A Beautiful Knight (The Cursed Kingdom #2)

Chapter 8

Chapter Eight

L iam’s eyes fluttered open, noticed Gavin and then narrowed, hostile. Gavin leaned forward in the chair returning the look. He’d been there for hours, his turn to watch over the injured man. Liam hadn’t been in danger of death, his recovery almost complete. Nonetheless, at times like these, the men always kept a close watch on each other. A sick man was a vulnerability.

“I’ve died and gone to hell,” Liam’s hoarse voice told of hours of screaming. “Get the fuck out of my room.”

“And be denied the pleasure of your cantankerous presence? I think not.” Gavin replied without rancor. He didn’t dislike Liam, truth be told. The reason for their open hostility toward each other had never been spoken of out loud. He wondered if Liam held on to the resentment as a way to keep other things at bay.

He’d seen the panic in Liam’s face upon wakening, fear that being freed from torment was no more than a dream. A feeling Gavin faced almost every morning for many years, so he understood.

“Go away. I do not need to be watched over.” Liam tried to rollover, grunted and stopped. “Where’s Niall?”

“He’s done all he can,” Gavin replied. “Your hip was crushed, it will take some time to heal fully. You cannot walk.”

“How long?”

Gavin shrugged. “Days.” They healed quickly in the alter-world, but even there a fracture like Liam’s would take time. “Padriag will relieve me shortly. He will bring food. Need help relieving yourself?”

Liam’s mouth fell open, closing only to open again.

“No.” He turned away and held out a hand. “Hand me a basin and go away.”

Gavin did as he’d asked, then turned his back allowing the man privacy, trying not to react to the soft groans. Even the slightest movement hurt Liam.

Unable to ignore Liam’s pitiful sounds any longer, Gavin swung back around, aiding a red-faced Liam, who averted his eyes looking over Gavin’s shoulder as he relieved himself. When Gavin helped him lay back on the bed, Liam was pale from the exertion.

Gavin emptied the pan and placed it back under the bed.

“I don’t hate you Liam.” Gavin wanted to clear things between them. If he left, there was a chance he’d never see the Englishman again. They’d been together too many years not to at least discuss the reasoning behind their animosity.

Liam merely grunted in response.

“You don’t understand…”

“What?” Liam’s response was almost a shout. “You know you are on the brink of leaving so you want to make amends now?

“We need to make things right between us.”

Liam’s upper lip curled. “Well, I hate you. That will not change. We have fought for many years, so the list of reasons is a long one.”

The words slashed through Gavin.

There was only one real reason, but Liam stubbornly acted as if it had never happened. Gavin had hurt the man deeply, but there was nothing to be done about it. He could not change.

“Just know that you, like Niall and Padriag, are like a brother to me. I admit—I’ve never been a good friend to you Liam. For that I am sorry, but you make it very hard.”

Liam sneered, “We will never be friends. Let us leave it at that.”

“No, we must speak about it. That day, you and I were arguing and then fought. Suddenly things changed. One moment you hovered over me angry, the next you kissed me.”

Liam went stock still.

“Understand that my reaction had more to do with my past. I didn’t expect it. I am sure you didn’t either. I detest my actions, how I reacted. It pains me to recall it.”

“You are pained? As the one who was slammed against the wall, and told how despicable a human being I was, I cannot find it in me to be sad for you.”

Gavin stood and moved to the doorway. “I am sorry.”

Padriag walked in whistling, with a tray laden with food.

“Get out of my sight.” Liam’s hatred filled eyes met his. “Do not come back.”

“Well I see you two are getting along as well as usual,” Padriag said, putting the tray down next to Liam’s bed. “Good morning, Liam.”

“Leave, Padriag. I want to be alone.”

“Nope.”

Piercing pain woke Liam from a deep sleep. Groaning, he waited for the throbbing to stop. He refused to allow Niall to heal him anymore. The man had practically collapsed after the last time. It was becoming too much for Niall, and he could move with a bit more ease. It was becoming bearable.

Anger surged at the memory of his earlier conversation. Gavin had apologized after almost four hundred years of animosity, with a shallow excuse. In truth, Liam hated the reminders that surrounded Gavin.

The kiss was forever etched in his mind. For so long Liam had fought the deep feelings for Gavin and had taken solace in being near him, seeing him daily.

That one time, when they’d fallen and he’d landed atop of Gavin, they’d frozen in place, neither moving. Nearness of any kind was something all of them missed, and in that moment, Liam was sure it wasn’t just him who’d been caught unprepared for such intimate proximity.

In that moment, he had to know if there was a chance Gavin felt something for him. He couldn’t resist it if his life had depended on it. All reason gone, he’d kissed Gavin fully on the lips.

Gavin had turned into stone, proving to Liam it had been a horrible mistake.

Face contorted in blind fury, Gavin had beaten him until the others heard and came to tear them apart. The pain of the bodily injuries was nothing compared to the breaking of his heart.

The only refuge, the only way to protect himself was to use anger, animosity and rage. Otherwise, Liam knew he would crumble.

Now on the brink of leaving, Gavin offered a truce. Asked for forgiveness. True, he’d apologized several times until becoming tired of Liam rebuffing with insults.

He could not forgive him. To do so would mean he accepted that Gavin was repulsed by him on a level different than their open animosity.

The door opened and Padriag tiptoed in only to yelp when his shin hit the corner of the bed.

“Shit, that hurt.” The younger man limped around, setting a teapot down next to the bed. His eyes widened at seeing Liam awake.

“Hey, what are you doing awake?”

“The daggers in my hips woke me.”

“Niall probably won’t be up for another couple of hours, so I made you some special brew.” Padriag poured the steaming liquid. His eyes flickered to the door.

Gavin walked in. “How is he?”

“Get the fuck out.” Liam replied.

“He’s awake, seems to be doing good,” Padriag said. “What are you doing up?”

“Couldn’t sleep,” the Scot peered down at Liam. “I saw the light and wanted to tell someone I am going again.”

Liam glared at him, not replying.

Padriag perked up, “Wait, I’ll go with you to ensure the area is safe before you leap. Just gotta give Liam his medicine.” Lifting Liam’s head, the knight helped him drink. Almost immediately, the herbs soothed the pain and his eyelids became heavy.