When he finally leaned back into the cushions, his eyes turned to Grace again. "Will you stay with me?"
She blinked. "Of course. I'll be nearby."
"No." His voice, though soft, was firm. "Here."
Grace hesitated. She looked at the king. Then at Jace, whose jaw was now tight. From his furrowed brows, she knew what was practically going on in his mind even though he said nothing.
King Lester noticed it too.
"I'll stay with him tonight," the king offered gently, stepping closer.
"You've done more than enough, Grace and you need to rest. Let me take over for now."
But Aedric stirred restlessly at those words, his eyes darting to Grace with something that looked like panic. "Don't go…"
"I'm not going far," she said, moving over to sit at the edge of the bed. She reached out and gently took his hand, placing it between both of hers.
