Cross My Heart

Something about stories and the people who tell them has really fascinated me since I was just a child. From the first fairytale my mother recounted to the one I tell now, stories and moments seem to only be the things that consist of a person’s life, even mine. I have lived for what seems to be an eternity, and the curse that I am burdened with. I begin my tale of pain and happiness, failure and success with the story of my own beginning…

My father was an infamous leader of invaders that came to the kingdom he would rule with my mother at his side. I was to be his only heir to that kingdom. For the longest time, my parents were all I knew. For the first seven years of my life, they were like my guardian angels. My father was a wily man from a fallen city that he helped to crumbled. Some would say repeatedly that I inherited his sharp tongue and brutish ways of problem-solving. My mother was a sweet-natured woman, only when she wasn’t holding a blade to an enemy’s throat. After meeting my father, she became as war-driven as he. If there was one thing they taught me well, it was the way of war.
Many, many years ago, my life began, my mother would tell her reluctant son.

A small band of women gathered around speaking softly. A young woman lay tired and sweating on a soft bed in the corner of the infirmary as the nurses around her went about preparing for the new arrival. Outside the infirmary doors, my father paced anxiously. Nothing had ever torn him away from a battle except for this moment. Never had my father ever sheathed his sword for a child. I suppose I was an exception.
I was a month early, and I was impatient child from birth my parents would always tell me. When I was finally brought into the world, they didn’t think I would live out the week. I was also reminded that I was stubborn. I guess I showed them.
“Here he is…A baby boy.” The nurse announced to my mother and father. She gently put me in my mother’s arms as my father looked down at me with a frown.
“He’s a bit small, isn’t he?” He pointed out seating himself by his wife.
“Hush, Morty…At least look happy to have a baby to complain about.” My mother reprimanded stroking the sparse head of hair I was born with. “He just needs lots of love…” She whispered, as if to comfort her own worries. My father only nodded. He didn’t want to set off another bout of tears if he could help it.
“He will be in the best of care here, Your Majesty.” One of the head nurses spoke with a bow of her head.
“Thank you…” My mother sniffled taking a small hand into hers.
My mother rarely left my crib as I struggled for life. Her only role, she felt, was to give me all of a mother’s love she could.
“Are you still here, darling?” My father said as he crept into the dark hospital room.
“Yes…” She sighed watching her sleeping baby.
“What’s wrong, Hon?” He asked seeing her forlorn face. She simply looked up at him and wrapped her arms around him for comfort. He stroked her dark hair listening to her weep softly into his chest. “Just give him time…”
“I know…It’s just hurts so much. T-to see everyone else around us starting families…and…and I can’t even take my baby out into the sunshine!” My mother sobbed.
“But this isn’t good for you, darling…Being inside all the time, barely eating…” He looked down at me with what seemed to be a mix of sadness and contempt. I took all the attention at that time. “He’s not going to get well just for the fact that you’re hovering over him—“
“How can you say such a thing?” His wife asked pushing away from him.
“Darling, I didn’t mean it to sound cruel…”
“Then, you should start acting with some decency…Here.” She picked up her tiny son and put me in her husband’s hesitant arms. “Start acting like a father for a change.”
My father only gulped his discomfort as he down at me. He reluctantly stroked the back of my palm before I took a meaty finger into a tiny hand.
“He’s never done that before, has he?” My father asked in surprise.
My mother simply shook her head lest she begin to cry again. The man sat down slowly in the rocking chair and looked at his son again in new light.
“What have we named him?” My father asked as he gently rocked.
“We haven’t yet…You said we may not want to since he’s—“
“Bah, to hell with what I said. The boy needs a name.” He said sternly before a rare smile broke across his face. “I like Koan…”

As I grew older, I realized that my mother and father were not the typical rulers of our kingdom and were often, if not, always bickering with a neighboring land. Other leaders threatened our kingdom countless times but never followed through. One reason being my parents’ threats were never empty. They had a place to finally call home for their lost people, and they weren’t giving it up easily, not now, especially with their own son’s future to wield it.
My parents gave me as much attention as they did to their war maps. I was often pretending to read those maps right along beside them. But along with teaching me of battle and war, they tossed me into situations with new people to enter my life, children of allied leaders.
My first and only friend was mysterious fellow by the name of Damaegus. With such a sinister-sounding name, I was a bit nervous at our first meeting. After seeing him, though, I definitely took back any fears I had had. Damaegus was and always would be a bit boyish in his looks. He could barely show a menacing glare if he tried. His blue eyes showed too much innocence and intelligence to display hatred. His emotions were often obvious. He seemed to wear them on the ends of his sleeves with no modesty. Another noticeable trait of Damaegus was that he was a bit short…for any age. By the time he was grown, he stood only five foot three. He didn’t mind so much as long as people didn’t treat him like a child. Damaegus had nothing frightening about him, with the exception of his raven, black hair. It fell past his shoulders and often hid his big, dark blue eyes from others. He often tied it back, though, to show his less intimidating features. If there was one thing Damaegus was most proud of, it was his hair. I should know…I caught him several times dolling it up in mirror. I often wondered about him…
But Damaegus was also a child of prodigy that became my closest friend after his father was assigned to the protection of our palace. He was a sight to be seen when he was studying his healing powers. When I met him, Damaegus was only ten but had already made a name for himself across the country. Unlike most of the noble children, he was extremely mature and rarely gloated in his powers. In our misadventures, Damaegus was always the level-headed one, while I was the one who acted on a whim and asked questions later. He was the only one that could endure me.

“Koan, where are we going…and at this late at night?!” A short, black-haired boy called out at me. He huffed his way through the long corridor after me before tripping over his overgrown cloak. “Ow!”
I stopped and turned around to see my friend on the ground. With a sigh, I trudged up to him to see his dark blue eyes tearing up. I knew it wasn’t anything serious by the way he rubbed his injured leg. I just shook my head and crossed my arms.
“Are you almost done, Shorty?” I asked.
He just wiped his eyes and placed his hands delicately on his scratched leg. Bowing his head, Damaegus’ hands began to glow. After a moment, he removed his hands to reveal a newly healed leg.
“Show off…” I teased before beginning down the hall again.
Damaegus hopped up and followed grumbling under to his breath. With a short sprint, he caught up with.
“Can’t…you…slow down, K?” He panted as he wiped away his black hair from his brow.
“Why? So, you don’t have to sweat?” I asked looking down at Damaegus.
Damaegus only glared at me before breaking into a run leaving me behind.
“Damaegus! Oh, c’mon, I was joking!” I yelled after him. The only reply I replied was the faint splash of water. “Damaegus!” I ran out into the clearing to see my friend’s ebony head bobbing towards a large algae encrusted rock in the middle of the water.
I walked out into the slow flowing river and dived in. By the time I reached the rock, Damaegus was already out of the water and sitting cross-legged with his hands in his lap. I pulled myself up with a heave and let out a sigh.
“Thanks for the waiting…” I said trying to get at least retort from him.
He only watched with content at the setting sun.
Damaegus was a person of mysterious powers. Behind his dark blue eyes, his mind always seemed to be on other things besides what he was currently dealing with.
“Hello? Anyone home?” I asked as I waved a hand in front of his face.
“Sorry.” He said finally blinking his eyes and turning to smile at me.
“Sometimes I wonder about you…” I joked as I wrung out my shirt.
“Did you ever think that being normal wouldn’t be as fun, though?” Damaegus said turning to look at me. He hiked an eyebrow and smiled before he stood up to look down into the water. Damaegus hung his toes over the edge before I pushed him in. I followed as he pulled my feet out from under me.

Had we known hard times were coming, I think we would have made more of our friendship than the occasional nightly swim. We hadn’t been friends but for five years and Damaegus’ father took him away to be trained by unknown tutors from beyond the sea. Our last meeting wasn’t as I wanted it to be. I didn’t want to lose my only friend…
“Y-you’re leaving…for good?” I asked as I sat up from the cold rock.
“Yeah…Father says it’s to help hone my skills.” Damaegus said with a sigh. “He’s got me in with the highest healers there are. See?” He leaned over to raise his sleeve. His right hand was now covered by an intricate, black tattoo. “It’s an official healer’s crest.”
“Hmm…” was all I said. “I bet you cried…”
He only sighed in frustration before smacking the back of my head.
“K, I’ll come back someday. Promise!” My friend said with a smile. “And when I do come back, I’ll show you any new tricks I learned.”
“No, you won’t. You’re too modest to even heal a paper cut!” I said.
“I promise, K. I’ll come back. Cross my heart.” Damaegus said giving me his utmost sincerity. “Besides, you’re not good with making new friends, let alone keeping one.” He snickered before I could catch what he said.

Damaegus finally left for his studies, leaving me to my own. Over the years, my time was often spent alone, and rarely with anyone else. The only times when I had company was if my parents had a suitor in mind. Even then, I became recluse. For almost a decade, I learned from my parents and nearly forgotten about my old friend until war broke out in the kingdom…
Assassins had infiltrated our most important posts, even our very home. Many of our allies’ leaders either surrendered or were executed on the spot. The killings didn’t stop. So, my mother and I were kept hidden in obscured house well away from our old home. We had been there for nearly month, waiting out the battle. After nearly being overrun by the enemy, my father commanded that we both go into hiding. So, they took us away and kept us under heavy guard. I felt like dead weight even more with every day that passed.
Finally after with some intense bribing on my part, I was allowed to leave the safety of our haven to search for my father. He had charged into battle with the enemy to begin his conquest of regaining his kingdom. We hadn’t heard from him or his army for quite some time. Even Damaegus’ father, who was his closest advisor, hadn’t heard from the king. I was determined to get to the bottom of it.

“No, sir, I haven’t seen anyone by that name. I’m sorry I can’t be of any more help.” The farmer said nervously as I sighed my frustration.
“Well, thank you, anyway.” I said climbing back up onto the young, white horse I had bribed from an ally soldier.
With a kick, the horse set at a gallop away from the dilapidated farm. I watched carefully for any suspicious movement, but I was only met with more war torn countryside. I kept my steed at a steady run until we reached the small encampment of ally soldiers. From the rumors, the encampment was just a week’s march from the main force. Many of these men were from the frontline…
After minding to my horse, I walked reluctantly into the camp. The smell of blood and sweat nearly overtook me as I passed a cluster of tents to see the head officers’ tent. My senses were overwhelmed with my surroundings. Seeing men in so much pain and misery made me feel guilty that my father would bring them into this. The moans and wails of agony did not help with the fact that war had fallen on the kingdom. I thought my knees were going to buckle until a firm hand landed on my shoulder.
“Can I help you, son?”
I blinked clearing my mind of dark thoughts to see a battle scarred man in a captain’s uniform.
“Oh, I, uh—“
“Trespassing into soldier’s encampments is cause for serious consequences, boy.” He spoke gruffly as he crossed his arms. The captain glared down at me.
Things weren’t going as I planned. I had forgotten that suspicion had tainted these men’s minds. I had to convince him otherwise…
“Sir, I apologize for not giving further advance in my arrival, but I am Koan, son of the King Mortimer Maldroe.” I said straightening to my full height.
“Uh huh…” He wasn’t convinced.
“I am the king’s son, Captain!”
“Only if you have some hard proof, boy. Now, make it quick…or else.”
“But—“
“Koan?”
A man in a gray cloak came up beside the captain. Immediately, I realized who it was. The short man barely came up to the captain chest. He brushed back his bushy, rumbled, black hair to reveal his dark, blue eyes. When he saw me, Damaegus leapt forward and caught me in an awkward hug.
“D-Damaegus?” I pulled him away to look down at his dirt stained face.
He nodded enthusiastically. The captain looked to Damaegus with a questioning glare.
“Ah, erm, Captain. This is our prince! You should recognize him, right?” Damaegus said nervously clasping his dirty gloved hands.
The captain stood silent a moment before slapping the short man on the back and burst into laughter. He hit so hard Damaegus nearly fell face first into the mud.
“You are the prince! Haha, I’m apologize, sire. Things have been hectic lately. Lucky our little healer was here to meet you.” The captain spoke rumpling Damaegus’ hair into a mass of tangles.
“Sir, if you please!” Damaegus barked side-stepping away from the soldier. He was obviously a little peeved by the short joke, along with his hair being mussed.
“Ah, right. Well, I must be getting back to my duties. Damaegus, I trust you will see to the prince’s needs seeing as you are so chummy with him?” The man smirked. “If there is anything you need, sire, we will not hesitate to assist you.” With that, he saluted and walked away.
Damaegus glared before reluctantly saluting.
“Well…this is a coincidence, eh?” I said watching the short man in front of me fume angrily.
“Hm? Oh, yes, I suppose.” Damaegus spoke finally. “I’m actually just trying to get back home.”
“Home?” I laughed nervously. “I don’t think you’ll recognize home when you see it.”
“I know…I’ve heard from the men here. It’s a disaster from what I’ve gathered.”
I nodded solemnly.
“All the more reason for me to come back home. I’ve been gone for too long.” He sighed.
I only watched him look off in the direction I had been traveling away from. With a grunt, he yanked off his gloves and shoved them into his front pocket. Then, he dug through one of his many other pockets to pull out a piece of leather string, which he quickly and efficiently tied up his long, black hair. Damaegus, then suddenly, whirled around to glare at me.
“You’re coming back with me, right?” He asked.
“Er, uh…I don’t think so, Mae.” I said shaking my head.
His glare suddenly broke in a look of despair.
“I’m out looking for my father. He’s need to come home to the people that need him most right now, not out conquering for more…” I explained.
Damaegus’ face was still unmoved. He put his hands together as if he was praying. For a moment, I thought he was going to cry.
“Koan, I’m sorry…”
“Sorry? What for?”
“This…” Suddenly, there was white light, and then, I fell to the ground in a heap.

“Ugg…Where? Where am I?” I opened my eyes to a familiar ceiling. I was back at the house with my mother looking down at me with a look of utter rage.
“Back where you belong, Koan.” She answered with a scowl.
“Mother…” I sighed in frustration. I sat up in the bed rubbing my throbbing forehead. Suddenly, I remembered who I had encountered. “Where is Damaegus?”
“Damaegus? He’s outside, giving an earful to the guards who let you go.” My mother answered as she crossed her arms. “I don’t believe those men will be around much longer after he’s through with them…and I thought I was harsh.”
I bowed my head feeling a twinge of guilt.
“I’m sorry, Mother, but I had to look for Father. He needs to be back with his people, his family…” I explained looking into her green eyes.
“Koan, that’s why you are here.”
“Wha…?” My jaw dropped.
“We didn’t have a child just out of want to, Koan. You have been trained and taught by the best to be a king like no other. Your time of rule may not be as far away as you think, Son.” My mother explained with tears glistening in her stern eyes.
“Mother, I…”
Suddenly, one of the guards burst through the door, nearly knocking it off its hinges. Damaegus stumbled in behind him holding his side. He was bleeding badly.
“What’s going on?” My mother stood to see the pale-faced soldier.
Damaegus slumped onto the bed, not really paying me any heed and tore open the bloody rip in his shirt. There was a deep gash that must have been made by enemy fire.
“Urg…C’mon…” Damaegus grunted in pain as he finally managed to place his hands on his painful wound. The familiar glow came from his hands as he began to heal. The look of agony on his face soon melted into relief as he finally pulled his hands away to reveal newly healed skin.
“Damaegus…wh-what’s going on?” I asked as he sighed worryingly.
“Koan, we have to leave. We’ve been found.” My mother answered for him.
Suddenly, a dozen guards surrounded me. Two seized me by the arms and lead us outside into the chaos. I looked back to see that my mother was being treated in the same fashion. Damaegus ran beside us keeping a lookout for anymore attackers. I had no idea where we were going, but I soon realized we weren’t going to make it…
Suddenly, a shower of arrows rained down into the middle of us scattering the soldiers. I fell to the ground as I was let go for battle. Getting to my feet, I looked to see Damaegus blasting the enemy with the same white light he used against me. Not far from me, my mother stood with two guards on each side of her. I ran for her. As I came closer, I could see her screaming at me. But I was too late, one of the guards lunged at me, sword poised and ready.
“No…” I fell to my knees. I looked down at the sword handle lodged firmly in my gut. The traitors took no hesitation and seized my mother and fled from the battle.
Damaegus looked up to see my screaming mother and bolted after her.
I could only fall to the ground as the horrible noises all around lulled me into unconsciousness.

