Page 80 of Heart of the Hunted
"I don't think we would," Taredd told him. "But... it wouldn't be as much fun without you."
"See? I knew you cared," Dain said smugly.
"I wouldn't go that far," Taredd said. "But yeah, it wouldn't be the same without you... or Arun."
"Yeah, the grumpy old git grows on you, doesn't he.”?
"I wonder if he's caught a Human of his own yet?" Taredd asked.
"Probably not, knowing him," Dain said. "It wouldn't surprise me if he was still looking for one, let alone actually caught one."
"Yeah, that's true." Taredd laughed quietly. "He's not the best at tracking, is he."
"Nope," Dain agreed. "I think that's why he hangs around with us."
"He's probably wondering around like a headless chicken without us there helping him," Dain said, laughing as well, just not as quietly as Taredd had done.
Dain instantly stopped when Natalia groaned as she turned over in her sleep. If they weren't quieter, then they were going to wake her up. It wouldn't be such a bad thing, because she needed to eat as well, but he wanted her to get a little bit more rest before she woke.
The food would still be okay if she slept longer, so there was no rush to eat it before it turned bad.
"Anyway," Dain said as he stood and stretched before heading to the door. "I'm gonna leave you two in peace."
"Okay, we'll see you in the morning."
"If you need anything, I'll be right next door,” he said, pointing in the direction of his room.
"We should be fine for tonight," Taredd told him.
"Well, the offers there if you change your mind."
"Dain?" Taredd said as he was about to shut the door. When Dain looked back at him, Taredd said: "Thanks for today."
"Any time," Dain said, smiling.
As tempting as it was to climb in bed next to Natalia again tonight, Taredd didn't want to disturb her. So instead, he kept watch over her from the chair.
