rough the underbrush. Curt's stride was steady, jarring Areli
urt set her down gently on a flat, sun-warmed bou
er, his back to them, scanning the tre
ng dramatically. She looked at Curt
voice steadier now. "To stop the bleeding. I can't ju
th a mixture of surprise and r
nging her legs over the edge of the
d through his hair. "Fine.
re a patch of weeds grew near the water. Curt fol
ere, but that wasn't the point. She spotted a thic
breath. This i
twist sideways. She let out a sharp yelp,
her inches before her face hit the ground. He pulled h
ou," he
-real ones this time, from the pain-welled up instantly. "It's my fault,"
ened. "Who
the part. She clamped a hand over her mouth, her eyes darting around
d of firewood nearby. His ears
"She mentioned someone named
d over, crouching in front of Areli.
wisting the hem of Curt's jacket. "I should
rdered, his voice
That I'll never be a real healer." She paused, letting a fresh wave of tears fall. "She takes my work and c
off, huggi
uckles were white. "That's abuse. That cla
, brave smile touched her lips. "It's fine. As long as
ion-hit both men like a punch to the gut. Brown looked away, a muscl
ve anything to scum li
ly brushing Curt's sleeve. "Thank yo
is throat, looking away, but his body shifted
cion replaced by a gruff sympathy
a shadow fell over her face. In the darkness, away from
. Hook, line
angling from his grip. He stopped, his sharp eyes taking in the
miss?" he
shrank back against the rock, the pi
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