What only seemed a short moment, I awoke with a great amount of pain in my stomach. I was sitting upright as Damaegus held me up with one hand as the other was around the sword handle.
“Mae…?” I muttered.
With an inebriated look, he gave the sword a quick and painful pull. I could feel the pain multiply tenfold. I let out a muffled scream as he quickly stuffed a handkerchief into my mouth. With that, he pressed firmly onto the gaping wound and began to heal.
“I’m sorry for being so rough…” He muttered apologetically. “But…but we don’t have a lot time…”
I could only nod weakly as I pulled the handkerchief out of my mouth. The pain was waning away as Damaegus finished his work. I let out a sigh when he was finished.
“Where’s Mother?” I asked getting to my feet weakly.
Damaegus bowed his head in silence. He gulped back a whimper as he looked back up at me.
“Damaegus…where is my mother?” I asked taking hold of his gray cloak.
Suddenly, he burst into tears and fell into me.
“I…I couldn’t s-save her, Koan. I couldn’t do it…” Damaegus sobbed gripping my shirt. He fell to his knees covering his face with his bloody gloved hands in agony. “Y-your mother’s gone…and…and when I saw you. Oh, you scared me!! I thought you were d-d-dead!!”
I stood there numb as the short, young man continued to sob. First, my father left for conquest…now, this. It was like my family had more enemies than we realized. Blinking back burning tears, I stepped over my companion.
“Wh-where are you going, Ko—“
“I’m taking things into my own hands…” I hissed. If I couldn’t be there to protect my family, the least I could do was put the ones to death who were causing us to break apart.
I’ve been in countless battles before but this was the only battle that truly has scarred me. I’ve forced myself to hide it in the darkness of my mind to forget. Somehow over the years, it has worked, except I can’t forget the pain they put me through…What those assassins did to my mother, they did twice over to me. I truly wished death to come and save me the torture. The nightmares still haunt me…
I had fought four against one. They hacked my body until I fell from weakness. I don’t even know how I lived for so long. I screamed until they silenced me with a quick slice to the throat. As torturous as it was, I haven’t been able to bring it back into my memory without breaking down. I waited for death to come and give me release. Nothing came except Damaegus…

I opened my eyes to blackness. A soft touch startled me with a jump, which I soon regretted. Pain seared through my body like a sudden burst of flame. I bellowed out, but no noise came.
“Shh, shh…I’m sorry, K.” It was Damaegus’ voice. It sounded tired and strained. “You’re not well just yet…” A comforting warmth undulated from his hand as it calmed the fiery pain in my chest.
I wanted so much to ask what had happened, but until I healed, I simply laid there in darkness…

“Mae…What’s wrong…with me?” I whispered. Light was becoming more common.
“You were badly hurt, Koan…” He sighed.
Ever since I became conscious, Damaegus kept his head hidden underneath his gray hooded cloak. And no matter how many times he spoke, he seemed drained to the point of exhaustion. I felt it was my fault he seemed so miserable. Healing took a lot out of him, and in my case, it was required often.
I sat up with a struggle as I groaned with pain. I could feel my insides tight with agony. Damaegus leaned forward and gently halted my movement. He placed a hand on my bandaged stomach. With a flicked of his hand, a dull glowing light began to illuminate from his palm.
“Stop…Ug…stop, Mae.” I shook my head. “You’ve done enough…”
Damaegus simply sat back in tired defeat. Something was eating at him…
“Damaegus…? Wh-what’s wrong?” My voice grew a bit louder
He put his head down and let out a whimper as he pulled back his darkened hood. I stared wide-eyed at my best friend as he sat slouched over weeping softly. Instead of seeing long, jet black hair, Damaegus’ hair was now short, spiky and snow white.
“I’ve done something terrible, K.” He wept burying himself in the bed sheets.
“Damaegus…” I leaned forward to touch his white hair as he shook. It wasn’t a dream. I ignored the pain as I pulled him close. “Mae, what did you do?”
“You would’ve been g-g-gone forever! Oh, K, I’m sorry!” He sobbed wrapping his thin arms around me waist. “I’m so sorry.”
A cold sweat broke over me. Damaegus was always the levelheaded one. He never made mistakes…Now, he was in a state of turmoil.
“I-I killed that day, Koan…” He confessed still clutching to me. “I’ve never hurt anyone before…” The distraught man looked up at my bandaged face with renewed tears. “B-but when I saw what they did to you, I went over the edge…There was nothing left of them after…after I…”
I watched in my own suffering as my best friend broke down in my lap. All I could do was stroke his colorless hair until he would finish his story.
“You shouldn’t have got yourself into this…I wasn’t worth it. I was good as dead anyway.” I said as he raised his head up finally.
“You did…You did d-die!” Damaegus burst out suddenly squeezing me into a painful hug. I held back a cry as his grip loosened. “I-I panicked…I used a healing power I never thought I had. I’ve committed a horrible sin! When I saw…what they did to you…I use all I had. I tried everything to set you right…” Then he ran a hand up the bandages that covered where I was gutted. Then, his fingers traced the small dressing across my throat. Finally, he let out a sad sigh as he ran his hand through his hair.
“What about my eye… Is it just healing slower than the rest of me?” I asked gently tapping the gauze and tape covering my eye.
“I’m sorry…Koan, but…I was nearly drained. Your eye is gone…” Damaegus sniffled looking down at his fisted hand.
“Stop…Stop apologizing.” I said gruffly. “You did what you could…I’m grateful that you were there…” I admitted before lying back in weariness.
“I believe I did too much…” My friend said under his breath as he looked down at me with watery blue eyes. He looked almost nauseated. “I haven’t even told you what I’ve done…”
“Then, tell me already…” I sighed.
“…I will…I-I need to—“ He didn’t bother to finish. Damaegus covered his mouth before running to the bathroom.
“Mae…what have you done to yourself…?” I asked silently as I listened to his retching.
“So, here he is.” A voice slithered from the now open doorway. “Don’t mind me…I’ve just come to finish a job.” It was one of the butchers who helped maim me.
He stepped into the room. Light revealed that Damaegus had dealt some major damage. His mutilated face contorted into an evil grin as he advanced. I noticed more burns and jagged scars littered his muscled arms as he passed the sunlit window. I sat up sharply. Again, the pain nearly blinded me. It felt like my insides were just a twitch away from spilling out. I opened my mouth to warn Damaegus, but the man was quicker. He lunged with his sword, and with one swift move he reopened my throat. The blow took me to the floor. A huge foot loomed to each side of my head as the man above me raised his sword to finish me. It never came. A sickening pop came, and the assassin fell to the floor beside me. A familiar blackness once again came. I was dying…again. I only hoped I wouldn’t suffer this time.

“Koan? Koan?” A familiar voice came from the brightness behind my eyelids.
“Ugg…Wh-what’s goin’ on?” I sat up in bed to see Damaegus, pale and worried, in a chair beside. “Where am I?”
“We had to leave town…” He sighed. “…again.”
“What? I…I thought I die—“ I held my head in my hands in disbelief.
“You did…”
“Damaegus…what the hell is wrong with me?!” I shouted grabbing him by his shirt collar lifting him from the floor. Too weak to struggle, the short man only winced at my death glare.
As suddenly as I had grabbed him, I let him go. My body, once too weak to even move without pain blooming from it, now was with renewed strength that I had never had. I had enough strength to clear Damaegus right off the floor. It almost felt like it tingled with energy to burn. I looked down at my chest to see only healed scars of the previous battle. Touching my neck, I could only assume it was healed as well. As Damaegus had admitted, a simple patch covered my scarred eye. I was totally healed…
“You can’t die…at least, not by mortal human, terms I believe.” Damaegus said softly. “When you receive a mortal wound, you ‘die’ in a way, but you always come back and your body regenerates itself and becomes stronger…That’s why you feel the tingling feeling. It’s the powers I gave up that are giving you strength.”
I could only stare at the healer in awe.
“I learned forbidden things, K, when my father sent me away. I never thought I would put them to use…” He continued. “After I helped you, I lost all my healing powers. Only when I’m close to you, I can use them. We are now connected in that. I must follow you unless I’m willing to give up my powers. And I’m not ready for that. It’s all I have, Koan.” Damaegus sniffled. “And after, killing that man…we had to run again. Do you not see how complicated I’ve made things?”
“So, that’s it…” I realized now why he was so upset. He was crying over his magic… “You’re stuck with me, because you refuse to give up healing.”
The short man only nodded. He ran a hand through his white hair slouched over to hide his flushed face.
“Why did you do this if you would lose your powers?”
“Koan, you’re my only friend! My father had nothing to do with me…and did you actually think I would let you die when I may have had the power to save you?” The short man explained straightening in his chair. “Koan?”
“You were just cocky…”
“Wh-what? Cocky? How can you say that?” He asked obviously taken aback.
“You must have felt pretty good knowing what you did…but after your hair went white, I bet you were feeling different, huh, Shorty?” I growled.
“My hair is the least of my problems, Koan. You have no clue what I had to go through…” Damaegus said with a hint of rage under his breath. With an angry jerk, he pulled up his hood and walked out of the room in shaking fury.
I watched him with fuming anger until all I could hear was the stomping of his boots and the slam of the door. He was no better than the people my father considered his friends…Those friends had put a knife into his wife’s back and cursed his son with no surrender of death.
Throwing back the blankets, I put my feet to the floor. If there was one thing I was doing, I wasn’t going to lie in bed anymore. Two months was plenty enough for me.

“Damaegus, you have to talk to me.” I said firmly as his hooded head kept down at his drink. “We’ve fought before, Mae, but this is far more important. So, it’s especially essential that we don’t keep things from each other…” I sat down in front of him in the corner booth. I learned shortly after leaving the room, where I was recovering, that we were staying at an inn in a town I had never heard of. “Now, I’ll ask you one last time before I make a scene…Where are we, and why are we so far from home?”
“I’m hunted now.” Damaegus answered without protest.
“Wh-what?” I coughed. I leaned forward raising my eyebrows. “Why?!”
“For your murder.”
“But you didn’t—“
“I was the last one to be seen with you. No one survived.” He explained. He sighed in defeat as he continued. “Besides, with the exception of you, I was considered a threat.”
“You’re a healer!” I pointed out in stunned surprise.
“I know…but my father sent me off for these past five years to become a tool of war. I got wise quick…I learned only what I believed to be for goodness.” Damaegus said in disgrace. “Or so I thought.”
“Mae…I—“
“I don’t need pity from you. I told you I had bigger problems, and now you know, so just let me be until I can compose myself.” He said sternly taking a long pull of his drink.
“Fine, but do yourself a favor, and get some sleep.” I said before standing up. “Exhausting yourself and getting drunk is no way to deal with problems. You should especially know that…” I started away until I felt a tug at my shirt.
“We’re in Gillen…Stay unnoticed if you don’t mind.” Damaegus informed me before letting go. “So, be careful.”
I muttered my reply and walked out into the afternoon air. I decided then I was going to find a seamstress. My clothes were reduced to rags…

I walked down the street trying to ignore the stares I was getting from the passersby. From the wild fire of rumors, I heard that I was a dreaded pirate from across the sea. The only thing I could do was ignore the gossip and hold my tongue; something I wasn’t good at.
I pulled my sleeves down on my newly tailored shirt and shoved my hands into my recently mended pants. Putting my head down, I headed back to the inn in a hasty manner.
“Hey, sir!” I looked up to see a young boy trying to get a short, familiar man’s attention. The man raised his head from his evening reading at an outside table. Damaegus looked at the boy with a blank expression to see him running up. “Sir! Can you help me?”
“What is it?” He asked pushing his hood lower onto his face.
“I-I noticed that you had a healer’s crest on your hand…” The boy pointed out as he scratched the back of his head. “My…my sister, she’s blind and I thought—“
“I can’t…” He proclaimed firmly before going back to his book.
“B-but you have that official crest!”
“Look, kid, I’m sorry. I can’t—“
“Where’s your sister?” By that time, I had reached Damaegus and the boy without each realizing I was there. They both jumped at my question.
“Sh-she’s across the street…” He answered inching back from my stare. Obviously, looking like a pirate made me seem a bit intimidating.
“Koan…I don’t—“
“C’mon, we’ll see what we can do, Mae.” I interrupted him once again.
He reluctantly rose from his seat, slammed his book closed and shoved it under his arm.
“Lead the way.” Damaegus growled angrily gesturing with his arm for the boy to hurry.
We reached a tall building and waited inside as the boy went to fetch his sister. Damaegus slumped into a chair and glared at me for a moment before going back to his book. I only stood with arms crossed watching him from the corner of my eye.
“Just how long are you going mope like this?” I asked as he turned the page.
“I’m not moping. A lot has happened and, personally, I don’t do well with stress, K. So, get off my back.” He said simply. His eyes never left his book.
“You are. I should be the one upset, Damaegus! I’ve probably been in battle more than you can hardly fathom!” I barked throwing my hands up in frustration.
He didn’t reply back, but I could tell from his reddening face that he wanted to say something.
“Here she is, sir.” The boy entered the room leading a young girl only half his age.
“All right. I must tell you not to get your hopes up, children. I’m only a weak powered healer and my abilities are limited.” Damaegus said standing up and laying the book in his chair. “Now, I’ll see what I can do for you…” He spoke softly to the trembling, little girl.
Kneeling down, he gently put his hands to the sides of her head and covered her eyes with his thumbs. Bowing his head to touch hers, he closed his eyes as he attempted to call forth his lost power. Nothing came. Damaegus opened his eyes in panic and looked up at me to see I was near. Again he tried, nothing.
“C’mon, Mae. You’re just nervous…” I said uncertain. I took a step closer. Maybe it would help.
He tried a dozen times, but nothing happened. Finally, with his hooded face down in shame and a simple apology, he took his book and walked back to the inn. I could only follow him.

“Damaegus… You can’t keep this up. Healing isn’t the only thing in the world.” I said through the door.
Damaegus had locked himself into the room and refused to answer. I made myself comfortable on the floor and leaned against the door. I put my ear against the hard wood listening for any stirring. I heard nothing but the occasional faint sound of a page turning. At least, he wasn’t crying. That was getting old…
“Mae, c’mon. Let’s just forget about it. Let me in, and I won’t bother you. I need to take a bath. Promise.” I pleaded reluctantly.
I heard the sound of soft footsteps toward the door and the turn of the lock. I smiled to myself and got to my feet. Opening the door, Damaegus was on the bed. His back was to the door, and his head back to his reading. I walked to him and loomed over the short man until he looked up at me to point out my promise.
“You’ll get a headache if you read in the dark. You should know that, Shorty…” I sighed and pulled the lamp string. Light filled the far side of the room.
“Thanks…” He said gloomily.
With that, I kept my promise and closed the bathroom door behind me.
Closing the curtain around the tub, I sank into the hot water. I couldn’t even remember the last hot bath I had had. For the past few weeks, Damaegus had been giving me sponge baths against my own free will. I sighed in happiness that I put that behind me. I wasn’t too modest, but seeing Damaegus face turning bright red every time he had to wash me, it was a bit embarrassing. I hated feeling weak in front of the one person that counted on my strength.
Sinking in the soapy water, I held out my scarred arms and sighed again. I had to find someone who could make me a little less frightening. The stares were getting irritating. I guess I couldn’t blame them, though. I hadn’t really had the chance to look at myself.
After the long soak, I pulled the plug and got out of the tub. Wiping off the steam from the mirror, I realized why people were gawking. My arms were stripped with white scars as was my chest. Touching the white scar around neck made me go cold with disgust. Finally, I looked up at my face to see a lone scar across my eye that snaked from the side of my head through my eye to cross my nose. I feared what I would see. My body was worse enough with what I saw. The bath didn’t make me feel as clean as I thought I was. No one wanted me like this. I wasn’t even supposed to be alive…
With a towel wrapped tightly around my waist, I quickly made for the extra bed. Throwing the blankets over my head, I fulfilled my promise and kept quiet. I felt sickened with myself. I reached out for the patch from the nightstand and slipped it over my eyelid. If there was one thing I hated, it was letting Damaegus see me cry. I put my pillow over my head and closed my eyes from the Damaegus’ lamplight.

