Kate stifled a sniffle. No one asked her permission to do anything before. She was a child to most.<br/><br/>She removed a tool from her mage robe and popped his collar. She held it up to him. "What do you want to do with this? It was too tight for you to swallow freely. I do not want you any pain ever. You come to me even if you get a scratch. Never hide any pain from me. Even you hurt here." Kate pointed at his heart.<br/><br/>"Yes, you may eat. You will no longer have stale food and scraps. Ann's cooking is the best. I like it better than school and palace food. You were beaten like this because you lost a fight. Syndicate, how awful. I am so sorry they did this. You will never be like this ever again. I will not permit it. You may get sick of my room. You will stay with me until you are healed and are given your own room. May I call you Syd?"<br/><br/>Kate held another piece bread to his cracked and chattering lips. "Your life will be so much better. I will do everything I can to make up for all that has been cruelly done. I will introduce you to fun things. Sweets.  The outdoors, once you have healed. New sights and smells. The first thing is better food and a warm bed. You need lots of rest. Eat all you want and sleep. I will tend to your wounds.  I have essence of poppy in my bag. It will help you sleep and ease your pain. Do you want it? I will figure out a way to wash your hair when we get home. You are a bundle of nerves and need rest."<br/><br/>Kate removed the cork to the flask, "Not water. Spiced apple cider. Careful may be hot to you. It is sweet."<br/><br/>She extended her legs and held the flask between her thighs. She held the jar of soup to his mouth. " Small sips. I know your starving. You will never be denied food again."<br/><br/>Kate slowly removed a piece of rotten food from his hair. "Keep eating. I have cloth and oils this should clean your hair and remove dried blood."<br/><br/>Kate bandaged his arms and applied salve to his neck and chest. Bruises she healed with her mana. "Sorry, it hurts. I know you are not used to being touched lightly. I will touch you like this often as you heal. I do not want you any pain ever. You come to me even if you get a scratch. Never hide any pain from me. Even you hurt here." Kate pointed at his heart.<br/><br/>"We will be home in an hour. I do not want you walking for the rest of the day. I need you to permit Peel to carry you. My room is upstairs and you are in no shape to climb. If you move, you will damage yourself more. I will tend to your back when you are in bed. More soup or cider?"