“That’s not what you’ve said in the past. I thought I was doing what you wanted… what was best for you, by leaving you with your mother and staying in the background.”

His gaze troubled and fretting, Darice fell silent as he turned off the module then laid his head on Dancer’s biceps.

Sumi moved forward, expecting Darice to say something snotty to her. Or jump up indignantly from Dancer’s arms. Instead, he merely watched her approach them from where he lay cradled.

“How are you feeling?”

Dancer licked his lips. “Wrung out. You?”

“I’m fine.” She knelt beside them and felt his forehead with the back of her hand. “Your fever’s not as bad.” Then she handed him the small cup. “It’s more of the antidote.”

He wrinkled his nose at the smell, but said nothing before he dutifully drank it. “Thank you.”

“You’re very welcome.” She took the cup back then smiled at Darice. “I’m making more salad for your dinner.”

Squeezing his eyes shut, he twisted his face into an expression of supreme disgust. “I don’t like eating plants.”

She widened her smile. “And that’s why I made it for you.”

Dancer laughed. “Now you know what it’s like to have a sibling, Dare. They all treat you that way. The minute they know you don’t like something, they’re honor bound to torture you with it. For eternity.”

“Then I’m glad I’m currently an only child.” He closed his eyes again and sighed contentedly.

Dancer caught her hand before she moved away. “What can I do for you?”

Sumi hesitated, wondering if he even realized how he phrased things. He never thought of himself first. Rather, he put everyone’s needs above his own. “Rest. Get better for me.”

“I feel useless lying here. I should be —”

“You should be resting,” she repeated firmly. Then she dropped her gaze to Darice. “Plus, I think he needs some uninterrupted guy time.”

Only then did Dancer nod. “If you need anything, let me know.”

“Fair enough.” Sumi brushed a stray piece of hair back from Darice’s cheek before she stood and left them alone.

As she reached the opening, she heard Darice’s faint voice. “Are all humans like her, Dancer?”

“How do you mean?”

“Kind and gentle. Caring.”

“Sadly, no. Especially not to Andarions. She’s very different from most of her kind.”

“Ah… Is that why you like her?”

“No. It’s why I treasure her. Now, shush and give me peace from your questions for a while.”

Those words made her heart swell with an inexplicable joy. Dancer treasured her. Was it even possible?

“Are you okay?”

She looked up at Thia’s question as she neared the fire. “Fine. Why?”

Thia shrugged. “You have a strange, weepy look on your face.”

She set the cup down and checked their dinner. “Do I?”