A sharp edge held close to my neck. I opened my eyes to see three shadowed figures holding me down. I jerked away only to feel the cold steel break skin.
“Stop!!” I jerked awake to wake from my own scream.
I gripped my neck to feel nothing there. It was a nightmare. Nothing had changed. I was still alive. I covered my face with my hands. I couldn’t hold back any longer. Tears came like a burst dam. I wished for nothing more than to just lie there until everything around me died…
“Koan?” The door creaked open. Damaegus walked in holding a cup of steaming coffee. “K…?”
I turned my back to him and covered myself again. With a clink, he set his cup on the nightstand and said my name again. A pull from the blankets told me that he had sat down on the bed beside me and put a comforting hand on my hidden head.
“I’m…I’m fine, Mae. I just had a bad dream. That’s all…” I explained controlling the shaking in my voice.
“You’re crying…” He said softly. I didn’t answer him as I felt him rest his head on my shoulder. “I’m so sorry, K.”
“…Not your fault…”
Damaegus simply sat there holding my arm. For a moment, it was like I had my mother back. I had been fourteen the last time she had doted on me in such a way. Now, nearly fifteen years later, my closest friend was there to care for me. I almost felt like a kid again as I pulled off the blanket to look at him.
Damaegus look down at me with a weak smile. I sat up and wiped my face.
“Thanks…” I said as he handed me a handkerchief. I blew my nose before clearing my throat to speak again. “You must think I’m a jerk…”
Damaegus shook his head never taking his blue-eyed gaze from me.
“You’re only being that way because you’re stuck with me…” I pointed out lowly.
“No…You’re my best friend, and I should think you would consider me more loyal than what you think.” Damaegus said sternly as he crossed his arms.
“Sorry…I’ve just finally looked in the mirror…metaphorically and literally, I guess. Heh…and I’ve, at last, realized that no one’s going to be with me…not like this.” I said with a frown as I touched a white cut on my arm.
“Koan…” Damaegus was still looking at me with blue eyes. “You shouldn’t think that way. It’s just going to get some getting used to…”
I reluctantly nodded. When I looked up, I saw his unblinking eyes looking at me sadly.
“Something wrong?” I asked raising an eyebrow realizing his unbroken stare.
“I…uh, no…” He said. He ran a hand through white spikes of hair before finally looking away. The man was obviously keeping something from me.
“Mae…You’re hiding something.” I said narrowing my eye at him.
“No, no! It’s nothing like that!” Damaegus said waving his hands in front of himself. His smiled grew before picking up his cup again. With a sip of coffee, he got up from the bed and made his way to his own bed.
I decided I was too burdened with my own problems to worry what was on Damaegus’ mind. Seeing the morning sun through the window, I wrapped a blanket around me and went about gathering my clothes for the day’s travel.

“So, Mae…I have a question.” I said as I adjusted my travel pack.
We were heading as far south from our homeland as possible. Nothing good would come about if we stayed put for too long, and I didn’t believe going back would take the bounty off of Damaegus’ head. So, running for now was our only choice.
“Hm?” He asked.
“Why did your hair change like that?” I said nervously indicating the hidden white fluff under his hood. For a moment, his walking faltered, but he quickly recovered with a small smile on his face. He was trying not to get upset again.
“It was a side effect from the spell… It warns all that I have committed a great sin.” He answered. “It’s short now, so that I don’t draw as much attention. I tried to shave it off…but it only grows back too quickly.”
“Oh…” was all I could say. From the smile sticking to his face, I knew I had hit a nerve unintentionally. “Sorry…I was curious.”
“It’s fine.”
We walked on in silence until my curiosity made me speak again.
“Mae?”
“What?”
“Can I ask you one last question?”
“When did you start getting so scared to ask me questions?” Damaegus said jokingly. He gave me a genuine smile this time.
“I’ll take that as a yes, then.” I said before continuing with my question. “Mae, earlier, you told me that you couldn’t use your healing powers unless I’m near you. Well, yesterday with that little girl, why couldn’t you?”
Damaegus stopped in his tracks. His smiled melted away into a frown. He let out a long breath before rubbing the back of his neck.
“I don’t know. Maybe I was wrong.” Damaegus simply shrugged.
“Well, I mean, you were healing me when I was recovering…and that was nearly a month ago. Surely, it was just something you didn’t do it right…” I pointed out.
“No, I did everything I was taught. It was something else I haven’t taken into account…” He shook his head with a sigh. “Or maybe, my powers have really left me.”
“C’mon don’t think like that. Try to take your own advice and not worry about it.” I tried to comfort him with a rough pat on the back. “Now let’s try to get into some shade before this heat kills us.”

“Ug…my back…” I grunted as I slumped over onto a fallen tree.
I wiped to the sweat off my forehead before rummaging for the canteen. Having my fill of water, I handed the water to Damaegus. He gladly took it and gulped down water until he had to pull away for a breath.
“Hey, Mae, why don’t you take off that heavy cloak? It’s scorching out here.” I pointed out as Damaegus panted.
“No…My hair.” He said between breaths.
“Who cares about your hair, Mae? A few stares are better than what you’re doing now!” I said. “Here. I’ll even carry it for you.” I took hold of the cloak and yanked playfully. For a moment, I thought I jerked too hard realizing Damaegus hit the ground with a heavy thud. “Damaegus?”
“Oooh…” The man groaned slowly pushing himself up.
“I’m sorry! I thought—“ I began until I saw Damaegus’ feverish face as his hood fell back onto his shoulders. “Mae, you don’t look so good.”
“I’m fine…” He lied as he licked his parched lips.
“No, we’re going to find a place to rest.” I said sternly.
Without protesting, he managed to get back to his feet. I wrapped his arm around my shoulders and helped him along the path. He raised his hand up pulling the hood back up. It seemed this had become a bad habit. I knocked it back off with a frown. Damaegus didn’t speak another word and stumbled along.
“If only there was a town close by…” I said to myself. I stopped for a moment to look at our makeshift map. There wasn’t a village of any sort within a day’s walk.
“Towins is the closest…” Damaegus pointed out hoarsely.
“It’s too far. We wouldn’t make it. We’ll just camp out somewhere. Maybe I can find us some water to cool you off.”
“We can make it…I’m just need a quick rest…” He trailed off before sinking to his knees.
I caught him before his red face was dusted over in dirt. I picked him up with a heave and began to search for anything worthy to sleep on.

My luck had seemed to be failing until, finally, finding an abandon campsite. Obviously, travelers came through often enough to make the area into a somewhat permanent camp. A small brook flowed quietly as I unrolled our beds. Damaegus sat nearby as he leaned against the tree that willingly shaded most of the clearing.
“There. Now, let’s get some shut eye. C’mon, Mae. I fixed your bed.” I said as I dusted off my pants.
“Thanks…” He spoke hoarsely before weakly crawling to the nearest bed.
I shook my head as he struggled into makeshift bed. Seeing that the short man had made himself somewhat comfortable, I went to the edge of the brook.
The water was an absolute relief as I stuck my head in. Pulling my wet, brown hair from my face, I sighed as the cool water seeped downward. I looked over my shoulder to see Damaegus sprawled on his bed in a deep, snoring asleep. With that, I stripped off my clothes and stepped into the flowing water. I sank into the brook bed until water reached the top of my nose. Being in such cold water reminded me of the old times back home, back when everything, at least, seemed to be at peace. I smiled happily at those old memories until I heard a voice from above.
“Whatcha smilin’ for? You fart or somethin’?”
I shot out of the water in surprise.
“Who’s there?!” I called out, ready to fight.
“Geez, man, show some modesty!”
I looked down realizing my predicament and dropped back into the water.
“I said, who’s there?”
A girl dropped from a nearby tree. She didn’t seem like any type of threat. Instead, the girl looked a bit too scrawny to do anything. She looked at me behind short locks of grayish-brown hair with narrow gold eyes. With a confident smile spread on her face, she sidled closer to where I hid myself in the water. For such a skinny girl, she had a lot of nerve to approach a full-grown man. Maybe it was she had the upper hand in the whole wearing clothes area.
“Name’s Sadia.” The girl said bluntly as she squatting down closer. I looked away as her tight shirt emphasized her bust size.
“Go away…” I mumbled before sinking even further into the water.
“My, such manners!” She exclaimed sarcastically. The girl leaned closer until her hand touched the top of my head. “I’ve always kept wonderin’ why I hated strangers so much…Thanks for remindin’ me.” With that, she shoved my head under.
“What the hell was that for?!” I shouted as I burst out of the water. “You got a lot of nerve to—“
Sadia only pointed and laughed. Once again, I stood out in the open again.
“Now, I can see why you’re such a grumpy guy!” She laughed.
Embarrassed and enraged, I clumsily snatched up my clothes and hid in the brush as I struggled back into my clothes. With a huff, I stomped back out to face the girl.
“Feel better?” She smiled teasingly seeing my anger.
“What do you want?” I asked gruffly as I watched her take off her shoes following her stockings.
“I heard you had a healer.”
“Hmph. He’s not in that business anymore.” I said bluntly as she dipped her bare legs into the water.
“Really now? I thought healers stayed with their position ‘til death…” Sadia said with a hint of suspicion hidden in her voice.
“Well, Damaegus has no services to offer to anyone, especially not you.”
“Oh, so he only services you?”
“That not what I meant!” I shouted as I tightened my fists.
“Ooo…Did I hit a nerve?” She smiled craftily.
“I think you’ve hit a nerve too many. So, if you don’t mind, leave us alone.”
“Oh, please…First of all, it’s called a joke. Second of all, I’ve seen a lot smaller, dear.” Sadia said with an exasperated sigh. “All I wanted to know was if your healer could help us at Towins Delivery Center.”
“Delivery center? That’s midwife work.”
“Sure…That is if we weren’t so short in midwives…” Sadia pointed out as she swished her legs back and forth through the water. “His help would be appreciated, though…”
“Hmm…I don’t know. We’ve been through quite a few obstacles the past few months. I doubt he’s up to it.” I said still not giving her any sign of a truce.
“Fine, I can’t say I didn’t try.” She sighed as she pulled her feet from the brook and got to her feet. The girl stood almost as tall as me even without her shoes. With a look of great displeasure, she pulled on her stockings and shoes and made her way down the brook. Before disappearing out of sight, she turned with a raised finger and spoke again. “You just make sure to tell your boyfriend, or it’ll be on your head if any mommies or babies die, because a perfectly good healer didn’t get the news.” With that, she sprinted out of sight.
“He’s not my boyfriend!!” I bellowed after her. I stood there in a huff for a moment before I went back to camp.
“Who were you yelling at, K?” Damaegus asked softly as I walked up.
“No one. It’s nothing to worry about. Here, I got you a cold wash cloth for your head.” I replied as I squatted down beside him before putting the cold cloth to his forehead. “I’ll tell you later. Let’s just get some sleep.”
He sighed tiredly before closing his eyes again.

I woke up early the next morning seeing Damaegus had discovered the refreshing brook. He was barely visible as his head sank into the cold water. I only hoped that Sadia girl had gone on her way.
With a loud yawn, I got up and prepared for the day of travel. It only took me barely ten minutes to pack everything with so little we had. So, I counted our small stash of money seeing what damage had been dealt with so much time away from home. I shoved the money back in small leather pouch before throwing it back into Damaegus’ bag. If we didn’t get some sort of income soon, we would make sleeping outdoors a long time habit. I cursed to myself not realizing it sooner. Now, I had to tell Damaegus about Towins. By that time, I heard his footsteps approaching.
“I see you’re up.” Damaegus said happily. He ruffled his damp, white hair as he sat down across from me.
“Yeah, I thought we should hit the road early, so the heat wouldn’t be so bad.” I explained before looking up at him. “I see you’re feeling better?”
He nodded still smiling.
“Hey, uh, Mae…There’s something I wanted to tell you.”
“What? Is something wrong…?” His smile faded into a concerned frown.
“No, no. It’s nothing like that. I mean, it’s hard for me to say, because I’m not one to bring this kind of thing up…”
“What is it, K?” Damaegus asked leaning closer.
“Uh…we nearly broke.”
“Oh…” He said as he cast his eyes downward. With what seemed to be a disappointed sigh, he straightened and rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah, I was meaning to tell you. But I didn’t want to burd—“
“Enough with all this guilt and burden bullshit.” I interrupted him with a tone of frustration. “From now on, we keep no secrets from each other. What one goes through, the other does, too. So, we’re in this together until…until you decide you can go on without your healing. All right?” I stuck my hand in front of him.
He looked up at me in somewhat surprise at my sudden outburst. For as long as we had been friends, neither of us had found any need for cursing. At least, I only did on occasion, and that was only when I was at my wit’s end. So, Damaegus knew now that I was dead serious. With a bit of reluctance, he took my hand and sealed the pact with a firm squeeze in agreement. For a moment, I thought I felt an odd vibration coming from his hand, but I dismissed it for the moment.
“So…what are we going to do for money?” Damaegus asked sheepishly.
“Well, I, uh, had a run-in with a girl from Towins. She said they’re needing help at the Delivery Center there…”
“The Deliver Center? Are…are you saying you told her that I would help…?” He questioned with a nervous gulp.
“No! I only told her I would tell you.”
“B-but that’s where babies are born…and…and the women…”
I could tell by the fear in his eyes that he wasn’t too thrilled by the job offer. I swore that I saw a slight twitch of his eye as he became lost in thought.
“Look, Shorty, you don’t have to go. There’s always other ways of getting money.” I said trying to break my friend’s worrying thoughts. “And don’t worry, I’ll find a job that’ll get us as far as we need to go.”
“I-I suppose.” Damaegus said with another gulp.
“Well, let’s get going before the sun gets too high.” I said as I threw on my pack.
“Wait, where’s my cloak?” The short man said as he began to rummage through his own pack.
“Here.” I tossed a black piece of cloth at him. He dangled it in front of himself, inspecting with a confused look before looking up at me. “It’s for your hair. Just tie it on your head, and you shouldn’t have to worry about people seeing your horrible, white hair…”
“K, you don’t have to say it like that. I’ve told you. I’m a sin—“
“Well, I don’t think you are, but if it makes you happy, cover it up.” I said bluntly.
For a moment, he looked at me with a pained look, but quickly tied on the bandana concealing his white hair. With that, he picked up his pack and followed me back onto the trail.
“You’re mad at me?” He asked quietly.
I shook my head.
He touched my arm in a friendly gesture to smile sheepishly at me. Again, the unusual vibration came back once again from his touch.
“Mae?” I stopped suddenly.
He pulled his hand away and shoved it into his pocket. He was blushing.
“What’s your deal lately?” I asked raising an eyebrow.
“N-nothing. I just think you’re mad at me…”
“Look, I’m not mad. OK?” I said turning to look at him. “But I think I’ve found where your powers have gone to…”
“Wh-what?” Damaegus suddenly looked very hopeful as his blue eyes widened at the thought of having his powers again.
“Here…” I took out a knife from my belt and put it to my arm.
“K!! What are you doing?!” The short man shouted as I ran the blade down the inside of my arm.
I watched as the blood soon began to drip off. Damaegus freaked out as he held the sides of his face in fear.
“Are you suicidal?!” Damaegus shouted. “Is this some kind of sick joke?! Koan, I can’t help you!” He began to pace fretfully until I seized his arm.
“Heal me.” I said sternly. I glared into his fearful face as I place his hand on the cut.
He blinked up at me and then, down at his hand holding tightly to my bloodied arm. With a nervous gulp, he nodded and placed his other hand atop it. Just as I had thought, light emitted from his hands and the cut began to close up.
“Ah!” Damaegus shouted in surprise.
“Knew you could…” I smiled happily as I pulled my newly healed arm away from his grasp. I looked down to see Damaegus staring at his hands in tearful awe. “Mae?”
“Thank you, Koan!!” He cried before hugging me tightly.
“Er, uh...welcome?” I said nervously pulling him away gently.
Damaegus looked back down at his hands in awe until I tapped him on the head.
“K? How did you know?” He asked wiggling his fingers in childlike fascination.
“I’m surprised you haven’t noticed…” I pointed out as I smiled at his renew happiness. “I think you can heal as long as I touch you.”
“This is wonderful...Oh, Koan, I can’t thank you enough!” Damaegus laughed putting his finger to my shoulder to feel his power pulsate weakly under my skin.
“Hey, cut it out!”
“Sorry, sorry!” He apologized before running ahead of me.
“So, I’m guessing you’ll go ahead with the Delivery Center job?”
“Eh, what’s the worst that could happen?” He smiled. Now, it seemed nothing could rain on his parade. He was just simply overjoyed to have his healing powers back in some shape or form.

