Page 177

Urkin straightened, and when our eyes met, his stern expression had softened. "Any disturbance at our borders, any whisper of movement from Draxon—you'll know immediately."

CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN

Five days had passedsince our return from Sídhe. After the adrenaline wore off, the pain from Narissa's acid burns had set in with a vengeance. The first few attempts at cleaning the wounds left me gritting my teeth, fighting back screams that threatened to wake the entire medical wing. I'd turned down the healing potions—we needed to save those for more dire situations. The medics had offered to use their tethers, but I refused that too. Their powers were already stretched thin enough.

Now I sat in one of the infirmary beds, watching Lael's peaceful face as he slept. The medics had done remarkable work with his burns. Though evidence of the injury remained, the angry red had faded to pink, new skin already forming at the edges. He looked so young in sleep—a sight that still unsettled me. Despite all of his training, despite all of his dedication to the realm, he was still just a boy caught in the midst of forces beyond his control.

Aether occupied the chair between our beds, his golden eyes distant as he stared at nothing in particular. The creases around his eyes had deepened over the past few days, though he refused to admit he needed rest.

"What's on your mind?" I asked softly.

Aether's gaze shifted to me. "I've been thinking about your conversation with Laryk." He paused, choosing his words carefully. "You mentioned something about his tether—focus, whatever you call it. How it doesn't work on you."

I nodded slowly. "It doesn't."

"Are you sure?"

The question caught me off guard. "Yes, I'm sure. Why?"

He was quiet for a moment, that familiar crease forming between his brows. "I just wonder if it's a strategy."

"What do you mean?"

He looked towards the window, running a hand through his onyx hair and letting out a slow breath. "Perhaps," he finally said, "you're easier to manipulate if you think you can't be manipulated by him."

Irritation heated my face. "I don't…" I countered, shaking my head. "He protected us when he could have had us surrounded in seconds?—"

"I know." Aether's voice was gentle, but something lurked beneath it. "It just seemed odd how quickly you decided to trust him in the end."

No.It couldn’t be. I trusted Laryk because Ichoseto do so. I’d loved him because–

Movement from Lael's bed caught my attention before the thought could finish. His fingers twitched against the sheets as his eyes fluttered open. Aether was on his feet instantly, and I couldn't help but notice how the hardness in his expression melted away as he approached the bed.

Lael blinked several times, confusion clouding his features before recognition dawned. When his eyes found Aether, a goofy smile spread across his face.

"Did I miss training?" His voice was scratchy from disuse. "Everything feels... fuzzy."

That rare dimple appeared as Aether smiled. "You've been asleep for over a week."

"A week?" Lael tried to sit up, wincing slightly. "But the last thing I remember..." His brow furrowed as he struggled with the memory. "There was fire everywhere..."

"Don't push yourself," Aether said, helping adjust his pillows. "You're safe now."

Lael's eyes widened when he noticed me. "Fia? What are you doing here?" He glanced between us, questions evident on his face.

"Just keeping an eye on you," I said softly. "Ma's healing potions seem to be working well."

"Ma?"

"A friend from Sídhe. She created these." I gestured to the bottles beside his bed. "They've been helping with your recovery."

"Sídhe?" His eyes went wide. "But how?—"

"It's a long story," I said, sharing a look with Aether. "There are good people everywhere, Lael. Sometimes in places we least expect."

He absorbed this, his young face thoughtful. "Is that where you two went? To Sídhe?"

"Among other places," Aether said carefully.