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“Hyva,” he calls out urgently. “Neev is injured.”

Hyva comes quickly, helping Vynia along on her one leg. She waves him off and drops to the ground, blood coating her skin as well. Hyva drops to his knees looking me over to figure out what’s wrong.

“My shoulder is dislocated.”

“What does that mean?” Raiz looks from me to Hyva.

“The joint slipped out of place,” Hyva says as he frowns. “I’ve never treated anything like this before. Our joints are different from humans and don’t move the same way.”

“I think you just yank it back into place.”

“That’ll hurt without any anesthetic.”

“Better than risking nerve damage or not being able to use my arm. Just do it. I’ll be fine.”

“Okay.” He feels around my shoulder for a minute and then sets one palm in place and grabs my bicep with the other. “I saw you nail one of the ursax with a blaster.”

I hiss as sharp pain explodes in my shoulder as it pops back into place, but it quickly fades to a manageable ache. I circle my arm forwards a few times and then backwards a few more until the pain fades to a dull ache.

“I did get one of the bastards.”

His lips tilt upwards. “How’s your arm feeling?”

“Almost normal. You did a good job fixing me up.”

“Thanks, I’d rather never do that again, so if you could refrain from doing that in the future it’d be appreciated.” He turns and heads over to Vynia. “I have a spare leg in my medical pack for you.”

“You brought a spare?”

“Yes. You have an irritating habit of using your prosthesis as a weapon or tool. I’ll always have a spare handy.”

“At least I wasn’t the one who removed it this time. That damn ursax bit it off.”

“After you kicked it in the teeth.”

They bicker a bit more while Raiz rounds up the three kyril we were riding. The other two ran off. I’m just about to stand up when I’m lifted off my feet and pulled into Raiz’s embrace. He spins me until I’m facing him and can wrap my arms around his waist.

“It’s okay.” I rub my palms up and down his back while he continues to radiate tension. “I’m okay. Hyva and Vynia are okay.”

He nods but doesn’t say anything. He just pulls me even closer until it’s work to breathe. “I thought I might lose you.”

“I’m tougher than I look.” I lean back so I can look up into his eyes. “We’re not too far from home, are we?”

“No, we’re not. Just a few more hours’ ride.”

“Good. A shower has never sounded better.”

* * *

It’s late by the time we get back to Raiz’s estate. My entire body is so sore it’s difficult to climb the stairs. I entice myself by thinking of standing under the hot spray of his shower for at least thirty minutes while the nastiness of the day washes away into the drain.

I’m not the only one who is exhausted, both Hyva and Vynia decide to take a guest suite for the night. I’m glad it won’t just be Raiz and myself tonight. It’s the first night I’ve spent back in the house since I was attacked. It feels strange to walk through the halls and not see Uzold passing by or bringing me something to read.

Raiz leads me down the hall, stopping between his room and mine.

“Where do you feel more comfortable sleeping?” he asks.

I think about it for a minute. Thoughts of being chased and attacked in his bedroom filter back, and my heart speeds up. “I think I’d rather sleep in my room, but I want you with me. If you prefer yours over mine, I’ll manage.” I look up at him. “I just want to be with you.”