By the time we reached Towins, the healer’s arrival had obviously been anticipated. When we entered the local inn, we were greeted by a familiar girl and the innkeeper.
“I knew you wouldn’t turn us down.” Sadia smiled slyly.
“Ehehe…” Damaegus chuckled sheepishly as a group of young women surrounded him.
I left the short man to fend for himself as the innkeeper took me aside to pay for our stay.
“Er, we don’t have a lot money to spend right now…” I said embarrassingly. “…but we’re, uh, I mean, I’m willing to do any odd jobs if that will help with the bill.”
“I noticed you were with the healer.” He said rubbing his chin. “Well…if you don’t mind helping me with the upkeep, I’ll let you two stay free of charge.”
“R-really?”
“Mm hm. The only thing is that I can only afford to give you one room.”
“Oh, it’s no problem…” I said waving my hand dismissively. “Er, there are two beds, right?”
“Of course!” He laughed.
“All right…” I sighed. “Well, I can’t thank you enough, sir.”
“Not a problem. We’ve been looking for a healer for quite some time, so it should be us saying thanks.” The innkeeper said before noticing the squealing girls huddled in the middle of the room. “Ehehe, looks like the local women have found a way to thank the little guy.”
“No, ladies, please! I don’t even know your names, yet!” I heard Damaegus yelping as the girls began petting his bright red cheeks.
I only laughed to myself as I left Damaegus downstairs to follow the innkeeper up to our room.

“Oh, God…what have I done…?” Damaegus moaned as he fell on his bed.
I looked over my shoulder to see a rumpled-looking healer. He covered his eyes with his arm and let out a groaning sigh. I simply continued unpacking my bag as he carried on whining and moaning.
“C’mon, Mae, you should be use to it.” I said to shut him up. “I mean, remember back when we were younger. You always had someone hanging all over you.”
“Not always…” The short man said with an embarrassed frown. “You had girls to come calling, too.”
“Not as many as you, though.” I sighed with a half-smile.
“K, you’re making me feel bad.”
“What? Why?” I asked stopping my busy work to look at him.
“You know why…don’t play dumb.”
For a moment, I truly didn’t know what he was talking about, but then, I look at my scarred arms. My mood darkened greatly when I finally realized.
“Oh…yeah, that.” I muttered before turning back to the clothes folded on my bed. I decided they needed refolding.
“K?”
“Hm?”
“I--…” He started but paused before clearing his throat. “I think I’m going down to the Delivery Center to see where my help is needed…”
Damaegus got to his feet and patted my shoulder comfortingly before walking out. As much as I wanted to take out my frustration, I only stood there in fuming anger.

“Push, woman!! Babies don’t have themselves, you know!!” I heard a familiar voice bellow out as I came to walk Damaegus back to the inn.
“Oh, you must Koan, Maegus’ friend.” A young woman in a nurse’s garb said when she noticed me standing in the middle of the Delivery Center looking a little lost.
“Yeah.” I said nervously hearing the man yell out again. “Er, who’s yelling?”
“Oh, that Mr. Maegus.” She said sheepishly. “Your healer friend is really good at what he does, but…I think he comes on a little strong. Don’t tell him I said that, though!” The girl pointed out.
We had been in Towins for nearly a month, and Damaegus had made a name for himself as always. No matter that he had no healing powers without touching me, his personality made him a very addictive person to be around. The only thing that kept us from being found out was changing his name. Though reluctant at first, Damaegus agreed to the change. The only local that knew his true name was Sadia, and that was only because I let it slip when we first met…
“You mean, that’s him yelling at that poor woman in there?” I asked as my face became extremely pale.
“Ehehe…Afraid so. But I suppose this is normal. It’s close to his time to go home. Mr. Maegus gets a little moody if he’s behind schedule.” The nurse said with a nervous shrug. “Well, Mr. Koan, I must be getting back to my rounds. Nice meeting you.” With that, she smiled and continued on her way.

“Gimme another…” Damaegus mumbled to the barkeeper as I watched him finished off his sixth bottle of liquor.
“Mae, you’re going to kill yourself drinking so much.” I said resting my elbow on the bar.
“I’ll manage.” He said grasping a new full bottle.
“And yelling at those women like that…Have you’ve been doing that the entire time at the Delivery Center?”
“Yep.”
“You’re in crabby mood tonight.” I pointed out bluntly.
“Look, I’ve been screamed at, kicked and punched today. I really think my attitude is justified. Besides one of the girls wants me to come over after I’m done here.” He sighed. “Might as well get good and drunk…Heh, cheers.” The short man grumbled before raising his bottle to me and finishing it off in one long gulp.
I felt a pang of guilt for the healer as he got to his unsteady feet.
“You want me to take you?” I asked.
“No.” He answered. “I’ll be fine. I probably won’t be long…” With that, Damaegus walked out into the evening.

I woke to the sound of Damaegus traipsing in earlier than usual and with a soft thud, he fell on his bed and was instantly out. I rose up to see him sprawled on his bed, an arm and a leg dangling over the side. Feeling sympathy, I quietly got to my feet and looked down at the sleeping man. I stooped down and pushed his leg back under the sheets. As I grabbed his arm, he gripped mine with surprising strength.
“Kitten…”
“It’s only me, Mae. It’s Koan.” I whispered trying to gently pull my arm away.
“I’m sorry…”
I ignored his muttering as I continued to pry my arm away. He only pulled me closer.
“Damaegus…C’mon, Shorty. Wake up!” Now I was getting a little unnerved. I yanked my arm away to have my shirt seized in its place.
“Oh, Kitten…” He pulled me on top of him and smashed his lips to mine.
“Damaegus!!” I shoved myself away but not before slapping the drunken man awake.
“OW!! What was that for?!” Damaegus shouted as he sat up rubbing his face.
By that time, I had made a direct bee-line for my bed. I glowered at the confused and bewildered man across the room before I found my voice to speak again.
“You…stay over there.” I growled wiping my mouth roughly.
“Koan?” He asked with a tone of great worry. “Koan, what’s wrong? Why did you slap me—“
“Go back to sleep, Damaegus…” I said gathering my coat.
“What did I do?” He fell out of the bed and caught my pajama bottoms.
“If you were still wanting some action, why didn’t you just stay at your girlfriend’s house?” I asked coldly unable to look at the short man still holding tight to my pants.
“Wh-what…?” Damaegus suddenly straightened taken aback by my words.
“You kissed me, Damaegus.” I snapped. “You kissed me…” With that, I opened the door and slammed it behind me in disgust.
I stomped down the stairs to make myself comfortable at the bar.
“Hey, K. Sorry, but I’m closing the bar for the night…” The barkeep said apologetically.
“Just give me case, and put in on our tab…” I said gruffly.
Reluctantly, he set of six bottles in front of me before carrying on with his cleaning. I took no time in killing the first two bottles as I saw Sadia out of the corner of my eye.
“Hey there, Koan. You’re up late.” She said, a little too cheerful for my taste.
“Mm…I guess.” I mumbled opening a third bottle.
“K-Koan!” A wailing voice came from upstairs.
“Was that Damaegus?” Sadia asked looking up to see a half-dressed healer come stumbling down the stairs.
Damaegus tripped over an untied shoelace and fell forward before clumsily getting back to his feet. His hair was hidden under the black bandana but strands of white made themselves present. He looked around frantically until he saw Sadia and me sitting at the bar.
“Oh, Koan, please don’t be mad at me!” He whined catching his breath as he hugged the bar for support. “I wasn’t even half-awake, K!”
“Stop yelling, Damaegus…” I said callously before dropping the third bottle with its empty friends.
“Koan, there’s something I’ve wanted to tell you, ever since that night you…that my hair…er…I mean—“
“I don’t want to hear it.” I said bluntly.
“Please, K, don’t be this way. I thought you of all people would be more—“
“Look, if you want to go talk to someone, why don’t you go talk to that girl you were with tonight, huh?” I snapped. “What do you want from me anyway?”
“I want you!!” He shouted before realizing what he said.
I dropped my opened bottle to stare at him in wide-eyed horror. Neither of us flinched when it crashed to the floor. Sadia let out a gasp as I suddenly shot to my feet.
“Ah! Koan, let go of me!” Damaegus yelped as I took him the collar of his shirt.
“Koan! Back off!!” Sadia now jumped to her feet trying to wretch my grip from Damaegus. I ignored her attempts by shoving the short man into a chair.
“Why? Why are you telling me this now?!” I barked at him leaning forward and slamming my hands to each side of his chair. “Are you getting bored with girls, Shorty?”
“Koan, please!! I was afraid that you—“ He began to plead.
“Hey, hey! Is there a problem here?” The barkeep rounded around the bar to see what the commotion was about.
“Nope…No problems here. Damaegus was just leaving.” I said in my most cheerful voice before straightening up.
“Well, I don’t want any troub—“
The barkeep was interrupted by the sound of knuckles slamming into skull. Damaegus let out a painful yelp as he fell to the ground. I glowered down at him with utter contempt as I rubbed my burning knuckles.
“KOAN!” Sadia shouted at me before pushing me out of the way to aid the healer.
With the girl’s help, I watched Damaegus get to his feet and limp away from the bar and up the stairs covering his injured face. I knew I had hurt him. The emotional wounds were just as obvious the reddening eye. I knew it when I saw him pull off the black bandana I had gave him so long ago and throw it to the floor before slamming the door behind him.
“Damaegus?” Sadia ran up the stairs to his room. “Damaegus?” I watched as she knocked gently on the door. To anger me even more, I saw her glare down at me as Damaegus let her in.
With a grunt of fuming anger, I sat back down to finish my drink. The room was silent for the most part. Many of the late night inn patrons had left, fearing a fight. Even the barkeep had seemed to have disappeared. By the time I set my bottle down, I saw Sadia coming back down the stairs.
“Koan, stand up.” She said as she crossed the room.
I simply leaned back on my stool to glare up at her.
“Fine.” With that, she pulled back her arm and let me have it.
I fell out of my chair as her fist slammed into the side of my face. Anger flared anew as I struggled to my feet.
“This is definitely not a fight you want to pick.” I roared coming within inches of Sadia’s face. “Sadia, this is none of your business!”
“I’m not pickin’ a fight. I’m finishin’ one. That poor man up there wouldn’t dare raise a finger against you, and you turn around and beat the hell out of him!” She yelled taking a step forward, forcing me to step back. “I don’t know what he sees in you, but someone like that, with such a good heart, does not deserve to be treated like you’ve been doin’ him!”
“Going out with girls and then, trying to make a pass at me is just fine, right?”
“He wasn’t out for entertainment, Koan. He just can’t talk to you like he can with us girls. If he wants to be with anyone, it’s you, and only you. You should, at least, give him a chance. He wants nothing more than to make you happy. That feelin’ should be shared. That’s what makes life worth livin’.” Sadia said sternly.
“Hmph…If living is what you’re cursed with, then, love will eventually get old…”
“Why don’t you just get over yourself, and make someone else happy for once?” The girl asked before shaking her head.
There was an uncomfortable moment of silence before I could speak.
“I…I can’t.”
“Yeah, I suppose that’s askin’ too much from you.” Sadia said with an exasperated sigh. “You’re no better than the rest of ‘em…”
“No!! I won’t stand here and let you judge me on what you think you know.”
“What more is there to know?!” She asked throwing her hands up.
“I can’t die.”
“What?”
“I can’t die…”
“What do you mean by that? Have you had too much to drink?”
“No! I mean exactly what I said…I cannot ever die.”
Sadia only stood there with her mouth slightly open before she spoke again.
“Is…is that why Damaegus’ hair is white?” She asked quietly.
I nodded solemnly.
She covered her mouth in shock as she fell into a nearby chair.
“I can’t be with him…because when he dies…it-it would hurt too much.” I said finding that the booze may have finally begun to kick in.
“Koan, he’s the one that cast the spell, isn’t he?” She asked running a hand through her hair.
“Yeah…”
“I would have never guessed...” Sadia said lowly.
“What?”
“No…” She shook her head firmly. “He should tell you.”
I looked up the stairs and then, lowered my head with a sigh.
“Just give him some time. He’s pretty upset.” The girl said before standing up. “I hope you guys get through this. I can see that you two make each other happy, even if you don’t see it. Just don’t throw his friendship away, Koan…” With that, she wiped her eyes and walked outside as the sky began to darken.
I sat there for the longest time until my thoughts were scattered by the rumbling thunder outside. I realized then why I had been so harsh with Damaegus, because I feared getting hurt when he was gone. He was all I had. Taking a deep breath, I made my way up the stairs. I rapped quietly on his door.
“Mae…it’s…it’s Koan.”
There was a soft click and his face appeared through the thin crack of the door.
“I-I…I wanted to…to apologize.” My eye wondered nervously. I couldn’t look at him and the damage I had done.
With that, he closed the door and locked it, leaving me out in the hallway with the coming storm. Damaegus knew I despised storms and was punishing me for what I did. I deserved it. I slid to the floor in defeat and waited.

I jolted awake as thunder crashed loudly through the town. The windows rattled violently as the wind and rain pelted the glass. I had fallen asleep on the floor hoping Damaegus would eventually let me in. Obviously, he hadn’t forgiven me. Thunder roared again sending shivers through me. I couldn’t stand it any longer. My phobia of storms wasn’t going to give me a break even in this situation.
“Damaegus! Let me in! I don’t care if you haven’t forgiven me! Just let me in!” I banged on the door. Pain burned against my knuckles. I hadn’t realized how hard I had hit him. I almost felt like doing it again if he didn’t open the door. “Damaegus!!” The thunder drowned out my calls. “Fine! I’ll do it my way…”
With a hard heave, I slammed into the door. It didn’t budge. Again, no luck. Finally, at a dead run, I fell into the dark room flat on my face and the door barely hanging on its hinges. I struggled to my feet with a groan. Something warm dripped off my chin. Touching it and bringing it close to my eye, I saw my nose was bleeding from the fall. If that wasn’t enough damage, my arm couldn’t move without pain following.
“Argh…damn.” I muttered to myself as I fell onto my cold bed. I lay there bleeding and shivering. For a moment in the quiet room, I could’ve sworn the little man across the room had called me an idiot…

“Geez! Koan, what happened to you?!” I opened my eye to see Sadia gawking down at me. I pulled my head up to see the amount of blood stained on the pillow.
“Ug…my nose.” I sat up wiping off some of the dried blood from my face. “Argh! My arm…damn.” My shoulder had become stiff and extremely sore. “Why the hell didn’t I heal?” I muttered to myself.
“You only fully recover if you die.”
I looked up to see a stern-face Damaegus standing beside Sadia. His eye was swollen shut and dark purple. I put my head down feeling shamed and belittled.
“I don’t think many people die from ramming themselves into hardwood doors.” He said bluntly before taking off his gloves. “Now let me see what other damage you dealt with your idiotic stunt…Take off the shirt.”
I only raised an eyebrow.
“Do it.”
“No.”
“Koan—“
“Not until you heal your face.”
“I wouldn’t have to if you didn’t—“
“I said I’m sorry!”
“Words won’t work this time. Now, if you want to wallow in pain, just tell me.”
“Damaegus, c’mon. Let’s go—“ Sadia began.
Damaegus put up his hand in a furious authoritative gesture silencing her almost instantly.
“Ok, then…I’ll be downstairs.” She sighed as she backed out of the broken door and dragged it closed behind her.
“Mae…I’m…”
“Don’t bother. Just take off your shirt.”
I quietly obeyed. With a wince of pain, I tossed the shirt to the floor and sat silently as Damaegus sat on the bed and put his hands on my wounded shoulder. For the first time in a while, I felt disgusted with my scarred body. I could feel Damaegus stern, blue eyes roaming across my hurt shoulder. A burst of pain came from his hands that trailed all the way to my fingertips, but as soon as it came, it was gone. My arm was healed. He kept a hand on my arm as he healing touch reached my bloodied nose.
“…thanks.” I muttered once he finished.
Damaegus said nothing as he looked down at the floor.
“Why won’t you fix your face…?”
He shook his head.
“Please…” I take his hand and put to his eye. “Please, Mae…I feel like a monster…doing this to you. At least, heal yourself.”
With a sigh, he took my other hand. I could feel the warmth emanating from his hands. I watched as the swelling soon shrunk away and the purple faded back to his olive tan skin to match the rest of his innocent face. With a feeble smile, he let go of my hands and looked at me with newly healed face. His dark, blue eyes were wet with tears.
“Damaegus, I don’t know what’s wrong with me…I…I’ll understand if you can’t…forgive me.” I said lowly as he rose off the bed.
He remained silent as he jerked the busted door open.
“Mae, where—“
“Nowhere…” He muttered. His eyes kept to the floor, refusing to meet mine. “You shouldn’t care…” I watched as he disappeared and listened as his soft footsteps came down on the stairs.

