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“What’s wrong?” I ask Reece.
“Thank you,” he says, so silently I almost can’t hear him.
“For what, brother?” I pull the pan from the burner and set it aside. Then I move to Reece and place my hand on his shoulder. “I haven’t done anything.”
“You aren’t treating me the way I deserve to be treated,” he says.
“Yes, I am.”
“Nah,” he shakes his head. “No one else would do this, you know. Everyone else...they’d have no trouble killing me for what I did, for what I tried to do.”
“Everyone deserves a second chance, Reece,” I tell him.
I know that more than anyone.
“I won’t let you down,” he says.
And I know right then that it’s more than just words.
It’s his promise to me.
It’s his oath.
And there’s nothing a dragon takes more seriously than that.
“Why don’t we sit down?” I say, finishing up plating the food. I hand one plate to Reece, take the other for myself, and then we sit down at the kitchen counter. The hand-stained stools are comfortable, but casual enough to put anyone who eats here at ease. He visibly relaxes as he reaches for his fork and takes his first bite.
“It’s good,” he says, surprised.
I smile. “Of course it’s good. Do you really think I would give you something that wasn’t completely perfect?”
He shrugs. “I haven’t had good food in a long time,” he tells me. “It reminds me of home.”
“That’s a compliment,” I tell him, passing him a glass of water. He takes it and chugs it. Then we finish our meal in silence. After we finish eating, Reece and I wash the dishes together and quietly put them away.
“Ready to see your room?” I ask. He nods, but doesn’t reply. We head back into the hallway and Reece grabs his bag. He doesn’t have much. We stopped by his quarters on the way over here so he could pack up his things. I was a little surprised when it turned out to be so little. He’s been here nearly half a year. I suppose I figured he would have accumulated more belongings by now.
Then again, maybe he was afraid to get comfortable.
We head back toward the front of the house where there’s a large stairway leading up. I motion for him to go first, but he hesitates, so I lead the way. I don’t want him to feel uncomfortable. The walls are lined with pictures of my family. Reece glances at them, but doesn’t ask about them, and for that, I’m instantly grateful.
I don’t mind talking about them.
It’s just that every time I do, a little piece of my heart cracks and breaks inside.
Sometimes I miss them so much it hurts. Sometimes I can make it almost through the entire day without thinking about the pain. Most of the time, I’m too busy with clan business to wallow in my own sadness, and that’s the one thing that seems to save me. That’s the only thing that keeps me sane right now.
At the top of the stairs, there’s another little hallway with two doors on each side. I head to the back left door and push it open.
“Here are you,” I tell him. “One guest room. Perfect for a weary traveler.”
He chuckles as he follows me into the room. Then he sucks in his breath.
“Wow, Wilson, are you sure? I mean, this is...”
“It’s fine,” I tell him. “Honestly, I should have invited you here a long time ago. Maybe if I had...”