Page 16 of A Fate of Blood and Magic
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 memy 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.
“With child?” The words came out barely above a whisper. My heart lurched and slammed against my ribs. No, she couldn’t possibly mean?—
“Yes, you are with child. Pregnant.”
