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“Yeah, that’s not really what happens in the cities up north,” Jeanie says, interrupting Grace and taking control, completely calm and casual. She sighs, slipping her hands into her pockets. “I used to think that sort of thing too before I arrived. I was a refugee, as a little kid. From Navira.”

I turn my head to Jeanie with surprise because…god, I had no idea.

Everyone else quiets too, giving her their attention.

“Navira is a good and moral place,” Ivy whispers, nodding, clearly trusting Jeanie more than me now.

“I mean, it’s all right,” Jeanie says, dry and noncommittal. She nods her head towards me. “But if Nadia says that you need treatment in a hospital, then you probably do. Why don’t you two come sit around the fire with me, and we’ll talk it through? I’ll answer your questions, and you can make a decision. Either way, we’ll give you plenty to eat, and if you decide that you’d rather just keep going through the desert on your own path, then we’ll give you some supplies and wish you luck.”

Ivy and Jade look at each other, both clearly worried. Then Ivy turns back to Jeanie and gives her a small nod.

“You done here?” Jeanie asks, turning to Grace.

“Yup,” Grace says, grabbing a small sling from beneath her pile of bandages and holding it out to Jade, whose breath wheezes as she reaches for it. “Just wear this to keep that wrist still until the doctors can set it for you, and you’ll be good to go.”

The women stand, gathering the rest of their dinners and the sling, starting to follow Jeanie towards the door. I fold my arms and watch them, curious, hoping Jeanie can convince them.Because with that cough…damn, but Jade needs help. Things could go downhill for her very quickly.

To my surprise, Jade turns after a few steps. I stand straight and meet her gaze. “I’m grateful,” she says, lifting her chin, the pride in her voice making me smile. “If you’re not a sorcerer, that is. Then I’m grateful.”

“I’ll take it,” I say, smirking at her. Then I wave as she turns and follows Jeanie and her sister out of the tent.

“Not a very high opinion of our royal family,” Grace says, cleaning up the rest of her supplies and smirking at me.

“I know,” I say, laughing and turning to strip the bed of its soiled sheet. Damn, but we’re going to go through a lot of laundry here. “I can get on board with that particular objection.”

“What?” a voice asks, making Grace and I both jump and turn. My eyes are rolling already when I see Cole standing three feet away, his gun slung ever-so-casually across his shoulder. How is he that gigantic and still that damn quiet? “I mean, they had the eating kind of right, but do you seriously think mom and dad sit around counting jewels all day?” He grins between us. “Iris maybe wishes, but…that’s not their reality.”

“I don’t know how it is that your family spends their time,” I say, tossing my hair back over my shoulder. “But I tend to be on board with any critique of monarchy, full stop.”

Cole laughs a little, shaking his head at me. I raise an eyebrow at him, inviting him to counter me on it.

Chapter 18 – Dispute

Nadia

I watch Cole closely as he grins at me for a long moment before he exhales his breath, glancing away for a second, clearly resisting the bait that would lure him into a fight with me on the point of monarchical rule.

Instead, he takes a moment to collect his thoughts before he turns back to Grace and me, his equanimity restored. “That was cleverly done, bringing in Jeanie.”

“Wait,” Grace says, crossing her arms and narrowing her eyes at the Prince. “Did you like…hear all that? From thedoor?”

Cole nods to her, totally casual, as if his Alpha hearing is just no big deal. She gapes at him, and he grins before he turns his attention back to me.

“Did you know she had a past that would help her connect with the patients?”

“Unfortunately, I cannot take credit for that insight,” I murmur, looking back towards the door. “Jeanie just has good vibes. I’m glad she’s here.”

“Me too,” Grace says, nodding as she gathers up the sheet and the rest of the rubbish. “I’m going to go deal with this,” she says, nodding down. “Nadia, do you want to go see if any new patients have shown up?”

She grins pointedly at me as Cole nods towards the door, indicating I should follow him.

I glare at Grace, but only hesitate for a second before I go with Cole, truly curious to see if any more people have shown up. But when we get to the entrance, the camp is fairly quiet. The scene at the fire has died down to a few small groups chatting, most people getting ready for more patients or resting up for the long night.

Playtime in camp is clearly over now that things are getting real. Now, we get to work.

“Over there,” Cole murmurs, lifting his chin to where a small fire has started, three figures gathered around it. A fourth figure approaches bearing blankets and more food, and I smile when I see a flash of Shayne’s red hair.

“Good,” I say, sighing happily to see Ivy and Jade settled at least, talking to Jeanie instead of outright bolting. “I hope they can be convinced to go to the hospital in the morning.”