Page 7 of A Fate of Blood and Magic (Fated #2)

When we reached the girls’ school, I watched them disappear into the towering, castle-like building that looked like it’d stepped out of a storybook.

The schools had been the only thing in Reignom that Leanora’s magic hadn’t destroyed, which was a good thing because I wasn’t sure the fae would’ve been able to restore it to its grandeur.

With high walls and imposing towers built from a fusion of varying stones, it was impossibly beautiful yet threatening, looming over the small city of Reignom, where the actual castle, Elias's mother's residence, also resided.

And that was only the school for the younger children.

The one Javier went to was even larger, grander, lined with vegetable gardens that the students from both schools tended, and other outdoor courses to hone skills that would benefit the students and the world they lived in.

Although Javier was learning swordplay and archery, which he enjoyed enough that Elias had bought him an archery set for his birthday, I was grateful he didn’t have to join the military training school.

While it’d been a requirement over one hundred years ago, Elias had convinced his parents long ago to allow the children to be children, only joining the military school voluntarily.

A pretty female fae I’d seen Javier talking to before called out his name, and his eyes widened at the sound of her voice. As if involuntarily, his feet moved forward before he froze.

“Go, Javier,” I urged, eyebrows raised and a knowing smile. “Your friend’s waiting.”

Red spread over his dark complexion to the tips of his ears. He rubbed the back of his head like he always did when he was nervous.

“You think I can hang out with her...them, my friends after school?” he asked, stumbling over his words. “During our breaks at school, we’ve been building a skateboard. They want me to show them how to use it.”

“Of course. And hey, I was thinking about checking out the new pizza place for dinner.” I wrinkled my nose.

“No promises on how good it’ll be. The chef’s not human and didn’t exactly grow up around mozzarella, but I heard they have arcade-style games.

You and your friends are more than welcome to join us.

I mean, you can sit at your own table so the girls and I don’t cramp your style. ”

I cringed again. One day, maybe when I was well over one hundred years old, I’d learn not to ramble.

“Yeah, maybe.” He chewed on his bottom lip. “Do you want me to help you get to the healer?”

A group of fae kids headed our way—two boys and the same girl from earlier.

“Should I leave before they get here?” I asked, glancing back like I might make a run for it.

It wasn’t that I didn’t want to meet his friends. I did. I wanted to be a part of his life, both in and out of our home. But being a teenager was hard. Being a teenager in a magical realm? Even harder.

“They’re not like that, Teddy,” he whispered. “Besides, even if we were still in Colina, I wouldn’t be embarrassed for my friends to meet you.” He gave me a tentative smile. “Between you and me, you’re kinda cool too.”

I couldn’t tell you why his words warmed my heart but I wanted to hug him, squeeze the air out of him. But I restrained myself. Barely.

“Hi,” the female said when they reached us. “I’m Delaney.”

“I’m Teddy.” I smiled and tucked my hands in the pockets of my pants.

“Aidas.” One of the boys lifted his hand in a wave. “That’s our friend Kieren.”

At Kieren’s name, my mind-speak magic sparked. Having never happened before, it startled me, but I did my best to cover it up.

“It’s nice to meet y’all.”

“Do you mind if we steal Javier?” Aidas asked. “We wanted to show him a design we’ve been working on.”

“We could show it to you too,” Delaney offered, pushing her wavy black hair from her face. “It’s for the board the males have been working on.”

“Show me later,” Javier said. “And we can show Teddy if y’all want to try the new pizza place with us tonight, but right now, I’m going to take Teddy to the healer.”

This kid. This damn kid.

“Are you injured?” Aidas asked, his head tilting.

“I’m fine.” I laughed.

“I can bend space and take you to the healer,” Aidas offered.

“That’s kind of you, but I’m honestly okay. ”

Aidas raised an eyebrow. “Javier’s a worrier, in case you haven’t noticed. Let me take you so he knows you made it.”

Amused, I shook my head. “Elias would like you, Aidas.”

He grinned. “Most people do. I’m charming.”

“You’re an idiot,” Delaney said, then clapped a hand over her mouth. “I didn’t mean—sorry, I shouldn’t have said that in front of you.”

I grinned. “I’ve called my friends and Elias much worse than that.”

Javier snorted. “She has.” His expression softened as he looked back at me. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Yes,” I urged.

Aidas stepped forward and I gripped his arm. Within seconds, we were outside the castle walls.

