and knitting bones. Only after they had seen to hisburnt flesh did the healers discover that one shoulder had beendislocated and an ankle broken. Small wonder it felt like pain wouldbe his constant companion from now on.Riodanturned his head from the stifling softness of his pillow seeking onething alone. He exhaled in relief when he found Dylen seated besidehis bed, watching with concern and not a little fear. He reached outa shaky hand and feebly smiled when it was immediately caught in astrong, comforting grip.Dontleave me alone, he whispered, forgetting that he had pleadedthusly a number of times since regaining consciousness in the palaceinfirmary.Dylenquietly said, Ill be here, I promise.Riodanslid back into slumber, keeping his face turned toward Dylen that thefirst thing he would see when he awakened would be his beloved face.** * *Itwas only on the fourth day since the incident that Dylen deemed itpermissible to leave Riodans side. The ambassador had finallyfallen into a deep, restful sleep unlike the previous days when theslightest movements or faintest sounds disturbed his fragile slumber.Dylengazed long at him, relieved that Riodan would have some respite fromthe almost interminable pain of his injuries. He grimaced as herecalled the prior evenings ghastly proceedings and Riodanssuffering. True, Amirs physicians had prevented more seriousdamage. But even they could not alleviate the excruciating discomfortwrought by the process of healing from severe burns.Lastnight, the healers had tended to an infection in Riodans lowerback, perforce cutting away flesh that threatened to turn gangrenous.They gave him a sleeping draught beforehand. But even the strongestdose could not completely render him oblivious to the pain of theprocedure, and hed awakened several times before the physicianswere done. Dylen flexed his fingers in involuntarily response to thememory of how tightly Riodan had held on to his hand, gripping hisfingers so hard that Dylen thought his bones would break. Yet despitethe pain, Riodan had not cried out.Tearsstreamed down his cheeks, and at one point, hed been reduced togasping sobs and whispered imprecations. But he did not shout or bawlas might be expected of a Deir in his situation. And all the while hestared at Dylen, as if drawing strength and courage from him. It wasall Dylen could do to keep from lashing out at the physicians fordoing what they had to do.Heran his fingers through Riodans hair. The bronze locks were lankfrom oil and sweat and the strands at Riodans nape were dark anduneven where the singed ends hadbrokenoff. Dylen stroked Riodans cheek. Thank Veres the burns went nofurther and the ambassadors face was unmarred.Notthat Dylen would have found him less beautiful had his face beenburned. If anything, Riodan seemed more exquisite in Dylens eyes,even to his ruined back.Dylensighed. Riodan had saved his life and deemed the consequences of thatact worth it. Dylen would never forget their conversation after thehealers had finished their task.Iwish I could take your pain away, Rio, Dylen said, guiltunderlining his voice. Riodan weakly smiled and murmured, Youalready did. He briefly placed his handonDylens chest. Its gonethe ache Ive borne these manyyears. When you let me in again, you took away my