Florian Laveaux's Arc

Chapter 12 of 12

The others took the prisoner to the second tent and set a watch. Griffin cleaned his sword by the cooking fire and did not come inside. Florian understood without being told. Griffin had given his blessing months ago. Tonight it meant standing outside while the prince woke. Florian ducked back through the flap of the canvas tent and let it fall closed behind him. BelloSaros was awake. He lay on the sleeping bag with the linen bandage tight across his chest. His face was pale under the beard. His sword and blue cloak lay folded by the wall. He watched Florian cross the tent and kneel beside him. "You cut the shaft clean," BelloSaros said. His voice was low but steady. "You packed it with the right herbs. I felt every stitch." He turned his head. "I would be dead in the pass. You know that." Florian set his hand flat on the blanket near the prince's side. "I thought you were," he said. "When I caught you off the saddle. I thought I was carrying a dead man back." His voice broke on the last word and he did not try to fix it. "I have never been that afraid." BelloSaros lifted his good hand and took Florian's wrist. He pulled, gently, and Florian bent down. The kiss was slow and careful of the wound between them. Florian felt the prince's breath, still shallow, still alive. When he drew back, BelloSaros kept hold of his wrist a moment longer, then let go. "Griffin is outside," the prince said. "Go to him after. He will want to know I live." Florian stayed until BelloSaros slept again. Then he stepped out into the cold. Griffin was still by the fire, sword laid across his knees. He looked up. Florian sat beside him and told him the prince would live, and that they had kissed, and that it had happened as they had agreed it might. Griffin nodded once. He put his arm around Florian's shoulders and did not speak. Across the camp, in the other tent, the hooded driver waited bound at the wrists. Daveth would begin the questioning at first light. Whoever had paid for the eggs still had a name, and BelloSaros would want it the moment he could sit up.