193 Chapter 193

I couldn't help but pout, thinking this was a return to an old topic he'd usually rant at me about when he'd been a kid.

"I wasn't being stupid when I ran out to help people after that dragon," I started.

But Gus cut me off. "That's not what I was going to talk about. Seriously, I know you don't try to get hurt." He grimaced. "I'm sorry that I treated you like that. I just...it's me who has the problem. I don't handle it well when the people I care about get hurt."

"Most people don't."

"Yeah, well I think I'm worse than most people, okay? Just..." he shook himself. "Ugh, just, wipe that from your mind. It's something I meant to tell you since we met up again but kept getting pushed aside for some reason."

Since he was beside me, he didn't have to reach far to tap the ring on my hand.

"Back when you got this ring, do you remember what the priest said about protection?"