I looked down at my drink, wishing I’d shredded his face instead. I took a tentative sip, realizing I needed it more than I needed to argue with him. I was surprised at the smooth taste. I detected the pergansa fruit, native only to Cantrada, along with the same bitter taste as was in most of the drinks he’d served me. I didn’t mind it as much when it was mixed in with the fruit. I downed it quickly, and when I lowered the goblet Thad raised an eyebrow.

“More?”

I did want more. The aches in my body slowly diminished, and my head felt clearer. I mutely held out the goblet, and he took it. His back turned to me as he went to his table again. I wanted to watch him to see what he was using but standing up was still beyond me.

“What did Benedict tell you to put in there? It works almost as good as—”

“Just drink it.” He turned back towards me, the goblet full again.

He held it out and I took it with much steadier hands. My eyes drifted again to the bandage on his hand, which was stained through with fresh blood. A startling realization made me drop the goblet and snatch his wrist, sending liquid splashing over both of us. He hissed as he backed away, but not quickly enough to stop me from ripping off the cloth and seeing the wound underneath. I took in the straight, clean cut across the middle of his palm, clearly the work of a short knife. I closed my eyes, then opened them.

“What was in the canteen? Have you been giving me your blood this entire time?”

His mouth worked wordlessly, and then he shut it. “Don’t be ridiculous. Human blood doesn’t do anything for a draken.”

My lips thinned. “And what about demon blood?”

He blushed again, the stain going all the way to his ears and down his neck. I’d never seen him so off balance before. Thad was most definitely hiding something from me. Something important. I gave him the best sneer I could manage. “I won’t drink another thing you give me. I’ll be sick again. I don’t care, I’ll—”

“It was Benedict’s blood, alright?”

I dropped my jaw in shock. I knew that bitter taste was familiar. “How—”

“You get one question, so make it count.”

My mouth slammed shut. I thought carefully, my mind whirling as it went through dozens of possibilities and only arriving at one burning question.

“He didn’t kill you?” My voice was high pitched, incredulous that Thad could not only reveal that he knew where I was to Benedict but walk away from the encounter unscathed.

Thad snorted. “He wanted to. Threatened to. Nasty brute.”

I narrowed my eyes. “That’s rich, coming from you. He’s at least never chained me.”

One dark eyebrow raised at me. “No, he just tried to murder you. I can see why you love him so dearly.”