Glyn worked quietly at his table grinding herbs. They were different from the ones I had used before, but I had given up trying to make sense of his shelves. Even the scent of all the ingredients grew dull, no longer pressing their assault on my senses.

“Come here and let me take a look at your arm,” he ordered.

My body was reluctant to obey. Even the short trip across the small hut was met with protest in the form of many aches and pains. Glyn shifted closer to the spot I had settled in, and began to untie the bandage around my arm. Gentle fingers filled the crack in my arm with a grainy paste.

“Ouch!”

“Does it sting?” A grin betrayed his caring tone.

“Yes,” I replied through gritted teeth.

“Good, that means it’s working.” He added another finger full of paste to my arm. “Take off what’s left of your shirt. We need to deal with all the bruises.”

A few puffs of the blue powder eased the pain from all the scrapes. Then came some kind of jelly, which he rubbed over a large bruise on my chest. I only closed my eyes for a moment before the touch of the cool medicine on my lower abdomen made me jump back a bit.

“There isn’t a bruise there.” I protested.

“My mistake, just a shadow I guess.” He completely ignored my grumbling and moved behind me to treat the wounds on my back. “I swear you get hurt on purpose, just so you have an excuse to undress in my home.” His words were almost monotone, and while they were cheerful enough, they lacked the excitement that usually came with his taunts.

“You’re not as clever as you think,” I said, keeping my voice low. “How about you tell me what’s wrong instead of trying to cover it up by flustering me.”

His hands paused for a moment, then continued to apply the jelly to my back. Despite the cool tingle of the medicine, I could feel the warmth radiating from his fingers. The soothing feeling lulled my heavy eyelids closed again.

“The bottle on the table has a potion inside to ease pain. You’ll probably need it later.” He stood, leaving my bare back exposed to a cool breeze coming from the window. The chill air shocked me back to my senses.

“And take the rest of the powder with you. I’m sure some of the injured villagers will appreciate it.”

“You haven’t answered my question.” The distance between us closed quickly, and I pressed my hand to his forehead. There was no fever.

“Satisfied? I’m fine. The village needs you more than I do.” He turned to walk toward the door. Without thinking, my hand reached out and took his arm.

“No, I’m not satisfied. You’re trying everything you can to get rid of me and I want to know why.” Tension hung in the air as mossy eyes stared back into mine. Rage burned in those eyes, sending a wave of fear through me.

Instinct screamed to let go and draw my blade as power crackled through the air around him. Will battled against instinct. I reached out with my other hand to hold his other arm and stare back as hard as I could.

“I’m not leaving.”

The weight of his power rested on my shoulders, growing heavier by the moment. His eyes suddenly softened, and a gentle sigh escaped his lips. His arms pulled from my grip before he walked over to his bed and sat down.

“Wow mister, you’re really something,” called a familiar voice. “I’ve never met anyone more stubborn than master.”

“What do you know rabbit?” I asked the beady eyes that watched from the open window.

“Master didn’t lie when he told you restoring a human was only a cup of water compared to the pool of an aes sídhe. What he didn’t tell you is that a cup is all his pool has left.”

My gaze shifted to Glyn, holding his knees in the corner. Anger bubbled up and mingled with other emotions. I wanted to yell at him for trying to push me away and for putting himself in such danger in the first place. I wanted to praise him for his selfless act of healing. I wanted to cry in mourning as I realized he was dying.

And because of the moisture gathering in his fearful eyes, I wanted nothing more than to comfort him. No, I didn’t want to just comfort him, I wanted to save him.

“How do I stop the banshee?” I asked, drawing my sword.

“You can’t,” replied his defeated voice. “Death always takes its payment.”

“So pay with something else. Use my life as payment.” Hot liquid trickled down my face. “You’ve restored my life twice, it’s time for me to pay it back.”

“Protecting the town and many of its people has more than paid your debt. You kept many more from dying than my healing could have. I will not take your life, or anyone else’s.”

“What about this púca here? It wouldn’t kill him would it?” My finger pointed to the black fuzzball in the window.

“You’re crazy mister. I’m not about to start giving up my lifeforce for humans. Master might forgive you humans, but I won’t.” He hopped down and scampered off into the night.

I moved to chase him, but two arms wrapped themselves around me from behind. Glyn’s chin rested on my shoulder, and his warm cheek pressed against mine, mixing the water from our tears.

“It’s okay. It’s time to rest sir knight, the battle is won. You made a sacred oath to protect the innocent. You have learned to distinguish evil from heritage and your role in this world is far from over.”

He moved to stand in front of me, greeting me with a smile both genuine and sad. Time froze and no more words passed between us. Soft lips gently pressed against mine, his arms once again holding me in their embrace.

The air around us chilled suddenly.