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“He doesn’t need to stay the night. He’ll be fine. Just don’t let him get the dressing wet until I recheck it tomorrow.”

“Fine.”

I stood while the healer repeated herself to Feigrind. He got to his feet and nodded, thanking her politely. I didn’t care what she thought about me, but I was glad she was nice to Feigrind. I would’ve had to hurt her if she were cruel to him after what he’d just done for me.

We left together to head back to his tent. I felt an undertone of uneasiness stepping inside, but I shoved it down. I wasn’t going to cower just because I’d been attacked. I was fine.

A warm hand settled on my back. When I looked up at Feigrind, his expression was soft and understanding.

“You are safe now. I will protect you.”

My gaze dropped to the wrap on his chest. “Yes. But who will protect you?”

FEIGRIND

I was starting to think Simon understood more of our language than he was letting on. It hadn’t been obvious to me at first, but after the drokagorn, I noticed he hadn’t asked anyone for an explanation. I thought most would wish to understand why things happened, or at least the results. In the days since, I hadn’t seen him speak to anyone to ask. The only one he spoke to was Maman, and she hadn’t mentioned it.

After that night, I began paying closer attention when I spoke to him. It was subtle, but sometimes I noticed his face would twitch while listening to me, like he was holding back his reaction to what I’d said. The same happened when we were around others, and every now and then, he would react like everyone else would before smothering his response again.

I decided to test this a little. So I took Simon to see Maman again and had Uttin meet me so they could have their alone time. When I pulled him aside, he looked curious, raising an eyebrow at me.

“Do not question what I am about to say, yes?”

He nodded slowly. “Alright. Are we pranking someone?”

“Sort of. Just go with it.”

He was always down for a prank with me, so he smiled and nodded, raising his voice to be heard better by those around us. “How are you, brother? You look well.”

“Tired,” I replied with a frown.

Uttin tipped his head with faux concern. “Truly? Why? Do you not rest well?”

I shook my head solemnly. “No. My tribute snores. It is keeping me up each night.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Simon’s head whip up, but when I glanced in his direction, he dropped his gaze again, growling to himself under his breath.

Uttin patted my shoulder sympathetically. “That sounds worrisome. Perhaps you can ask around for something to block your ears at night?”

The longer we discussed Simon’s snoring, the more irritated he got, but it didn’t outright prove anything. I wanted to be certain, because if he’d waited this long to reveal he understood me, he probably kept it from me on purpose.

“It is not only that. He is also starting to smell. I understand he is attached to his clothes, but it is unpleasant.”

I had to fight off a grin when Simon’s mouth fell open in outrage. He looked ready to say something, but Uttin’s next comment ensured his reaction.

“Do you think he just does not notice? Perhaps he has always been a smelly person?”

“How dare you!” Simon screeched. In our tongue. Not his. I was right.

He launched to his feet, storming over to us, his body practically vibrating with fury as he stuck a finger in my face. “First of all, I do not snore! And second, I bathe daily! It’s not my fault I don’t have more clothes! You stole me from my home!”

I raised my eyebrows slowly. “Had you only asked, I would have gotten more for you.”

He threw his hands up, exasperated. “How would I do that when—” He froze, finally realizing we spoke the same language. Irritation flashed across his face, followed by realization. He narrowed his eyes at me.

“You said that on purpose to get a rise out of me.”

That time, I did not bother to hide my grin. I expected it when he stormed off, and Uttin and I shared a laugh over his reaction. I didn't expect him to come back so quickly. Nor did Iexpect the clay he smeared across my face in retribution for my prank. I blinked my eyes open, staring at him in shock. Even Uttin was silent, his mouth gaping. But Simon didn’t just bring enough for me. He turned to Uttin next. Uttin was fast, jumping out of the way, but that didn’t deter Simon. He lobbed the handful of clay and got Uttin in the face anyway.