Healing Fire Read Online Free PDF Page A

he lifted his head to say thank you. Lem was so good to him, the least he could was be polite and offer words of appreciation.
    “What do you do all day long in your bed, my prince?” Lem asked.
    “Read. Do you like to read?” Jules had loved reading out loud to Mabon. Books were wonderful, but even more when they were shared.
    “I cannot read, my prince. It is not necessary for my kind to read.”
    “Oh.” Jules supposed he should have known that. After all, Mabon hadn’t been able to read.
    “What do you read?” Lem asked.
    “I like adventure stories, stories of pirates, of bandits, of great heroes, and magicians.” He met Lem’s gaze, made the offer he’d only ever made to Mabon before. “Would you like me to read to you?”
    “I would be so honored, my prince.”
    “I’m about to start a new book. It’s called ‘The Song of the Sorcerer.’” Jules patted the bedding, encouraging Lem to sit with him.
    Lem did, sitting stiffly at attention, like a proper bodyguard.
    Jules usually sat in Mabon’s lap, but he didn’t know Lem yet, so instead he curled close to one side and opened the book. Lem was always still and silent, but Jules thought maybe there was an edge of anticipation in Lem’s stillness now.
    “The greatest of magicks often come as a shock, as a surprise, and that is where the story of Alim begins—with a great shock.”
    Lem leaned a little toward him as he began the story, clearly eager to hear each word.
    By the time the knock came to the door, Lem was totally absorbed in Jules’ reading and actually started at the sound.
    “Oh! That should be your pudding.” Lem jumped up and went to the door.
    “Our pudding,” he called out. Right? That was correct?
    Lem bent his head in a bow. “As you wish, my prince.”
    “I wish.” Frankly, he wasn’t even sure if he wanted to stop reading to eat. He certainly wasn’t going to do it on his own. Lem’s smile was warm and happy, so that was obviously the right answer.
    Lem checked the door, then opened it, taking the tray of food from the server and setting it on the little stand by the door. Then Lem closed and locked the door before carefully examining each item on the tray. Clearly satisfied, Lem then tasted every dish, still standing by the door.
    It was at least a minute later before Lem nodded and finally brought the tray to him. “It is safe.”
    “Is it yummy?” Jules might have a taste if it was.
    “It is,” Lem admitted, picking up the spoon. “Would you like me to feed you?”
    That was increasingly familiar, comforting, and Jules opened up.
    Lem surprised him by grabbing one of the cherries with his fingers and popping it into Jules’ mouth. It was tart and sweet and bright. Yum. Jules moaned and bit down, juice filling his lips. Lem drew in a breath and offered him a second cherry. Jules ate it eagerly, suddenly hungry, ravenous.
    Lem began to feed him the pudding, offering him spoonful after spoonful, the chocolate rich, creamy, and smooth. Every now and then, another cherry would be held against his lips, and Jules soon found himself in Lem’s lap, eager for each bite.
    “How could you have not eaten for so long, my prince? You are so sensual with the food.”
    “I was too sad to eat.” Mabon was dead, and he hadn’t deserved food.
    “I hope you’re never that sad again.”
    “Me, too.” He wasn’t sure if he could survive that again.
    Lem suddenly put down the spoon and wrapped him in a tight hug.
    Oh. Oh. Jules took a deep, deep breath.
    “I will do anything I can to make you happy, my prince.”
    Jules settled in, reminding himself that this was Lem’s job, his position in life.
    “Will you eat anymore?” Lem asked, not moving him from his position cuddled in against the broad chest.
    “No. No, but thank you. It was so good.”
    “I’m glad you ate. I was beginning to worry.”
    Jules’ eyelids got heavy, and he leaned harder. Lem simply held him, and he was warm and cozy. And maybe even happy.