Page 62 of The Prince's Sacrifice

Tor could only laugh. “I probably do.”

“I know,” she said matter-of-factly while opening the book.

This made Tor laugh harder, the feeling of weirdness dissipating. “All right. Thanks for that.”

“Sleep well,” she told him.

Tor did. He roused briefly when he felt someone else join him in the bed.

Pel pressed a kiss to the side of his head.

“Go back to sleep.”

Tor let out a tired noise of pleasure. Now that they were together in bed, they could be doing something more interesting, and… sleep wrapped around him once again.

When Tor woke, he was disoriented, but only briefly. The events of the last few days came back to him—at least the parts that he’d been conscious for. Belatedly, he realized that Pel had shaken him awake, his hand still on Tor’s shoulder. The light coming in through the window said it was still early.

The chair beside the bed was empty, so it seemed that Larexa had actually gotten to sleep in her own bed last night.

“I’m up,” Tor mumbled.

Pel leaned in and kissed him. “That’s why you’re all sleepy in bed, is it?”

Tor… didn’t really have an argument for that. “I’m almost functional?”

Pel smiled, though his expression was somewhat worried. “How are you feeling?”

“Much better than yesterday,” Tor assured him.

It mostly felt like all his insides belonged to him again, which was always a good thing.

“I’m glad,” Pel said softly. “We need to get going, I’m afraid.”

Tor tugged him closer. “You need to kiss me again. You owe me so much sex.”

Pel scoffed. “Excuse me? Who was unconscious for days? I think you will find that it’syouwho owesmeso much sex.”

Tor laughed. “Agreed. I’d like to deliver at the earliest opportunity. When do you think that will be?”

“When we’re no longer in Tond, hopefully,” Pel said, and Tor realized belatedly that there was tension in his whole body. “I’d like to avoid a confrontation with my father if we can help it.”

Both were very sensible answers, and Tor knew Pel was right. Forex wasn’t known for his even temper, and even if he was unlikely to harm Tor, he could forbid Pel from going, send guards with them, or, goddess forbid, decide to come himself.

Definitelybetter to get out before anyone noticed. So Tor let Pel help him rise from the bed. Thankfully, he was able to walk under his own power today, though he wouldn’t be winning any contests for agility or speed.

He sighed. “At this rate, hopefully I’ll be functional by the time we reach Nexa.”

Tor would definitely rather face his brother—and Fernila and Yomil—in the capital city when he was at his best.

“You’ll have lots of time to rest,” Pel reminded him sternly. “You’ll be sitting there, after all, while we do all the work.”

Tor stuck his tongue out, making Pel laugh. A warm glow blossomed in Tor’s chest. Pel being comfortable enough to tease him was the best thing ever.

Pel had apparently gotten everything else ready, so there was nothing to do except clean up and get dressed. Pel wanted to help with every step of Tor’s morning ablutions, and Tor suppressed a spike of irritation. He knew this was the man’s way of showing that he cared rather than a statement of Tor’s incompetence, and Tor hadn’t tried anything more than walkinga few steps around his room. For all he knew, the task of getting to the river and the boat would be more than he could handle.

It took longer than he thought it should, but he was finally dressed and ready—and only slightly winded, goddess help him. Earlier, Beluna, Cavun, and Denil had taken all the supplies so that Pel and Tor weren’t seen doing anything unusual right now.

Beluna and Denil were waiting for them in the hall, and they gave him a nod.