Nearly a week passed, and small talk was rare between the two of us. I felt totally alone as I watched Damaegus enjoying himself with the company of others. I had become a stranger, an unwanted stranger.
Night had fallen on Towins with another impending storm forming. I lay in my bed gripping tightly to the blankets, and my head buried underneath a pillow. I felt foolish for having such a phobia. Before, I never did felt that way. I guess it was Damaegus was always there. He wasn’t this time. Lightening flashed, illuminating the room. Thunder followed rattling the entire inn. I squeezed closer to the wall but soon realized the blankets wouldn’t budge. I jerked furiously at them but to no avail. With a great reluctance, I pull off the pillow to look over my shoulder to see what caught the covers.
“Hey…” Damaegus sat quietly on the bed.
I sat up in awkwardness to see his face temporarily exposed from the darkness by another flash of light. He looked out the window as rain streamed off the window.
“I…couldn’t sleep.” He explained as he looked back at me.
“Me either…”
“Can I…sleep here?”
I thought my heart would leap out of my throat. I swallowed hard before I could answer.
“I, uh, I guess.”
Without hesitation, he slid under the covers. Scooting away as far as possible, I hugged the wall trying to rid myself of the awkward feeling in the pit of my stomach. As much as I tried not to touch him, I could feel his cold arm against mine. At that moment, I was thankful for the darkness as my face burned feverishly.
“Cold?” I whispered attempting to break the uncomfortable silence.
“A bit…” He answered quietly.
I looked at his shadowed face for what seemed forever. Something about his presence nearly made me forget about the onslaught storm outside. Damaegus made things seem easier. He made life feel even more worthwhile. As thunder rolled menacingly outside, I relaxed away from the wall to put a warm arm over my friend’s shivering body.
The following morning, I awoke to a warm hand rested on my chest. I looked over to see Damaegus still sleeping soundly. My thoughts raced as I directed my eye to his hand. What would happen now? How was I supposed to act? I was too confused to even fathom what the day would bring. All I knew was I did feel something for Damaegus. Whether it was only a fleeting feeling was my guess. I could only take something like this a step at a time.

“Koan, I don’t know what to say…” Sadia said with a sigh.
“Sadia, you’ve got to help me. I have no clue what I’ve falling into…” I muttered as I sat down beside her in the stable loft hanging my feet off the edge.
“I know what it is.”
“What?”
“Love.” She smiled.
I shook my head with a frown.
“No, Koan! You wanted my opinion!”
“I’m not in love with him…” I disagreed as I picked up a stray piece of straw.
“Then, what?” Sadia asked with exasperation.
“I…I don’t know. I guess I have an overwhelming amount of attachment to him. I don’t feel the same when Mae’s not around…” I explained tossing the piece of straw to the ground.
“Obviously, you’ve never been in love.” The girl laughed with a shake of her head.
“Oh, and you’re all-knowing in that field?” I asked sarcastically.
“Hey, you came to me, didn’t you?” Sadia said raising her eyebrows. She had a point. “Listen, Koan. Love’s just somethin’ that happens. It can happen in a blink of an eye, or grow over a lifetime…It’s not somethin’ you can willingly give or dismiss. Love’s just one of those complicated emotions. Why do you think people write more books about love than anythin’ else?” Sadia explained still smiling.
“I guess you’re right…” I sighed. “Time will only tell.”
“Well, let’s not get so excited now.”
“It’s just I wasn’t expecting it…but then again, I kind of was.”
“Yeah…”
“Hey guys.”
I nearly fell from the loft with surprise. With his hands in his pockets, Damaegus smiled up at us.
“I finished early today.” He said before climbing up the ladder to join us.
“Didn’t lose your temper today, did you?” Sadia asked.
“Came close a few times…but I kept my cool.” Damaegus answered pulling off his black bandana. “I guess I’m in a better mood than usual.” He said glancing at me for a moment before his cheeks turned pink.
Sadia seem to have noticed, too and nudged me to speak. I frowned at her before being painfully pinched.
“So, uh, no screaming women today?” I asked awkwardly.
“Of course there were screaming women. I help deliver babies, don’t I?” Damaegus said with a slight condescending tone. “I just didn’t scream back, that’s all…”
“Hmm…” was all I said. I felt a bit foolish for asking such dumb question.
“I mean…you should know it’s not all labor and pain, K.” He spoke again trying not to sound so snappy. “I mean, today was kinda nice, because one of the women wanted to name their baby after me…Heh. A bit embarrassing if you ask me…”
“Aww…How sweet!” Sadia cooed clasping her hands together.
“Ehe…” Damaegus chuckled shyly as his pink face soon darkened to red.
“I don’t think that’s such a bad idea…” I said before I realized I opened my mouth.
“Wh-what?” Damaegus looked away from Sadia to blink at me in surprise.
“I, er, uh…I gotta get back to fixing the stairs!!” I stammered before jumping down to the ground. I jogged away before either could call me back.

“K?”
“What?” I asked out of the side of my mouth as I held two nails between my teeth.
“Koan, is something wrong?” Damaegus came up from behind to watch me poise my hammer above a shaking nail.
“No. I’m fine.”
“Oh…all right. I just thought, you know, since you ran off so quickly that you were upset or something.” He explained before I began to hammer down the nail.
“Don’t worry about it.” I said lowly soon realizing I beat the nail in extremely crooked. With a frown, I pried the bent nail from the floor.
Damaegus sighed before sitting down and opened his mouth again.
“Koan, if you don’t want me to be around you anymore, just tell me.” He said bluntly with a look of exasperation. “You’ve been acting so embarrassed when I’m around…like you’re ashamed.”
I opened my mouth to drop the remaining nail. In awkward surprise, the hammer fell from my hand onto my thumb with painful bang.
“Argh! N-no, I’m not ashamed, Mae.” I quickly defended before sucking my wounded digit.
“Then, what is it?” He asked as he pulled my hand way from my mouth.
“I…I don’t know…” I said knowing my cheeks were burning pink.
“I see…” With that, he let out another sigh before letting go of my hand. “Well, I’ll let you get back to your stairs.” He said lowly before stalking off darkly.
I couldn’t think of anything to say. So, all I could do was inspect my throbbing thumb.

For nearly two weeks after that, Damaegus made himself scarce by staying longer and longer at the Delivery Center. I felt that his behavior was something I had caused. Sadia had even complained that he wasn’t speaking to her as well. I had to get over my pride and speak to him. I knew my only chance would be when he came home at dark and made himself good and drunk at the bar. It seemed all our problems grew around that place, like a garden of burdens we could never weed out.

“Damaegus…?”
He jumped at my voice as I walked into the empty bar.
“O-oh. It’s you, Koan.” Damaegus said holding his hand to his heart. He seemed exhausted and inebriated considering all the empty bottles surrounding him.
“Mae, is something wrong?” I asked sitting down beside him on an uneasy stool.
“Mm…’don’t worry about it.’” He mocked draining the rest of the bottle sitting in front of him.
“Damaegus…”
He rested his chin on his shoulder to look at my stern glare. The short man grinned sheepishly before shaking his head.
“You shouldn’t worry about me, K.” Damaegus said turning his gaze to his collection of empty bottles. “I don’t worry about you, you don’t worry about me…That’s how it is.”
“I want to know why you’re drinking yourself to this--“ I stopped to see Damaegus rubbing his cheek miserably.
“You don’t care…” He said as he got to his feet.
“Please, Mae…”
“You’re so stubborn. It’s going to get you killed—“ Damaegus spoke before realizing it. He covered his mouth as he sank to the floor in defeat. “What am I saying…?”
“Damaegus?” I asked joining him on floor.
He just waved his hand dejectedly to show he was fine. With a tired sigh, the short man looked at me with a weak smile.
“K, why are you so determined to figure me out?” Damaegus asked. “Is it that you actually feel something for me?”
I choked, obviously taken aback by Damaegus’ words.
“Wh-why are you asking that for?!” I stammered.
“I don’t know…I was just remembering when I kissed you…on accident.”
“If you remember correctly, I wasn’t too thrilled!” I spoke trying to hide my red face.
“Yeah…” Damaegus said sadly. “But you forgave me…” With those words, he smiled weakly.
As he spoke, I finally realized his problem. I pushed him to the floor and straddled holding him down.
“Koan!! What are you doing?!” He yelped as he struggled under my heavy weight. “Get off of me!!”
“It’s me…”
“I know it’s you, you idiot! Now get up!! I can’t breathe!” Damaegus turned his head to avoid my glare. His struggling began to weaken.
“No, that’s not what I meant.” I pointed out.
Suddenly, Damaegus stopped struggling and looked up into my darkened face. He gritted his teeth realizing I had found him out.
“Koan…I don’t want to tell you.” He whispered.
“S’okay…” I muttered back leaning closer to him. “You’ve helped me in more ways than you can imagine. The least I can do is to make you happy...”
“No…That’s not how I want it.”
“Then, how?” I asked. I was hovering inches above the blushing man as he squirmed slightly underneath me. “It shouldn’t be that bad.”
“You shouldn’t do something you don’t want to…The feelings should be…be…mutual—“
His explanation was briefly interrupted as my lips pressed to his. I fell more deeply into the kiss as I felt his hands gripped tightly to my shirt. Damaegus’ hand ran slowly up my shirt that suddenly startled me back into reality. The kiss seemed so brief as I pulled away to look down to see the short man gulping in nervousness.
“S-sorry…I was getting carried away. Must be the drinks…” He mumbled apologetically.
“No…It’s all right.” I said softly sliding off of him to slouch over him still lying back on the floor.
“So…I guess you know now.”
I nodded.
“…And you’re not mad?”
I shook my head.
He propped himself up on his elbows to suddenly frown at me.
“So, why did you get so angry the first time we kissed?”
“I don’t think being kissed was the first thing I was expecting when I was just trying to help out a drunk friend, but…” I admitted. “…but when I saw you like you’ve been...”
“You wouldn’t be mad if I kissed you again, would you?”
“Not sure…”
Damaegus sat up to lean against me. I felt my heart racing as the short man raised up to kiss the corner of my mouth. He blushed furiously as I returned the reaction.
“Th-that was it?” I asked.
“Well, I’m sorry I’m not just the perfect kisser every time, Koan…” The short man huffed crossing his arms.
“Damaegus, I was kidding…” I said with a half-smile.
His frown soon disappeared as he smiled back shyly.
“But, Mae…I just want you to know—“
“It’s OK, K. You’ve proved to me time and again that you have a soft heart, even if it gives you an ulcer to show it.” The healer chuckled as he leaned his head on my shoulder. “I have to keep reminding myself of that…”
“So…what do I do from here?” I asked unsure how to react to Damaegus’ gesture of affection.
“We just do what we feel like doing. Things don’t have to go as fast as you think they should…” Damaegus pointed out as he poked the end of my nose.
“Yeah…” I said before resting my head on his. “I’m getting tired…I guess waiting for you kept me up longer than I thought...”
“I’m beat, too.” He said with a loud yawn. “All that overtime at work has nearly killed me…and my throat is sore from all the yelling.”
I smiled to myself as I got to my feet and stretch. When I looked down at Damaegus, his hand was reaching out for mine. I took it sheepishly and pulled him to his feet. When he got to his unsteady feet, he wrapped his arms around my middle.
“Let’s get to bed…” I said maneuvering with great difficulty up the stairs as the short man held tightly to my waist.
When we stumbled into our room, Damaegus reluctantly let go and shuffled to his bed with another tired yawn. I sat on my bed deciding whether or not to say what I was tempted to say.
“Mae, what are you doing?”
“Going to bed, dummy…”
“Over there?”
“It is where I sleep…Oh. You mean, sleep over there? With you?”
I nodded patting the empty space beside me.
“Oh, all right…” He sighed trying to hide his excitement. He got into the bed and pulled me down with him into a brief kiss. “Thank you, Koan…” With that, the healer rested his arm on mine before closing his eyes.
“Welcome…” I whispered before kissing the back of his neck.

From that moment on, I woke every morning to Damaegus’ warm body snuggled close to mine as if he feared I would disappear if he wasn’t as close as he could possibly be. From the occasional muscle spasms, I didn’t mind his presence. It made me feel needed having him so close. The feeling grew stronger as the weeks passed, and my conscience was beginning to pester at me.
As much as it made me uncomfortable to act as intimately as Damaegus did with me, I felt compelled to do so. I loved seeing him smile when I showed some sort of affection, even if it was the smallest of intimacy.