“I can take you the rest of the way,” he said. “I didn’t want to pop up inside the castle without warning, though. The guards all carry swords, and I like my head where it is.”

I laughed. “This is perfect. Thank you.”

He bowed.

“Have a good day, Aidas. I hope y’all can make it to dinner with us.”

“I’ve never had pizza before,” he admitted. "I think I’d like to try something from your realm.”

After he disappeared, I didn’t bother hiding my limp as I made my way to the castle’s large entrance. Two of the guards spotted me with one of them racing down the large concrete steps that made up the castle’s initial grounds.

“My lady.” He bowed, eyes assessing me. I recognized him as our head guard Elias also often used as a messenger since he could bend space. “You’re injured. How can I help you?”

“I was hoping to see Leah,” I told Pietro .

He nodded. “If you’ll allow me to touch your hand, I can take you directly to her.”

I held my hand out. “I appreciate it.”

With that, he took my hand. A strange expression I didn’t have time to identify crossed his features before he bent space so we walked right into the healer’s clinic.

“Leah,” Pietro called out.

The female I’d only met once when we’d first moved into the castle stepped through an open door, her face down as she tapped on the tablet Elias had brought back for her and all his healers.

Her body was tall and lean, her movements precise and graceful.

Although I’d never seen a ballet in person, I imagined hers was the body of a dancer.

“What are you shouting about, Pietro?” When Leah looked up, her mouth gaped open before she snapped it shut. “My lady.” She curtsied. “I didn’t realize you were here.”

I hated the bowing and curtsying and calling me my lady. It felt strange and awkward like these people—Elias’s people—were trying to confine me in a role I didn’t quite fit.

“Please, call me Teddy. I didn’t call or make an appointment or anything,” I said, suddenly unsure of myself as I fiddled with the hem of my shirt. “I can come back if you’re busy.”

She looked around her empty clinic and gave me a patient smile. “I’m not busy. What can I do for you?”

“I hurt my leg while fighting—or training—with Everly.”

When she patted one of the examination tables, I limped toward it. Pietro offered me his arm, which I gratefully took.

“If you don’t need me anymore . . .”

“Thank you, Pietro,” I said as he bowed. “I appreciate your help. ”

He tapped his fist to his chest twice, something I’d come to learn was a show of respect to those in authority.

When he left, I edged onto the table and turned my attention to Leah.

“Could you lie down for me?” she asked.

I did as she asked and held my breath when her hand hovered over my right foot.

“Is this the one giving you trouble?”

“Yes.”

“May I?” She held her hand inches away from my ankle.

I nodded.

Leah’s warm magic trickled into my foot, the tendrils spreading down to my toes, then reaching across my ankle to my leg and knee. When she withdrew her magic, she patted my knee before she stood beside me so I could see her.

“Two of your ligaments are ruptured,” she said, voice sure.

“Your calf is swollen and bruised, but I’d say that has more to do with Everly hitting you there.

It’s not something I’m concerned about.” She looked back at my ankle.

“I can heal the worst of the damage, but you’ll need to stretch and strengthen the muscles afterward.

Since I’m not fully familiar with human anatomy, I’ll have to do research to see what works best. May I begin healing you? ”

“Yes, please.”

The warmth of her magic spread around my ankle, its threads reaching both sides of my foot before trailing up to my knee. Pain shot through my ankle before it vanished, and I let out a relieved sigh.

“I’d like you to ice it tonight,” she continued.

“I won’t ask you to stay off it entirely, but you’re not to train for at least five days.

I’d like to see you at the end of that period to make sure everything’s healing properly.

” Her magic swam inside my leg, sweeping over areas it’d already healed.

“With your permission, I’d like to examine you fully so I can keep a chart of your health as I do with Prince Elias and Queen Renee. ”

“Of course.” I swallowed. “Whatever you need.”

She hummed softly in acknowledgment, sending her magic through my body in gentle waves before it swam just beneath the surface of my skin.

I felt the way it traveled across my face to the top of my head, through my sternum and each arm.

It was different from Elias’s healing magic.

Intrusive almost but somehow comforting.

When she patted my lap, I sat up and slowly turned my foot from side to side. When nothing but a dull throb remained, I grinned.

“So?” I arched my brows. “Do I get a clean bill of health?”

“You are healthy,” she said calmly. “And, my lady, you are also with child.”

My heart stopped. I sucked in a breath.