Page 92

Bash kisses my cheek. “I’ll be right out there.”

“Thanks.”

“You too.” The nurse nods at Halen and gestures for the door.

They both leave, then the nurse looks over my cuts and bruises. “They’re already improving. How do you feel?”

“Fine.”

“That’s what you said before.” He arches a brow.

“Great. I feel great.” I force a smile. “Now can I go?”

He snickers. “Do you want anything for the pain? I can’t give you anything too strong unless you’re going home instead of to your dorm.”

“I’ll take whatever you can give me.”

“Thought you were doing great?”

“Great for someone who just got beat up with a spear.”

“Ah, I see. If you need to come back for any reason, don’t hesitate. Some symptoms like showing up later.”

Ten minutes later, I leave with Valora’s equivalent of ibuprofen, and it’s already taking the bite out of my cuts.

Bash puts his arm around me again. “It’s almost time for breakfast. Do you want to go there or rest?”

The aches in my back and arm make me want to climb into bed, but my stomach is also growling.

“I don’t know what I want.”

“You need rest,” Halen says. “I’ll sneak you up some food.”

“She needs to show that bottom feeder she won’t be pushed down so easily.” Bash pulls me closer.

“You two are making my headache worse.”

“Then come rest,” Halen says. “That’s what you need.”

“No. Bash is right. I’m better off showing Earwig that her win barely affected me.”

Halen frowns. “I’m not really worried about her right now.”

I straighten my back. “I am. She probably thinks she’s gained the upper hand. I need to show her. Then I can rest all day.”

Bash kisses my forehead. “That’s the spirit. Then when you’re up for it, we’ll practice with you until you’re ready to face off with her for real. Not the first day you handle one of the most powerful weapons known to merpeople.”

I start to say something, but a group of girls heading toward us stop and talk over each other about my hair.

“Is it true a trident changed it?”

“It’s so pretty!”

“Is it going to stay that color?”

“I wish my hair would grow that fast!”

Bash pulls me away from them. “She isn’t feeling well. Let’s give the girl some space.”