"If you hadn't helped, you would've gone on your way and never met Tark. You wouldn't have been attacked or nearly killed. So we are all immensely grateful to you, M-miss Lavayla, and we will do everything we can to repay your favor."
Her smile softened at the tremble in his voice. "You've already repaid it. You saved my life. You protected me. Asking anything more would be selfish of me."
"B-but," Ressha began, but Lavayla gently cut in.
"I should be thanking you instead—"
"Miss L-avayla!" Garrick blurted, cheeks reddening. "You are really kind. I have never seen anyone as kind as you are—"
A snort sliced through his compliment. Kal.
Garrick snapped toward him, indignant, but Lavayla jumped in before he could explode. "Thank you for the compliment. But I'm not really that kind. Helping you during the fight… I'm just thankful I did."
"We are thankful too…" Garrick muttered, softer this time.
