"Of course you can see him before we finish healing him," Ashlynn said, deliberately misinterpreting Hauke's tear-filled question. "But you have to be strong enough to do so. That means eating while I explain things to you, you understand? You don't want him to worry that you've wasted away when he gets to see you, do you?"
"No, I," Hauke began before shaking his head slightly. "Thank you. I, I feel bad, making you feed me like you're my mother," he said, his horn glittering a pale lavender shade of embarrassment. "I'll eat. Just, just tell me what's happened…"
"I could be your mother, you know," Ashlynn said with a light laugh when she saw the puzzled look on the young Frost Walker's face. "Ritchel is as comfortable as we can make him right now," Ashlynn said, moving on from the comment before Hauke could ask about it and firmly placing the spoonful of tatare in front of Hauke's mouth until he took a bite of the rich, meaty dish.
