Page 13 of Bonds of Starfall

She raised her hand and knocked.

Just when Rin was preparing to take a seat in the small sitting area nestled in the hall, the door opened.

"Vesperin." Lucien Quenlan raised a long, pale finger, adjusting the set of his black-framed glasses as he peered down at her. His white doctor’s coat fell open at the front, revealing his usual black slacks and pale blue button-down; the top few buttons were undone, and she saw the beginnings of his pale chest peeking through.

"Dr. Lucien," Rin greeted. "I—hi." She was always rendered speechless in front of the man. He had that effect.

Lucien checked his silver wristwatch. "You’re five minutes late." His voice was cool.

Rin’s cheeks flushed. "Sorry," she said.

He stepped aside to let her into his office, her arm brushing his chest as she passed by, making awareness prickle on the back of her neck.

"I got held up," she lied, not willing to admit she had almost forgotten.

"Hm." Lucien assessed her. "This way." He led her past his ornate, oak desk and collection of shelves lined with medical texts to the already open door set on the far wall, which led to his examination room.

It was a stark difference from his office. The walls were white, the floors so shiny, her pale face was reflected on them.The center of the room held an examination table, a light shining brightly above it. Against one wall, a desk and a simple computer, and shelves with glass doors filled with a variety of medical instruments.

Without looking at her, Lucien gestured to the table, hooking his stethoscope around his neck.

Rin hopped up on the examination table, the paper underneath crinkling as she shifted to get comfortable. Her legs swung as she watched his back.

"Your pupils are dilated. Your breathing is so loud, I can hear you from over here."

She jolted at his words, watching as he opened a drawer, pulling a bottle of something from inside and sticking it in his pocket. Finally, he turned, pinning her with a stare so cold it made her blood freeze in her veins.

He leaned his hip on the counter behind him, crossing his arms. "Were you going to tell me that you haven’t been well?"

Rin’s fingers dug into the crinkly paper under her. "I am well! Nothing’s wrong."

"Liar." He walked toward her, and she focused on the stethoscope at his chest so she wouldn’t have to look into his eyes. She felt his stare burn on her skin, scrutinizing. "You’ve lost weight."

"I’ve been busy… training." Rin looked up, wishing she hadn’t. "You know I got accepted into the Hunter’s Guild Academy. You’re not even going to congratulate me?"

Lucien hooked the tip of his shoe under the bar of a rolling stool, dragging it to him. He sat down, bringing him eye to eye with her. "Why should I, when I have made my thoughts on the matter clear? The Academy is too dangerous for you, Vesperin. You’re in no state to keep up with the sort of training they require. You’ve not even had your first day, and you look readyto fall asleep right here. What do you think four years of training will do to you?"

She swallowed. "I don’t need your validation, but I do need you to sign off on my records so I can pass over a copy to the Academy’s physician. If it bothers you that much, I’ll find another doctor."

The wheels of his stool rolled him closer. His knee brushed hers. "No, I am your doctor, Vesperin. Even if we have a conflict of your best interests, I will still oversee your health."

Why did he have to be so damned infuriating?

Lucien put the earpieces of the stethoscope in his ears, lifting the circular piece in his hands. Before she could so much as blink, he tugged the collar of her shirt down and pressed the diaphragm to her chest.

"Breathe deep," he murmured, voice dropping an octave.

She inhaled shakily, feeling her heart thump weakly in her chest.

"Again," Lucien prodded.

And Rin breathed in, slower this time.

He was so focused on listening to the sounds of her heart that she was able to steal a glance at him. His black-framed glasses perched on the end of his nose, cool green eyes narrowed with worry as the corners of his lips turned down.

The leather of his stool creaked as he sat back. "You’re in pain right now, aren’t you?"

Rin studied her folded hands on her knees. "Yes," she said softly.