Page 91

Chapter 23

Halen presses an ice bag to my forehead. “Hold this there.”

“I don’t need it.”

“Is that why you have a lump bigger than any fish egg I’ve ever seen?”

Grimacing, I rub my forehead. Sure enough, I have a bump. “She’s going down.”

“Let’s just focus on getting you out of the infirmary.”

Knock, knock!

“Come in!” Halen calls.

I glare at her. “I don’t want to see anyone.”

“Not even me?” Bash comes inside, gorgeous as ever.

My heart skips a beat. “Not when I look like this.”

“You’re still beautiful.” He sits on the bed next to me and holds the ice bag for me. “What in Hades happened in the last couple of hours since I saw you?”

I scowl. “Earwig and Mr. Brant happened.”

His eyes widen. “That jerk had you fight an upper-year?”

“Not just any upper-year. The one who tried to kill me when I first arrived.”

He puts his arm around me. “I can’t believe him.”

I shrug. “Seems to just be the way it is for me.”

“It shouldn’t be!”

“What can I do about it?” I sigh, and realize my ribs are sore. “People don't like my dad. They don’t want me here.”

Bash’s eyes grow intense. “Fight her again.”

“Did you see what Earwyn did to her?” Halen exclaims.

He turns to her. “Exactly why she needs to put that dogfish in her place.”

“Again?” I rub my temples.

“Do you want us to let you rest?” Halen asks.

I shake my head no. “Can you see if the nurse will let me go? I just want to get out of this infirmary.”

“Yeah.” Halen disappears.

Bash cups my chin, and I get lost in the deep sea of his eyes. He presses his lips on mine and kisses me deeply. My heart thunders against my sore chest. He tastes sweet, like cherries. All my aches and pains fade away and I get lost in the kiss.

“How’s the patient? Feeling better, I see.”

I turn to the nurse, my face on fire. “It does help to have friends here.”

“Friends, huh?” He turns to Bash, giving a little nod. “I need to ask you to leave while I check over the patient.”