“This music is so soothing.” Damaegus sighed with a slight hint of a smile on his face as he sat on his bed listening to the merriment downstairs. Nearly seven months had passed since Damaegus confessed his affection for me. Things had seemed to have changed for the better.
He put his head down to look solemnly at the hardwood floor. The way he sat there with his feet barely touching the floor made him look like a little kid. Damaegus pulled off his hat to let down his growing white hair. It fluffed out, hugging his cheeks and nearly hiding his dark, blue eyes. I missed his black hair, but I was getting quite fond of the lack of color.
“What?” Damaegus had looked up to see me staring at him.
“You…” I said with a smile. “You seem a little sad that you’re missing out on the fun downstairs.”
He blinked annoyingly at me before going back to the slow music playing downstairs. His body swayed slightly as his foot tapped to the beat.
“Remember the dances our parents made us go to?” Damaegus asked in nostalgia.
I nodded with a sigh.
“I miss that…”
“You only miss it, because you always got sex afterwards.” I joked.
“Koan! That’s not entirely true!” He blushed. “I just liked the attention…”
“I guess being stuck with me isn’t doing anything for you.”
“No, but things seem to change for the better…”
“Yeah…” I spoke with a smile. It was kind of eerie seeing that we seemed to be on the same page.
Damaegus sighed again before walking to the darkened window. His reflection showed me he was very homesick.
“Hey…” I stood behind as he turned to look at me.
“Hm?” He asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Care to dance?” I stood up and held out my hand.
A smile spread across my short friend’s face as he took my hand.
He wrapped his arms around my neck as I placed my hands on his waist. I didn’t know what came over me, but I shut out any reluctance when I pulled him closer. We swayed slowly to the music losing ourselves to its spell. Damaegus slid his arms down under my arms to hold me in a weak hug and rested his cheek on my chest. I could feel my face burning red. I had never been this close with a man, and the fact that Damaegus wasn’t shy about showing his fondness unnerved me. He was much more open to affection than I could fathom. But I let him…I promised him I would do my best.
“Don’t think you’ll get in my pants afterwards…” I said trying to break my awkwardness.
Damaegus chuckled softly. With eyes close and a serene smile, he seemed to off in his own little world, rubbing his fingers ever so slightly downward until they stopped on the small of my back. My heart felt like it was going to jump up into my throat when I felt his touch. All I could do was swallow nervously as I rested chin on top of his head. I had never felt this way for anyone, but I felt like I was more whole with Damaegus around. I always wanted him in my company…
“Mae?”
“Hm?” He asked. His soft voice vibrated softly against my chest.
“C-could I kiss you?”
He pulled his head away to look up at me. At first, I thought he was going to start laughing, but he only smiled before nodding.
Nervously, I leaned into him barely an inch from his lips. Damaegus anxiously rose higher onto his tip-toes to shorten our distance. When our lips met, I could feel the warmth bloom throughout my body. Damaegus leaned further into me as he pulled closer. But before our kiss could even break any inhibitions in the back of my mind, the door knocked loudly.
I pulled away immediately making Damaegus lose his balance. He fell flat on his face as I quickly backed away to the banging door. I waited for Damaegus to move, but he laid there pathetically in twitching heap. I muttered an apology before throwing his bandana over his white hair and then, answered the door.
“Hey, guys!” It was Sadia. She saw my reddened face and immediately covered her mouth. “Oh! I’m so sorry…I-I was just seein’ if you two wanted to come join us, b-but…I see you guys have been—“
“That’s not it!!” I yelled waving my hands in front of my face.
Sadia only stood in the doorway with raised eyebrows. Her eyes left me to look at Damaegus on the floor. She coughed politely to get his attention. He turned his head to rest his cheek on the floor.
“What, Sadia?” He mumbled.
“Damaegus, dear, why are you on the floor?”
“I tripped…”
“…And you don’t want to get up?”
“I don’t think any of you want me getting up just yet.” He explained before banging his forehead on the floor.
“So, you two have been at it…”
“N-no!!” I blushed even more. “And stop talking so loud! The door’s wide open!”
“Oh, come on, Koan. Just admit that you like guys!”
“I don’t like guys!!” I hissed as I sat on my bed to look at Damaegus’ pitiful behavior.
“Well, Damaegus is a guy. I’m sure you know that by now. Or would you like Damaegus to roll over for you?” Sadia said loudly. Obviously, Damaegus was embarrassed by her bluntness as well as his face began to turn crimson.
“I’m not gay! I don’t like guys! I only like Damaegus!!” I blurted out in honest embarrassment.
Sadia stared at me with wide eyes as Damaegus rested himself up on his elbows. He looked up at me in surprise. At first, I thought I had said something terribly wrong. I sank to the floor and bowed myself until I was eye to eye with Damaegus.
“Mae, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—“
He took hold of the back of my head and pulled me to him. Damaegus kissed me with an open mouth, which I pulled back.
“I…I’m glad you’re not gay…” He smiled shyly as his blue eyes averted downward to the floor.
I fell back onto my rear end at his reaction. Damaegus laid back on the floor with a content sigh now leaving Sadia and me in complete and awkward silence.
“Koan…?” Sadia’s voice made me jump.
“Go away…” I said quietly.
With a quick click of the lock, I returned back to the short man lying on the floor after ridding the room of the meddling woman. I sat down in front of him to see his forehead planted to the floor again. For once in all my life, I felt the horrible need to take Damaegus where he laid. But my conscience held me back, only allowing me to stroke his soft, white hair.
“Koan?” He rested the side of his face on the floor again.
“Hm?” I asked quietly as I continued to pet him.
“Did you really mean it when you said you only like me?” Damaegus asked nervously rolling his head to the side.
“…yeah.” I sighed. “Yeah, I did.”
I pulled back his hair from his face to see his warm smile as he closed his eyes in bliss. With a soft grunt, I reached over and pulled off the blankets from my bed to cover the both of us on the floor. He took my wrist and draped it over himself.
“Hey.”
“Hm?” The short man asked snuggling happily with my captured arm.
“Your birthday’s coming up, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, why?”
“I was just asking, that’s all…”
“Koan, you know I don’t want anything…”
“Whatever…I heard you hinting around to Sadia earlier this week.” I said with a smirk.
“Do you not have anything better to do than to spy on me?”
“I have to admit, it’s become a hobby of mine.”
“K…?”
“Hm?”
“You’re pathetic.”
“Me? Pathetic? Who’s the one with a boner?” I snorted sliding my confined hand into his pants and between his legs.
“Nn…K…” Damaegus gasped.
He didn’t struggle as my hand moved with growing vigor. I ran my hand up and down slowly, teasing Damaegus with my slight touch. In fact, his hips moved against my hand, urgently pushing me to stroke harder. I moved closer wrapping a free arm around him and quickened my pace. Hearing his moans, I could feel myself getting a rise. No matter how much I craved for him to touch me, and I held my tongue, or, at least, metaphorically, as I ran it up his neck and along his jaw line. Damaegus was thoroughly enjoying himself as he wrapped his hands around my fist and began using his powers to further his pleasure. I could feel the soothing vibrations pulse through my hands straight to the tips of my fingers. He let out a moan that sounded like he was trying to say “kitten.” I simply ignored it as I moved faster. Upon hearing the short man’s whimpering pants, I loosened my grip to feel warm liquid on my hand.
“Oh…K…” He groaned letting go of my wet hand.
“You take back that pathetic comment?” I muttered wiping my hand on the crotch of his pants.
“If that’s my punishment for saying it, then, no…I will gladly take my punishment as long as it takes.” He said with a smile.
“You pervert…” I sighed before slapping a pillow on his happy face.

“Koan, what’s with all the booze?” Sadia asked inspecting the table of all the liquor. “Is this for everyone invited?”
“I suppose, but I know Damaegus can drink his weight in the stuff. I guess you can say it’s my birthday present to Mae.” I said with a smile. “All right, now let’s stop goofing off and finish getting ready.”
As expected, I was right about Damaegus and the drinks. He was smashed by the end of the party and was getting a bit too friendly with me in front of all the guests. With a way too friendly grope from the drunken healer, I decided it time for bed.
With some reluctance, I helped the short man up the stairs. He wasn’t shy about draping his entire body on me as I literally carried him to our room.
“Happy birthday, Mae.” I said breaking the awkward silence.
He only grinned drunkenly up at me.
“Ya’ve toll meh that earlier…” Damaegus pointed out.
I led him slowly to the room as he swaggered up the stairs and leaned his unsteady weight against me. When we reached the door, he took hold of both sides of my shirt collar and fell against the door. My face was only inches from his as he chuckled stupidly. He was laughing at my blushing face.
“Damaegus…no—“
He jerked stoutly against my shirt and forced me into a kiss. Had there not been a party going on just downstairs, I would have let him have his way right there, but I knew better.
“Damaegus! Get a grip. Geez…” I pushed him away as I put my head down to unlock the door.
“Heh…ya’re blushin’…” The short man smiled.
“Get in here before you make yourself into a bigger fool!” I jerked him in by his shirt.
“Ooo!! Alone time with Kitten.” He sang falsetto as he bounced onto the bed.
“Don’t call me that.”
“C’mere, you.” Damaegus slurred as he finally stopped his foolishness to rest back on his elbows as he made his worst attempt of looking sexual. He gestured with his finger for me to sit by him and smiled slyly.
“Damaegus, what?” I obeyed as I turned to look down at him.
“Ya’re…SO sexy.” He said shaking his head as if he were disgusted.
“I’m sorry?”
“You have an awesome ass, too.”
“Um, Mae, maybe you shouldn’t yell so loudly.” I said covering my drunken friend’s mouth. He closed his eyes and rested his head on the bed. For a moment, I thought he had passed out, but alas, I knew I was wrong when I felt his face cuddling on my backside and then, squeezing it for good measure. “Damaegus! Give it a rest, you hornball!” I snapped jumping to my feet.
“You like it, Kitten.” Damaegus laughed. “Look at ya’re face!”
I knew my face was still red. It was burning in embarrassment, not only for me but for Damaegus. He was making a total fool of himself. Not that I didn’t like it, but I knew I wouldn’t hear the end of it if I took advantage of the situation.
“Mae, let’s just get you to bed, all right?”
I leaned over him shadowing his entire body. I put a hand on each side of him, not allowing him to move. Again, he leaned up on his elbows casually as our faces were only inches from each other. I only wanted one thing before I put him to bed…
“We’re gonna kiss…aren’t we?” Damaegus whispered as he looked up at me. For a moment, those blue eyes almost seemed sober.
“Well, we were…until you opened your mouth.”
“What’s wrong with that…?” He asked closing his eyes, waiting patiently for his goodnight kiss.
I sighed in defeat and kissed him. Obviously, one kiss was not enough as Damaegus wrapped his arms around my neck and running his boot up my leg. Losing my balance, I fell on top of him with a grunt. I was committed to getting up, but Damaegus used my only weakness. Relaxing vibrations suddenly began to buzz through my head. Damaegus’ healing touch sent me somewhere I couldn’t describe and unable to object to any resistance. I sighed softly as our lips separated to rest myself on his chest as he continued moving his less than normal dexterous fingers.
“Oh…Mae…” I moaned weakly raising my head up to speak. “Damaegus…please, as much as I love this…stop for…for just a sec.”
He reluctantly obeyed. I smoothed back my jumbled hair to look at his smile.
“Mae, any other time I would gladly partake in…in this, but— I don’t want this to be the way you remember our first…time.”
“Tired already, Kitten?” He wasn’t even listening.
“Stop calling me that…”
“But it suits you. You purr like a little kitten when I touch you…like this.” He smiled as his hand roamed downward into my pants.
The sudden burst of power was something I could hardly explain. It was the total and absolute opposite of extreme agony. I had never felt anything like it before then. I collapse on his chest as his other hand rested back on my head to continue its massage. Movement seemed impossible except when Damaegus moved me. He pulled me closer as we kissed. Damaegus could only chuckle as my lips tickled him. I held his head in my hands as my kisses grew more voracious. My plans of getting to bed earlier flew out the window. The last thing I could remember was the heavy clunk of his boots and mine falling to the floor…

“Oooh...” I moaned rubbing my numb forehead. Damaegus definitely over did it…in several places.
Morning light was seeping into the room as I opened my eye to see the disarray in the floor. Clothes, shoes and random blankets were thrown to the floor in maddened chaos it seemed. I smirked to myself as I looked over at Damaegus, who was sprawled out on the floor, naked. He seemed comfortable enough, but for his own sake, I lazily tossed a blanket over him to spare him the embarrassment.
I laid there in the bed until a quivering hand gripped the top of the bed. Damaegus pulled himself up to rest his chin close to my face. He didn’t seem too happy with waking up.
“Morning, Mae.”
“Ech…I noticed.” He said hoarsely rubbing his head. “I can’t feel my hands.”
“Heh. You’re better off than me. I can’t feel my—“
“Gah! I don’t even want to know…at least, not this early.” He said with an embarrassed smile.
I returned with a smile as he kissed my cheek before getting to his feet. The blanket fell to the floor for a moment until Damaegus quickly snatched it up. He looked down at me in a mortified state.
“Don’t look at me like that, Mae.” I said taking his hand.
“You didn’t…” He indicated as he sat down beside me.
“No.” I said with a sigh. The healer let out a sigh as well before I continued. “You did, though.”
“Wha-what?!” He yelped drawing back from me like a dirty pair of underwear. “B-but I don’t do the top—“
“Obviously, you do.” I said with a sheepish smile.
“Oh, K. I’m so sorry! Did I hurt you?” He wailed holding my head and cuddling it to his chest.
“Mae! I’m OK!” I said reassuringly as Damaegus continued to pet my head.
“Oh, my poor kitten…” He whispered as he nuzzled his nose in my mussed hair.
“Stop calling me that…” I groaned giving up in frustration.
No matter how many times I told Damaegus to desist in calling “kitten,” my protests were happily ignored. As much as I hated being babied, I knew it made Damaegus happy. And the longer we were together, the more willing he showed such affection, that is, until Morley came to town…

“K, guess who’s in town?” Damaegus burst into the room with a look of sheer joy on his face. I watched as he bounced onto his bed letting out a dreamy sigh.
“I dunno…I’m supposing you do.” I answered.
“The Head Mage has come for a visit!” He announced clasping his hands together.
I just nodded as I went back to my study book. Ever since that we were together, Damaegus had been acting more lively and, dare I say, flaming.
“I heard he had quite a lot of experience with healing. Maybe he can show me some techniques I haven’t perfected yet…” Damaegus continued.
“Mae, there’s nothing he can’t teach you that you haven’t already mastered.” I said trying to hide my annoyance.
“He must have traveled the world with his overwhelming talent…” Damaegus hadn’t even heard me. “I’ll be back later, K. I’m going to see if I can get a meeting with him.” With that, he was gone.
I closed my book in frustration. My anger seethed as I tried to put my mind to other things. The mage was just in town temporarily, and Damaegus was just excited to have someone to relate to for a short time. It was nothing to get irate about…

“Oh, I can’t wait…I have an entire afternoon tomorrow to learn from a master.” Damaegus grinned as he lay back on his bed.
Damaegus had only been gone for a few hours to return with even more energy to burn. Unfortunately, night had fallen, and I dreamed of nothing more than to stop hearing about this Head Mage and get some sleep. The short man had finally forced me to make him sleep in his own bed.
“Hm…great.” I muttered as I tried once again to get to sleep.
“I heard he’s really young for a Head Mage. I think, he’s…thirty-three, I think. I wish tomorrow would get here.” He continued.
“Maybe the day would get here faster if you went to sleep, Mae…” I growled.
“I can’t sleep!”
“Then, shut up! I can certainly do enough for the both of us.” I snapped before covering my head with a pillow.
“Oh, sorry, K.” He finally went silent only to loudly roll around in his bed the rest of the night.
I already hated this mage, and I had yet to meet him…

The day lingered on as I watched Damaegus at the mirror. He tied his white hair back and pinned it up to concealed under his black bandana only to disapprove and try again. It was like watching a girl primping for a first date. That thought made me cringe and finally, go back to my lunch that was awaiting me downstairs.
I sat down to have Sadia join me with her own plate.
“Hey, Koan. I see you didn’t get much.” She pointed at the lone sandwich on my plate before eating a forkful of her own food.
“I’m not that hungry.”
“That’s news to me. Usually, you get as much food as you can carry!”
I just frowned at her before pushing my plate away. She shrugged as she continued devouring her lunch.
“Oh, hey, Damaegus! Lookin’ good!” Sadia waved suddenly.
I looked over to see Damaegus hastily coming down the stairs, looking just the same as before; his hair pinned up under the bandana. I didn’t know why he bothered…
“Hey, guys.” He greeted us as he sat down. “I’m starving. You two already have lunch, I guess?”
I just nodded as Sadia voiced her answer.
“Oh, is anyone going to eat this sandwich? Thanks.” He took it without anyone’s consent.
“Your welcome.” I muttered before taking a sip of my tea.
“Hello all! I am looking for Gus the Healer, and I have heard he resides in this establishment.” A burly man announced after he entered the inn.
I looked up at the deep voice that had spoken to see why Damaegus was so crazy with excitement in meeting the Head Mage. He was perfectly fine-chiseled from head to toe. I could only tell by his skin-tight shirt and the way he carried himself. With a nasty taste in my mouth, I mentally shuddered as everyone as in the room stared at the mage with utmost adoration. I saw nothing to adore with the exception of his talent of catching everyone’s attention.
“That’s me!” Damaegus shot up, knocking over his chair, which landed perfectly on my foot.
I held back a yelp as I watched Damaegus straighten into a more professional manner.
“I mean, yes. I’m Gus.” He smiled before standing before the mage and happily shaking his hand.
My mouth dropped as he had actually used the one nickname he despised. He never in the entire time we knew each let me call him Gus. And here he was letting this strange man freely call him Gus without getting the slightest hint of annoyance but instead get a smile of pure joy when he addressed him. I knew it was to hide his true identity, so we wouldn’t be caught, but it still made my blood boil. Who was he to just waltz in and make friends with whoever he pleased? But my conscience forced me to stay quiet until Damaegus and the mage were out of earshot.
“Who does that guy think he is?!” I growled. I crossed my legs to nurse my sore foot as I continued muttering curses to myself.
“The Head Mage.” Sadia answered. “Why?”
“Nothing. I just don’t like him.”
“Oh, I see now.”
“See what? There’s nothing to see…”
“Someone’s jealooouuusss.” She sang.
“Whatever…Think what you will. He’ll be back.” I muttered putting my head down trying to hide the redness in my face.
“Good boy. There’s no reason to pick a fight. Besides, you would probably lose anyway.” Sadia said. She took a drink of her water to look at my crimson face glaring at her.
“Sadia, you’re just feeding the fire if you don’t shut your trap.”
“Hey, I’m jealous, too! That mage is a quite a catch, whoever gets him.” She said with a sly smile. “You make sure to keep your friend in line, all right?” With that, she said farewell and went off to run her errands.
I grunted my disgust as I was left on my own. My stomach growled its own discord. In false hope, I pulled my plate back towards to see Damaegus had cleared it clean. With a frustrated sigh, I decided to see what this Head Mage was all about.

“I’m sorry, sir, but Morley is out at the moment. He’s requested that he has no visitors.” I was stopped dead in my tracks at the mage’s temporary quarters at the edge of town.
“Well, when can he be available?” I asked through gritted teeth and crossed arms.
“Not sure. He said he didn’t want any distractions today. You should try back tomorrow.”
“Argh! This is…” I walked away trailing off in incoherent curses.
Out of anger and aggravation, I decided to redo the stairs and paint all the barstools with four layers of paint. If I was to be alone all day, I felt like I should, at least, be useful.

