Cassen was waiting for Ezo when he left Kammon’s room. “Danya is terribly sorry for the confusion,” he said as Ezo entered the corridor. “Kammon told us about the bond, but we may have misjudged certain details.”

“You don’t need to worry.” Ezo gave him a slight smile. He didn’t know why they were trying to shove him in the water with Kammon, but there was no ill intent on their end. “Kammon is the one to blame for the misunderstanding. Maybe now that I’ve caught up to him, we’ll all learn more about this bond.”

Cassen grinned at Ezo. “Good to hear it. Kammon can be ornery. It’s nice to have someone to help me get through that hard skull of his.” Cassen opened the door next to Kammon’s. “Best room we have, Elementalist,” he said. “The healing springs will take a couple days of travel off your back, even if there’s nothing else to heal.”

“Kammon said if he were to call any place home, it would be here.” Ezo hoped he could get Cassen to talk about Kammon. Though they’d traveled together, Ezo didn’t know enough about the man he was - like it or not - bound to.

“Did he now?” Cassen asked. “He’s had a rough life. We see him as family around here. It’s good to hear he realizes it. From what he’s told us, I think you’re good for him. You should know, though, that the moment I decide I’m wrong, you’ll be out on the road.”

Ezo appreciated the honesty, and he laughed. “You can’t have been listening to him then because Kammon and I don’t see eye to eye very often.”

“I didn’t say you agreed with him. I said you were good for him. With Kammon, that’s usually two different things. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll send food over while you have a soak in the healing waters.”

“I’ll eat in the main room when I finish. I’d rather get back to Kammon before he flies off again.”

“I can promise you that one thing. He’ll be here, even if I have to sit on him.”

###

The bath was luxurious. The elements mingled around him as soon as he stepped into the balmy waters. The surface danced with magic and Ezo relaxed for the first time since he’d taken to the road looking for raiders.

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Under the peculiar waters, his hand blazed, and he watched as it disappeared under the magic, only to take color again when he raised it. It was disturbing not to see it when he could still feel the water rushing around it. He settled the feeling by leaning back and pulling his arms up to rest against the tub.

As much as he wanted to soak longer, he needed to see Kammon. Kammon said he wouldn’t run, but Ezo feared he would now that Ezo finally had him close.

When he was dressed, he headed to the inn and found Kammon at a booth in the back, with Danya and Cassen sitting with him.

“Let me get you some supper, Elementalist,” Danya stood and left to find food for him while Cassen poured ale from a pitcher into an empty mug. He handed it to Ezo, who drank gratefully.

“Thank you,” he said with a smile. “Alvrey mentioned the springs in Tam’s Flat but not the hospitality. I’m not sure which is more healing.”

“Alvrey?” Cassen asked with a pointed nonchalance.

“A healer Ezo met along the way,” Kammon answered. “She was traveling with the players. I told you about her.”

“Oh yes, so you did. I don’t believe you mentioned they were close.” Cassen stood stiffly, eyeing Ezo.

“I don’t believe that’s any of your business, Cassen,” Kammon said, sipping his own ale.

“Suppose it isn’t. I’ll help Danya.”

They were left alone, and Ezo was confused by Cassen’s change of attitude. “Sorry, but did I miss something?” he asked.

“They have… ideas… about what the bond means.”

“Like?”

“Jonhelm and Sisha. Maisy and Gues.”

“Those are the greatest love stories of all time,” Ezo said with a laugh.

“And Cassen believes the old stories hint those couples were bonded.”

“Wait, he thinks…”

Kammon sipped his ale again, looking back at the kitchens where Danya and Cassen were taking an awfully long time to fetch his food.

“Well,” Ezo wouldn’t lie and say he’d never noticed how attractive Kammon was when he wasn’t scowling. And he was a brilliant elementalist with a sharp intelligence and a certain wit that was appealing at times. But they weren’t exactly a love story in the making, either.

Instead of taking it too seriously, he laughed it off. “That would explain why they were trying to shove me into your tub. I don’t know how they came to that conclusion, though. I doubt you told them much good about me.”

“Maybe they think I’d fall for a pretty face and all that hair, Raven,” Kammon said, pointing to Ezo’s hair. It hung loose over one shoulder instead of being tied back in his usual fashion.

“I’m more than a pretty face,” Ezo protested as he took a long pull from his mug.

Kammon gave him a crooked smile as his eyes roamed over Ezo’s body. “I have noticed.”

Ezo choked on his ale, tears burning in his eyes as he coughed and tried to get the liquid to go down the right pipe. He glared at Kammon the whole time. He had no right to make a comment like that. To insinuate … to act like …. Oh hell.

He took another drink. “Cassen, are you bringing food anytime soon?”