

Author:Elemental Alchemy [Alchemy, Elemental]
Language: nld
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 6

By the time Alonzo reached the second floor, everything ached. His shoulders ached from dragging the bodies and scrubbing the floors. His ribs ached from the harsh series of blows he had received. The area behind his eyes throbbed.

Normally, he would do what he could for his own injuries, pray for strength and a relief from the pain, and pass out. But now, all Alonzo wanted to do was return to Ben. Nothing else mattered, except reaching the other man, being near him, touching him to prove that they were both there. Both still alive.

Ben’s home was surprisingly large and spacious, one of the most comfortable places Alonzo had visited since his 75

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arrival from Spain. There were several closed doors along the corridor on the second floor, but it wasn’t difficult to find Ben.

He had left his bedroom door open, and even from the hallway, Alonzo could see Ben’s body, long and firm on his bed, bathed in golden light from the lamp burning beside him.

“There was nobody in the barn,” Alonzo said softly as he stepped into the room. “I think everything will be quiet for the rest of the night.”

Ben’s shoulders sagged as if he’d been holding himself at the ready in case he had to get up again. As he shifted on the double bed, his hands slid out from beneath the pillow, bereft of the manacles that had bound him for the last few days.

“I found my tools to open the locks,” Ben explained at Alonzo’s curious glance. “I wasn’t looking forward to spending another night with them chafing my wrists.”

“That’s good.” Alonzo set down the jug of water he had carried up and stripped off his cassock, leaving him in his shirtsleeves. After a moment of consideration, he removed his collar and unbuttoned his shirt as well. Once he was finished with Ben, he would need to inspect his own injuries. “This water is going to be a bit cold. Do you mind?”

“No, do what you must.” Ben’s dark eyes never wavered as Alonzo dipped his rag into the jug. There was a mild flinch when Alonzo made contact with the worst of the blood, but other than that, Ben remained stoic. “How do you feel?”

“I’ll be fine. I’d probably be feeling a lot worse if you weren’t such a quick shot.”

Slowly, Ben straightened his arm. His fingertips brushed 76

THOSE WHO CHERISH

over the bruises already forming on Alonzo’s abdomen, each touch hotter than the last. “I’m sorry you got hurt at all.”

“I know. I am, too, honestly.” The soft touches continued, and Alonzo knew he should stop it, but he just didn’t have the energy. “I knew what I was risking when I knocked on the door.” As he washed the blood away, he was relieved to see the skin wasn’t further torn. The scabs had been re-opened, but they would heal over again. As long as Ben didn’t push himself.

“It looks like I owe you even more than I did.” With

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