“Oh, Koan, he is so smart.”
“And I’m not?”
“And for such a talented man, he even has time to keep in shape. I mean, have you seen those muscles?”
“Damaegus, as much as you enjoy rubbing all my faults into the ground, I really don’t care to hear about it.” I growled as Damaegus pulled off his shirt getting ready for bed.
“Oh, K, don’t be such a grouch. He’s only here for a few more days.”
Again, he had ignored nearly everything that came out of my mouth. As much as I wanted to choke the life out of Morley, I wanted to do twice over to Damaegus for not realizing my anger.
“Night, K.”
I didn’t answer.

With the third day passing, Damaegus was still clinging to the mage like a schoolgirl. I could only bite my tongue as I would randomly see them walking along side by side.
“That jerk hasn’t done anything except steal Damaegus for himself!” I barked slamming down my plate to sit beside Sadia.
Sadia jumped at my sudden outburst before picking fork back up. I slouched into my chair to hover over my food. Since Damaegus had abandoned me, I felt no urge to eat. The smell gave me a bad taste in my mouth, close to the same taste when I first saw Morley.
“Well, Morley has heard Damaegus is quite a prodigy, like the healer who killed the prince…”
I nearly choked before looking at Sadia.
“You…you know?”
“Know what? Oh, that’s he’s Damaegus Lamar?” She asked casually. I made no move to confess to something that the girl may or may not know. “Sure! I didn’t realize it, at first, but I mean, c’mon. Damaegus isn’t a very common name. Had you not told me when we first met, I wouldn’t have really pay it any heed.”
“You’re not going…to turn him in, are you?”
“I already have.” She sighed bowing her head.
“Wh-what?! Why? He’s done nothing but helped everyone in this town!” I shouted.
“Koan! You have to understand that it’s for everyone safety! He’s a killer!” She explained. “No one else knows except you and Morley.”
“Damaegus is not a killer!”
“He killed the prince!”
“I’m the prince!”
Sadia looked at me as if I was totally insane.
“Do you actually think it’s a coincidence that my name is Koan, and everyone thinks Damaegus killed the prince who also happens to be name Koan…?”
“Well, Koan is kind of a common name around these parts.”
“Argh! I got to find Damaegus and get out of here.” I said getting to my feet and knocking over my chair. “Before people like you run him down. I guess this is hospitality for you…”
“Koan! His punishment will only worsen if you get involved!”
“And if it does…yours will triple in agony.” I hissed before rushing out to find the healer.
“Koan! He’s a bounty hunter. Morley will take you out if he feels you’re in the way.” Sadia ran out to follow me.
I ignored her calls and broke into a run.

“MAE!” I roared seeing him laughing happily with Morley.
He looked up in surprise to see me panting from the long run.
“K?” He got to his feet and hastily came to look up at me in concern.
“We…we have to get out of here. Now…”
“Wh-what? But Morley was just telling—“
“Morley’s no mage; he’s a bounty hunter. He’s here to—“
I was cut off by the sound of Sadia’s voice.
“Mor, take him! Koan knows!!” She yelled as tears ran down her face.
Morley seemed to like hearing these words as a smile spread slowly across his face. He rose to his feet and readjusted his jacket for good measure. Obviously, he wasn’t worried about his prey getting away. As I watched him move closer, fear suddenly came over me. Damaegus would be gone forever. I would be alone for the rest of my cursed life. It felt like a ball of frozen iron had dropped into the pit of my stomach. That was when I pushed Damaegus behind me.
“You’re not taking him without a fight.” I growled tightening my fists ready for a fight. He noticed his predicament and only smirked at me.
“You have no chance against me. So, back down.” Morley said before looking at the woman coming at him. “Sadia!! Tell your friend to back down.”
My eyes widened to look at Sadia wheezing to stop just yards from us. She rested her hands on her legs as she began to sob. Something wasn’t right.
“I’m…sorry, Koan. I can’t hide it from you any longer.” The distraught woman whispered as she straightened herself to look at me. “Morley is taking Damaegus back to his father…” With that, she stepped in close to Morley and took hold of his burly arm as she cried softly into his muscles.
“That’s right, Cyclops.” Morley frowned as he pulled a sharpened knife from his sleeve. “It’s a pity the prince couldn’t be here to see his justice served.”
“You…you’re a traitor…Both of you.”
With lightening reflexes, the bounty hunter pushed the girl to the side and knocked my feet out from under me. I wasn’t able to get up. He planted his foot on my head.
“You may call me what you wish…but never call my wife a traitor.” Morley said shoving my face deeper into the dirt.
“W-wife…?” I grunted.
“Koan…I…”
“Sadia, don’t bother. He’s too thick-headed to listen. Besides, what’s the point in apologizing to a dead man?” He interrupted her sternly as his foot became heavier and heavier.
I could no longer struggle. If he was to kill me, there was nothing to stop him. The familiar blackness began to slowly creep in as he suddenly lifted his heavy foot.
“Pl-please, Mor…don’t kill him. He’s only—“ I heard a faint voice beg.
But the hand holding a dagger to my neck did not obey. As the blackness swallowed me, I heard the cry that always tugged at my heart. I opened my eye weakly to see Morley shove his knife into Damaegus’ shoulder. As much as I wanted to protect him, I had failed miserably. With my last memory being of defeat, I died.

“…maegus.” I rolled over in my sleep to realize I wasn’t on the ground anymore. “Oooh…my arm…” A sudden sharp pain exploded in my shoulder.
The pain ceased me from speaking as I looked up to see Sadia.
“Please…don’t make any sudden movements.” She whispered. “Morley’s driving us back to your home.”
I wanted to choke the life out of her, but the pain ceased to recede.
“Morley doesn’t believe me when I said you’re immortal. He only took your body so not to draw more attention.” She explained quietly as the wagon jumbled on the darkened and unknown road back to my dreaded home. “Koan…?
I ripped off my shirt to see why I was in so much pain. I should have healed. The agony was beginning to become unbearable as I shakily inspected my trembling arm. There was nothing, nothing but agony. I fell back on my resting place unable to take sitting up anymore.
“Koan, what’s wrong?”
“He’s…he’s hurt Damaegus.” I grunted as I gripped tightly to my shoulder.
“What? But…” Sadia began, but a look of concern spread on her face as she saw the pain I was in. “All right…hold on.” With that, she crept out to the front of the wagon where Morley was driving the horses, from behind the dark curtain.
“Go ahead…take him in the back. He won’t talk.” I heard Morley’s gruff voice say.
As quickly as she left, Sadia appeared again dragging a short, weak man with her. With gentle pulling, she led him to the small bed just across from me. I watched his detached expression as he sat on the bed.
“Here, D. Drink this…” Sadia said handing a bottle of something I hadn’t noticed before.
He shook his pale head weakly.
“Damaegus, the poison will kill you if—“
“I don’t—“
Sadia pushed him down on the bed and forced it down his throat. Too weak to struggle, he took it. She huffed sadly as she threw to bottle to the floor in frustration. Wiping her face with her hands, she shook her head.
“I’m sorry, Damaegus. You may think I’m a traitor…but I all I know is that I have to stand by the man I love. He’s all I have.” She said straining to keep control of her voice. “Now…get some rest. The pain will be dulled in a few minutes.” With that, Sadia drew back the curtains again and went to join her husband’s company.
I let out a grunt as I quickly and painfully made for Damaegus. I fell to my knees to see his pained face. He opened his eyes. The brilliant blue I always saw when he looked up at me was gone. Nothing was left but a deadened look of total defeat. As pain from my arm and Damaegus’ look enveloped me, I sank my head onto the bed close to tears.
“K…” Damaegus whispered as he placed fevered hand on my cold one. I looked up to see his eyes brimming with tears. With a painful sigh, I joined him in the small bed to hold him in my arms. “Kitten, I’m…I feel like I’m dying…”
My heart stopped for a moment as I heard his whispered confession. I wasn’t sure he was telling me this out of his depression or if he really meant it. I was too afraid to ask. I didn’t want to know.
“We’ll get through this, Mae…” I said kissing the top of his head. I felt like I was lying. “I’m so sorry I couldn’t protect you…”
“We’ve been away for so long, K…I think you did fine…” He explained.
“Mae…?”
“Hm?”
“Why won’t you…you put your arms around me?”
“…I can barely move.”
He was right. His entire body was fevered and limp. I could only imagine how he was able to make it to the bed. I pulled him away to see what damage Morley had done. Damaegus wore a simple hooded cloak and pants now. Hidden underneath the cloak, bruised skin with a deep gash tainted his shoulder, the exact spot where my pain throbbed.
“Mae…what happened?” I pulled back the cloak to see his wound.
“Morley ran me through with a knife…” He answered softly. “…to keep me from fighting. And then, he…he used his powers to turn my healing against me. I can’t…heal myself without having immense amount of pain. I’m sorry, K, that’s why you hurt so—Ooooh…”
I touched the puncture wound gently. Pain bloomed anew in my shoulder making me draw back. I held my shoulder tightly trying to rub the painful feeling out of it.
“S-sorry…I didn’t know it was so tender.” I grunted finally as my arm began to feel a little better.
“S’okay…” He sighed tiredly. For a long moment, Damaegus stared blankly up with his deadened eyes to watch the roof of the wagon. Then, he took a deep breath and closed his eyes.
“Mae…?”
“Hm?”
“You’re not dying…are you?”
“I don’t know…I’ve never been in so much pain.” He whispered.
“Damaegus…I-I don’t know what I’ll do…if…” I began but the tears began to fall.
“Kitten…” Damaegus’ voice broke as his warm arm touch my chest. “I won’t…leave you. Cross my heart…” He said before kissing my neck.
All I could do was hold him as he fell into a feverish sleep. Seeing Damaegus in such a defeated state scared the life out of me. It made me think all hope was lost. I was lost in my own worries as Sadia crouched back in.
“He’ll be OK, Koan…” I heard her say. “You need to get back where Mor left you.”
“He needs me…” I muttered clutching him closer.
“Please, Koan, I don’t want more trouble to come to you. You two have gotten this far…” She pleaded as she watched me nuzzle Damaegus’ sweating forehead. “I promise I won’t let them hurt him anymore than they already have…He’s this way to keep him under control.”
“Mae’s not dangerous…He wouldn’t hurt anyone.”
“He killed King Mort’s son, Koan.” Sadia said plainly.
“He didn’t…” I shook my head feeling his soft, white hair tickle my face.
“Koan, move or—“
I kissed my sleeping friend’s half-open lips and then, sat up to Sadia’s relief. With great reluctance, I dragged myself to where I had been lying. For a moment, I thought she muttered a thank you, but I turned my back to her.
My emotions were overwhelming me to tears. I feared for Damaegus. He had never become so hopeless before. Seeing those dead eyes made my heart jump. I tried to keep myself from hearing his weak voice admitting he felt like he would die. Nothing good would come of it if I kept reminding myself. I felt so empty, though, unable to hold him close.

“Here’s the accomplice, sire.” Morley’s voice spoke. With some persuasion from Sadia, the bounty hunter had covered my body with a thin sheet as we arrived at the palace. He still had no clue…
“I see…Well, let’s have a look at the bastard who’s brainwashed our White Healer.” Another voice growled above my head.
“Heh, I warn you, milords. He’s a cruel sight to be seen.” The bounty hunter muttered roughly patting my covered face.
I wanted to lay that idiot out flat. No matter, the time would come…
“I’m sure I’ve seen it all, Morley. You forget who I am, bounty hunter.” A familiar voice smirked before taking hold of the sheet. “Now, let’s stop dawdling around and see this monster you’ve taken care of.” With that, he tossed off the sheet to see his son glaring up at him.
“Monster, am I? I guess I got those traits from you, Father…” I growled.
My father nearly fell back in shock seeing his son had risen from the dead.
“It’s…it’s you.” The other man choked grasping his chest. I recognized him immediately as Damaegus’ father.
“Wha-what?! I thought I killed you!” Morley didn’t look as cocky as usual. His face was now three shades whiter as I slid off the table.
“Well, I guess you’re losing your touch....bounty hunter.” I frowned before turning back to the old men. “Now, if you know what’s good for you, you’ll let the prince talk to his father…” Morley frowned his discomfort but reluctantly took a step back.
“Now…tell me. Where is Damaegus?” I said taking hold of my father’s robes.
“I…I…” was all he could say as he stared in horror at my battle scars.
“You better speak, old man…”
“My son…What’s happened to you?” He whispered in a shaky tone as he gaped at my scarred face.
His sympathetic words hit me like a brick to the head. I shoved him away in frustration.
“Everything…because you can’t seem to be happy with what you have. You can’t even protect your own family.” I growled.
“And what about you? You didn’t even stay to lead your people…” Damaegus’ father stepped in on my father’s behalf.
“I died, Mavis.” I spoke loudly.
They both stared wide-eyed as it finally clicked.
“So, Damaegus was telling the truth…” Mavis grumbled with an aggravated sigh.
“Where is he?” I asked taking hold of Mavis this time.
“Why should I tell you? You’ve turned my son into a fruit. You think I’m going to promote this situation by allowing you to see him?” He laughed sarcastically.
Before his laugh ended, I threw him to the ground and pinned him with a foot to his neck. His laughing immediately stopped to be replaced with a look of horror.
“I have no problem killing you, right here and now.” I hissed putting weight to the old man’s neck. “But there’s something I don’t get…”
“Wh-what?” Damaegus’ father hoarsely whispered as he hands gripped tightly to my leg.
“Why did you want Damaegus alive?”
“He’s my…my only son.”
“Liar!!” I shouted threatening to crush his throat.
“Mavis!” My father shouted running to his aid.
“You make another move, and I’ll kill him.” I barked whipping around to give my father a fiery glare. He took a step back in fear before being shoved out of the way by Morley.
“I won’t stand here and let you threaten them, Koan!” Morley barked jabbing a finger in my direction. “I’m one of the most feared and powerful bounty hunters around, and I won’t hesitate to kill you again.”
I simply replied to his challenge with a hammer blow swing to the face. He fell flat on his back in surprise.
“Kill me all you want, I’ll just come back.” I muttered to the twitching bounty hunter on the floor. “Now, Mavis, you were going to tell me why you’re keeping Damaegus from me…”
“I…I was using him for his powers.” He quickly said in quivering fear.
“His powers…?”
“Y-yes, I…sent him away to hopefully become a White Healer. I was…going to use his powers…to become immortal.”
“What…?”
“Mavis and I agreed that since my son was murdered, we would find Damaegus and have Mavis as the next ruler in line…” My father suddenly spoke.
“You people…are nothing…but tyrants.” I managed to say lowering my head in shame.
“What about you, Koan? You tell us we’re tyrants, but who’s the one with eternal life?” My father asked accusingly.
“It wasn’t by my choice. Damaegus chose to out of the goodness of his heart. From then on, he’s been the only one I could trust. Obviously, trust in this family is out of the question.” I explained sternly. “He can’t even be loved by his own father unless he has some sort of sick use for him…”
“It’s for the good of the people…” Mavis choked. His face began to turn blue.
“You should have stopped wasting your time looking for him and took care of the ‘goodness of the people’ while you were still ahead.” I growled before crushing his neck.
“Mavis!!” My father bellowed as I stepped off of the lifeless man.
Before he realized what hit him, I knocked my father to the ground. He looked up at me fearing the same fate.
“You…of all people…after realizing how you’ve ruled all these years…you deserve to lose your kingdom. You deserve every nightmare you dream, every sickness you catch. But you certainly don’t deserve a quick death like Mavis…” I hissed looming over the king in a quiet rage.
“Son! Please, I did this all for you! This kingdom was to be yours!!” He pleaded.
“I don’t want it…”
“Koan, my son, you act like I’ve betrayed you. What have I done to deserve this treatment?”
“You let my mother die. You let me die. You let the people you call your own down. You’re nothing but a dictator craving for more, and you were just as eager to get your hands on Damaegus as Mavis.”
“But…but now, I have you to rule!”
“I told you, I don’t want it…”
“Just think, you could lead these people for as long as you wished.”
“I. Don’t. Want. It.”
“Koan, please—“
“He doesn’t fuckin’ want it!!” A fist flew out of nowhere to slam into my father’s face knocking him out.
I stumbled back in surprise to see Sadia panting beside me.
“I’m sorry I took so long, Baby…” She apologized to her bruised husband who was gawking in fear at the sight.
He only nodded. Sadia let out a depressed sigh before resting beside him to pet his swollen face. She pulled a small handkerchief from her pocket and dabbed gently only to have Morley grimace in pain. Sadia must have seen something frightening to suddenly throw her arms around the bounty and cry softly into his chest. I could only watch in my own grief.
These two were nothing more than pawns to my father. They were both only trying to get by and following orders. As much as my pride didn’t want me to, I had to have their help.
“Morley…” I gloomily walked over to his side and squatted in front of him.
“Wh-what do you want?” He stammered trying to sound tougher than he looked.
“I know we have our differences…and we absolutely hate each other…but I need your help.”
He frowned his disapproval before Sadia looked up wiping her eyes.
“What is it?” Sadia asked. She looked like she barely had a blink of sleep. I was beginning to feel wherever she had been, it had to do with Damaegus…
“I need someone to take care of my father…He’s no longer fit to rule. This kingdom is falling apart at the seams as it is.” I said hoarsely looking down trying to avoid the bounty hunter sharp, green eyes.
“I’ll do it…but I want one thing straight, Cyclops.”
I felt the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. He had some nerve calling me that after I had already punched him out once.
“I never said I hated you.” He said simply as he got to his feet. “I may not like you, but you took care of my Sadia while I was looking for your…Mae. I think I’m just in saying I will help you.” He explained holding out his hand.
I looked down at his open hand for a moment before seizing it in a handshake. The bounty hunter cracked a smile before turning to the problem at hand.
“What I should do with him?” Morley asked squatting down to inspecting the unconscious king.
“I don’t care…just as long as the people know he’s no longer their ruler.” I grumbled.
“All right…I’ll think of something. Maybe I’ll throw him to the masses. Let them decide…” The bounty hunter’s smile widened.
“Fine by me…Now, I have to find Damaegus. I guess with both of them out of commission I’ll have to find him myself.”
“Koan.” Sadia suddenly spoke.
“Huh?”
“I’ll…I’ll take you to him.”
“Is…is that where you’ve been?” I asked now thoroughly worried.
She nodded solemnly before resting her hand on my shoulder.
“Koan, he’s…he’s not coping well with what Mavis and Mortimer have done to him. “C’mon, let’s go…”

