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The troll woman’s gray skin paled, but she pressed her mouth into a thin line and nodded.

Melantha rested her hand on the boy’s arm. As she sent her magic into him, she could sense the place where the bone had regrown at an angle instead of straight. Clenching her magic around the spot, Melantha snapped the bone cleanly.

The troll woman flinched, but she did not react or lash out at Melantha again.

Pouring more magic into the boy’s arm, Melantha nudged the bones back into their proper alignment, then encouraged them to heal quicker than they would on their own.

When she was satisfied that the bone was healing as it should, she pulled her hand away and met the woman’s gaze. “Your son’s arm will be fine now. It will still be healing for the next day or so, so I will bind it in a splint. But in two days, you can remove the splint, and his arm should be completely healed.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” The troll woman remained where she was, gazing down at her son, as Melantha found items for a splint in the pile of medical supplies Zavni had gathered for her and bound the boy’s arm.

Rharreth remained where he was, standing near the table with stiff shoulders. Vriska still had not moved from her post in the corner.

When Melantha stepped back, the troll woman gently picked up her son and cradled him to her chest. She bobbed something almost like a bow while gripping her son. “I am sorry for my reaction earlier.”

“It is forgiven.” Melantha gave a nod in return, though she did not bow. She was the queen, after all.

Though, it had been a good lesson in explaining herself more. These trolls were not used to how an elf healer worked.

Rharreth held the curtain open for the troll woman, then glanced to Zavni. “Wait a few minutes before sending in the next one.”

Zavni nodded, then escorted the troll family from the room.

Rharreth turned, the set of his shoulders going stiff. He glared at Vriska then stalked around the table toward her. “Why didn’t you protect the queen?”

“She was not in danger.” Vriska waved her hand, meeting Rharreth stare for stare.

“Your performance was unacceptable. You are relieved of your duty.” Rharreth’s dark blue eyes burned as he jabbed a finger toward the door.

Vriska gave Melantha a glare as she sauntered past, as if she was not repentant in the least.

When Rharreth faced Melantha, his shoulders were still stiff, though the burning light had retreated from his eyes. “I will remain here with you, unless the patient finds it uncomfortable.”

This time, Melantha was not going to argue. It was reassuring, having Rharreth’s solid presence at her back rather than Vriska’s glaring.

Melantha healed ten patients. Then fifteen. By the time the last troll left, she had healed thirty-seven trolls. Her head ached from doing so much healing while surrounded by stone, and she leaned against the table as she poured some of her magic into her temples to relieve the pain.

Strong hands settled on her shoulders, and she glanced up to find Rharreth studying her with dark blue eyes, his forehead knotted. “Are you all right? Has all that healing taken a toll on you? I told you that we could refuse the last few, if it was too much.”

“I am fine. I actually have plenty of magic left, if more show up.” Melantha’s tense shoulders relaxed, both from the warmth of his hands and her magic easing her headache. “It is just the stone.”

“I did not realize the stone affected you. You never seemed to be bothered by it the way your brother Laesornysh is.” Rharreth cupped her chin, turning her face side to side as if searching for hints of pain.

“I am affected, though not as strongly as he is. I still have access to my magic and thus can heal myself from the headache.” Melantha shrugged and let herself lean into Rharreth. While she still had plenty of magic left, she was weary after training and then expending more magic than she had in a long time. He was satisfyingly solid and warm in this place of cold stone.

Rharreth’s mouth flattened into a thin line. “I am sorry. I did not realize living in this stronghold was still hurting you.”

“It is not. I can heal myself. It is not a big thing.” Melantha waved a hand to brush aside his concerns. It was not as if they had any other choice. All houses were made of stone here in Kostaria. There were not enough trees to waste them on using them to build houses, especially not when the trolls could just mold the stone into whatever house or stronghold they wanted.

Rharreth nodded and stepped back, though he did not completely let go of her nor did the thoughtful look leave his eyes.

The outer door creaked open again, and Zavni stuck his head inside, visible around the edge of the curtain, which had been pushed aside after the last patient left. “The last one has left, and...oh, sorry, Your Majesties.”

When Melantha glanced up at Rharreth, he was glaring at Zavni. His voice held a hard edge to it when he ordered, “Please step outside and guard the door. See that we are not disturbed.”

Zavni smirked and bowed. He was still smirking as he shut the door behind him.

Were the tips of her ears growing hot? Melantha swallowed. Whatever Zavni was thinking, it was not like that. Surely Rharreth just wanted to talk, right?