WIP Wednesday - Excerpt from Warriors of Illumai

---

Hello! For Work in Progress Wednesday, I have an excerpt from Warriors Of Illumai. This story is my upcoming fantasy romance web serial. I'm looking forward to sharing it with you!

---

Ghalen looked over his shoulder in the mirror. The wounds on his side and shoulder needed attention but they weren't so bad that he needed to go to the hospital wing right away. He would wait and let those who needed immediate care be treated first. He was about to go to his bathing chamber to wash away the battle grime when a knock came at the door.
"Come in!" he called out.
The door opened and Cevon poked his head inside the room.
"Cevon," Ghalen said in surprise as he rose from his seat.
"Hi. I thought I'd help you with your wounds."
Ghalen was so surprised that Cevon had come to his room to see to him personally that he stood there silent and unmoving for a long moment. At his prolonged silence, Cevon held up the basket of medical supplies in his hands.
"Ghalen...?"
Ghalen snapped back to attention. "Yes. Come in."
Cevon came into the room and closed the door behind him.
Alone in his room with Cevon, Ghalen felt oddly like he should put on a tunic to cover his bare torso. But that was silly. They'd seen each other shirtless countless times over the years. Besides, Cevon would need to remove the shirt to get to his wounds anyway. He waited as his friend crossed the room. Once Cevon was in front of him, he bowed. "I would be honored to have you treat me."
Cevon snorted a laugh and lightly hit him on the arm. "Why are you being so formal with me? Sit down."
He sat back down as directed, waiting quietly as Cevon kneeled on the floor to look at the worst of his two wounds.
"I'll clean it first. This is going to sting a bit."
Ghalen nodded in agreement and braced himself. Cevon applied a wet cloth to the wound, gently wiping away the blood. The task twinged the area, but didn't truly cause any pain.
"That wasn't so bad," he said once Cevon took the cloth away.
Cevon didn't respond. Head bent, he took out a small blue bottle from his medical basket. Removing the cap, he held the bottle over the deep cut on Ghalen's side. Now, he looked up.
"Ah, Ghalen?"
"Yeah?"
"You fought well today."
Ghalen smiled at the praise. "Thanks I -. Owwww!" Ghalen jerked upright, his side burning with fiery pain after Cevon poured whatever was in that bottle over his side. "What was that?"
"That was the part I said was going to sting."
"You said a bit," Ghalen said with a sour pout. His side was throbbing.
Cevon giggled. "Don't be a baby. The fluid cleanses the wound and burns out any infection."
He repeated the treatment on the smaller wound on his right shoulder. This time Ghalen was prepared for the burn and only flinched a little when it was applied.
"I'm sorry I'm not using my healing ability on you."
"Don't be sorry," Ghalen said with a shake of his head. "I know you need to reserve your power."
Cevon took a small cloth and patted the wound on Ghalen's side dry. Then, he pursed his lips and blew a soft breath over the spot.
Shivers chased down Ghalen's spine at the warm breath on his skin, and he visibly trembled. Cevon looked up at him, his dark eyes wide, before he quickly returned his attention to his task. Opening a jar of ointment, he applied small dabs of it to both wounds. To finish, he applied bandages over them.   
"There. All better."
"Thank you for taking care of me," Ghalen said softly. When Cevon looked up at him again with that wide-eyed gaze, Ghalen realized what he'd said. A blush burned his ears and he rushed to correct himself. "I mean us. The team. Not just me. I don't think I'm special or you're giving me special treatment."
"Of course not," Cevon replied.
Cevon lowered his gaze to fuss with the items in his basket but Ghalen saw the soft pink that tinged his cheeks. Worried that he'd embarrassed his friend, Ghalen gave himself a stern warning to carefully watch his words from now on

---

Coming soon! I'll have a firm start date next week. Thank you for reading!
Love,
Christa