Kingdom of Ash

human.” Though the voice was gruff, humor
sparked in Lorcan’s eyes.
Elide fished the tin of salve from her
pocket. Eucalyptus, Yrene had said, naming a
plant Elide had never heard of, but whose
smell—sharp and yet soothing—she very
much enjoyed. Beneath the pungent herb lay
lavender, rosemary, and something else mixed
in with the opaque, pale liniment.
A rustle of clothing, and then Lorcan was
kneeling before her, Elide’s foot in his hands.
Nearly swallowed by his hands, actually. “Let
me,” he offered.
Elide was stunned enough that she indeed
let him take the tin from her grip, and watched
in silence as Lorcan dipped his fingers into
the ointment. Then began rubbing it into her
ankle.
His thumb met the spot on her ankle where
bone ground against bone. Elide let out a