“Mae?” We finally had entered a darkened room to find Damaegus laying lifeless on the table. I ran to his side and took his now cold hand. “Damaegus…?”
He slowly opened his eyes to see me looking down at him. A weak smile came across his face as he squeezed my hand.
“K…You found me…” He whispered happily.
I could only hold back my tears as I stroked the healer’s cold face.
“I’m here to get us away from this hell hole…” I managed to say.
Damaegus didn’t speak as I took him in my arms. He seemed to be lighter than usual as I carried him out of the room.
“Is…he still…?” Sadia asked as I met her at the doorway.
“Of course…” I said hearing Damaegus words ringing through my head again. Those words that made my blood go cold…
“I feel like I’m dying…”
I blinked away my tears to watch Damaegus shallow breathing. Surely, he wasn’t…
“Sadia…”
“Hm?” She answered looking at the healer in my arms.
“He’s…he’s not dying, is he?”
“Koan…I…I think he is…” She said as new tears began to brim.
I stopped dead in my tracks to look down at Damaegus. She watched as the conversation ensued.
“Damaegus?”
The short man head perked up slowly to look up at me.
“You’re…you’re dying, aren’t you?”
He let out a tired sigh before placing his hand on my chest. For a moment, I thought maybe he would laugh, but he didn’t.
“Yes…”
That one simple word had me on my knees. Damaegus gasped as we suddenly hit the floor.
“Koan!” Sadia ran to my side.
“Sadia…Go find Morley. I need to talk to Mae…”
She seemed reluctant to go, but she saw Damaegus nod weakly and obeyed.
“Damaegus, you can’t die…not now.” I said stroking his pale face.
“I’m…sorry, Koan…”
“I won’t let you!!” I held him close to my chest in a tender hug. “You can’t leave me after all we’ve been through…”
“Kit…ten…” was all he whispered.
Then, all of a sudden, his body felt a little heavier. I pulled him away to see his head roll forward and his tired eyes finally closed.
“Mae? Mae! MAE!!” I shouted at the limp man in my arms.
He didn’t answer back. His head rolled heavily to the side showing his lifeless eyes. I cried out his name again as I held him to my chest. Holding tightly to his loose hand, I stroked it against my face staining it with tears. He was gone, and there was absolutely nothing I could do except hold his body and cry.
“Oh, Mae…My Mae, don’t leave me…” I sobbed nuzzling his cool face. “Don’t leave me…you…promised…”
I stroked his long white hair as I rocked him in my distraught state. My cries echoed through the night. I was lost without him. He was the one who I wanted to be with…forever, but I always had to remind myself he had a weakness that I did not. He could die, and he proved it to me now as I picked him up and made my way to the river.
The last time I had been at that river was with Damaegus, when we were saying our goodbyes as he was leaving for training. Now, we were saying our very last farewell…
I laid him close to the water’s edge as I tried to compose myself. Failing miserably, I bent down and kissed his lips one last time. When I lifted my head to look at his face, I sank into his chest with fresh tears pouring out. Not knowing what else to do, I sobbed into his shirt as people from nearby began to gather. Unable to speak, I only sat there with my head resting on my dead friend’s chest.
“Mae…why did you have to…to go…” I whispered as I clutched tightly to his hand. I wished for nothing more than to give his power back, to feel his healing touch one last time.
“What’s happened?” I could hear the people coming closer for a better look.
“That man…he’s dead?”
“Leave us ALONE!” I yelled in fury as I rose up finally. I got to my feet to see nearly a dozen people had gathered behind me. “This isn’t a side-show.”
They all stared at my tear-stained face as I began to fall apart again. I sank to my knees afraid to turn back to the body behind me. With a pathetic sob, I covered my face with my hands and screamed. I truly wanted to die. Nothing else could release me from the misery.
“Koan?”
I looked up to see the man that started the mess. Morley towered over me with a worried frown and his muscled arms folded promptly over his chest. As much as I wanted to lash out, all my energy seemed to have been sucked away the moment Damaegus’ heart ceased to beat. Was this how he felt every time I had died? I could only imagine his pain was much less since he knew I would always come back.
“Koan…I—Mmm…I don’t know what to say…” He said humbly as he squatted down in front of me. For a moment, the bounty hunter just simply stared at me in my state of turmoil before blowing out a sigh. “He had you wrapped around his little pinky, didn’t he?”
His words only worsened the pain in my heart as I held back another sob. He wasn’t helping the situation.
“He was crazy for you, too…” He said lowly. “Even when I first met the little guy. You were all he would talk about.”
“He’s…he was…all I had…” I muttered between sobs.
“Here…” Morley handed me a handkerchief. “You’re a mess…”
I blew my nose with no modesty.
“Damaegus never told you…” A new voice came up from behind Morley.
Sadia squatted down beside him as she put a loving hand on his shoulder. She smiled sadly at my state before speaking again.
“K, Damaegus will always be with you…” She said before petting my wet face. “He told me so many times he would find a way to be with you, even if it was just to be your friend. You shouldn’t cry, Koan. It would kill him to see you like this.”
“He IS DEAD!” I shouted in frustration. I turned back to limp body behind and crawled to it. “He’s dead…and there’s nothing I can do…It’s all my fault he’s gone…” I cried again resting my head on the warm shirt I had clutched so desperately earlier. “I wasn’t there to protect him…I can’t go on…Oh, Mae…Mae…” I sobbed as covered my face in the familiar warmth of Damaegus’ chest.
“Oh, Kitten…” A whispered voice spoke as a warm hand weakly rested on the back of my head. “Crying doesn’t suit you…”
I looked up to see a sheepish Damaegus roll his head to the side and smile weakly at me. For a moment, I thought I was dreaming, but when the short man pushed himself up to sit, I knew I wasn’t. I couldn’t move. It felt like my heart had been in a vice for what seemed an eternity and now, released from the pressure, was beating rapidly against my ribcage.
“I’m sorry I made you worry, Koan…” He said before hugging me. “But the first time to die is quite painful…I didn’t want you to know. You went through it, and I nearly went insane knowing you hurt so…because of me. Please, K, forgive me for not telling you.”
I couldn’t speak. The fact that my dead friend was now alive and well again kept my voice from coming forth. All I could do was return the hug with an embrace that I never wanted to end. I kissed his warm neck as we sat there by the riverside crying on each other’s shoulders.

“It’s like a moth to a flame. The living soul is the light whilst the dying soul is the moth drawn to its mate’s beacon.” Damaegus said softly as he rested his head in my lap.
“Oh, I guess I can see that.” Morley said as he looked up at the inn’s only lamp to see several moths fluttering in a panic around the light.
“When I revived Koan, the spell binded our souls. It’s like a marriage of our spirits. We are unable to die unless we die together.” The short man explained holding tightly to my hand.
“And Sadia knew all this?” The bounty hunter asked in awe.
“Mm hm…I only told her, because she was my rock when Koan and I were at odds. I knew she wouldn’t tell anyone, because of the simple fact that I could never get even a hint of what she and Koan would discuss.” He explained with a smile. “Her stubbornness is what kept me safe. She has helped me in so many ways that I can’t thank her enough. But you must have your hands full with such a determined woman.”
“You should know. You’re lying in the lap of the most stubborn man I know!” Morley laughed as I frowned at his comment.
Everything Damaegus was explaining I was hearing for the first time. As much as it hurt me that he kept such important matters from me, I could understand why he would. The fact that he gave up his powers to have a chance to be with me, left me a little unnerved but quite happy he made the decision he chose in the end.
“Well, I’m going to leave you two and go find my wife. I think she was running off the locals who followed us from the river.” The bounty hunter said with a sigh as he got to his feet.
“Morley?”
“Hm?”
“Whenever you and Sadia make plans for a baby, you know who to call.” Damaegus smiled seeing Morley’s reddening face.
“Ehehe…I’m not sure when that’ll be. But don’t you yell at your patients?”
Damaegus nodded happily.
“Well, I’ll make sure to look you up when the time comes.” He said before waving goodbye to us and shutting the door.
Before the door barely clicked, Damaegus rose up from his resting place to jump into my arms and kiss me with a hungry open mouth. The kiss was a welcome surprise as I rested my hands on his waist. He rested his hands in my lap and let their presence be known by using his powers as I always enjoyed.
“I thought he would never leave…” The healer sighed as he pulled away to take a breath.
I only smiled as he pulled off his shirt to cup his hands around my neck. He leaned in to kiss me again. The healer let out a happy moan before falling into me. I lost my balance to fall back and have him resting on top of me.
“Oh, Koan…Tell me you want me.” He whispered in my ear as he stroked the sides of my face with his thumbs.
I opened my mouth to speak but all that came was my breath on his neck. He rose up to frown and look down at me.
“K? What’s wrong? You haven’t said a word since…since I came back.” He asked brushing back my hair from my eyes.
I could only shrug.
“You’re angry with me, aren’t you?” Damaegus asked quietly before embracing me. “Oh, K, please don’t be mad at me!”
I pulled him away to show him I wasn’t angry. With a sniffle, the healer wiped his nose and gave me a weak chuckle.
“So…you’re not mad?” He asked sheepishly.
I shook my head with a half-smile.
“Then, what’s wrong with your voice?” The short man asked pulling me close again.
I shrugged again before wrapping my arms around him.

“Eat this!” Damaegus shoved a bowl of steaming soup in front of me. “I made it myself.”
A week had past since the last encounter with my father, and the both of us had decided to travel to better places and meet new people. This time, though, we had no worries of bounty hunters coming after us. That was all behind us. Our only concern, or should I say Damaegus’ concern, was getting my voice back. He obviously thought his soup would do the job. I looked down nervously at the green liquid in the bowl. Never had I known Damaegus could make soup, let alone cook. Putting my head down, I took a deep whiff to pull back gasping for air. The smell nearly burnt the hairs out of my nose. I gave Damaegus a look of utter horror before glancing back down at the concoction in my bowl.
“What?” The healer asked. “Oh, c’mon, Koan. It’ll help get your voice back.”
I raised my eyebrows in suspiciousness.
“I will force it down your throat if don’t start eating.”
I only gave him a grin as I crossed my arms.
“Fine!” He pushed back and walked over to loom beside me. With a quick jerk, he took my spoon and scooped up some green soup. Then, he took hold of my chin and shoved the spoon into my mouth.
I grimaced in disgust at the taste. It burnt my taste buds and scorched my throat all the way down. I shoved the bowl as far as I could and stubbornly covered my mouth before Damaegus could get another spoonful in my mouth.
“You don’t like it?” Damaegus stuck out his bottom lip seeing my reaction.
I shook my head furiously, hands still firmly protecting my mouth.
The short man stood for a moment until he burst out crying. I tried to protest and tell him he had better talents than simply cooking, but I remembered my voice had yet to come back.
“You hate me!!” He wailed and slumped to the floor in misery.
I squatted to the floor with him and seized his arms. He looked up at me to see me frowning and shaking my head in disagreement. Damaegus sniffled before resting his forehead on my chest.
“Then, what’s wrong with you? We’ve tried everything…” He muttered.
I could only sit there as Damaegus continued the one-sided conversation.
“I give up…If your voice is going come back, it will surely come back on its own. Maybe all you need is some rest.”
Sleep was the last thing I wanted. Damaegus had been by my side trying his best to find some way for me to speak again, but, now I could understand why he would give up. I couldn’t say he hadn’t tried his hardest. Damaegus deserved a reward…
I rested my hand on the small of his back and let it slowly roam downward.
“K…” Damaegus sighed. He seemed reluctant until I pushed up to my feet bringing with me. I ignored the tone in his voice and picked him up, taking him tightly in my arms. “Koan! Are you that determined for entertainment tonight?” He asked now smiling happily with his arms wrapped securely around my neck as he was treated like a newly-wed bride.
I only smiled slyly as he carried him to the bed.
“Don’t expect too much from me. I’m dead tired from all this travel—“
I cut him off with a hungry kiss. I took no time in pulling off my pants and throwing off my shirt. Damaegus saw my eagerness and let me yank off his pants before kissing him once again. I moved my hand down his back, over the curve of his hip and rump to slip in a finger. He let out a muffled moan as I slid another finger in. With a soft grunt, I felt the healer working his magic as his gentle hand stroked me. I pulled him closer finally pulling my other hand out from within him to push him farther back into the bed. With a deep kiss, I draped his legs over my shoulders and pushed myself in. The healer let out another groan of pleasure as I held tightly to his thighs and thrust slowly.
“Kitten…Oooh…” He sighed gripping tightly to the sheets. I was happy to see he was enjoying himself. I didn’t want him to feel left out… “Kitten…I’m not made of glass…” Damaegus suddenly muttered noticing my pace was not fast enough for him yet.
I frowned at his impatience and decided to oblige him. Slowly, I leaned forward until Damaegus’ legs were sandwiched between my stomach and his own. He let out grunting chuckle as I nibbled playfully at his neck. My thrusts became quicker and rougher to erase the smile from the healer’s face. He let out another grunt as he took hold of the sides of my back. I could feel his fingernails dig into my skin as he was coming close to climax. Resting my head on his chest, I wrapped my arms around him feeling myself coming close.
“Aahh…Kit…ten…” Damaegus moaned closing his eyes in bliss. A moment later, I felt his warmth spread across my stomach as I pushed harder until…
“Ooooh…Mae…” I whispered after a long awaited release.
I fell off of him to let out a loud guttural sigh. The healer sat up in surprise to look down at his exhausted companion.
“Koan! Your voice…”
“Hn?”
“God, after you get what you want, you’re just deaf to the world, aren’t you?” He huffed plucking my thrown shirt from the head of the bed. Like a mother grooming her child, he wiped away the wetness from my stomach.
“But I have my voice back…” I said with a grin.
“And to think all you needed was a good fu—“
“Don’t talk that way, Mae…Such a sweet thing shouldn’t talk so dirty.” I said brushing a stray white lock of hair from Damaegus’ cheek. “Promise me, Shorty, that you’ll stay cute.” I said pulling him down beside me.
“I promise, Kitten…Cross my heart.” The healer smiled before letting out a sigh. “Almost nothing could make this better…” With that, he nuzzled under my chin to have me pondering.
“’Almost nothing’? What are you talking about?” I asked putting my arm around his shoulders.
“Nothing, Kitten…” The short man yawned before closing his eyes.
If there was one thing that little man could do, it was to have his way. Morley was right about one thing…I was happily wrapped around his little pinky, and I didn’t want it any other way…

The End