Page 22 of A Kingdom's Heart
“It works well enough,” he said, shrugging.
I focused on the bandage, wrapping it carefully around his shoulder. The fabric brushed against his skin, warm beneath my fingers. His breathingstayedeven,though I could sense the
tension in him, like he was holding something back.
“You’ll need to keep it clean,” I said. “Change the bandage tomorrow, and don’t lift anything heavy for a few days.”
He gave a quiet laugh. “You do realize that’s my job.”
“Then you’ll just have to disobey orders for once,” I said, tying off the last knot.
“Wouldn’t want to upset the captain,” he replied, amusement flickering in his tone.
“Then don’t get stabbed again,” I said simply.
He smiled at that, a small, genuine curve of his lips. “I’ll try, healer.”
The sound of his voice saying the wordhealermade something twist inside me. I stepped back to put some space between us. “There. You’re done.”
He stood slowly, testing the movement of his arm. “You’ve got a steady hand,” he said.
“I’ve had practice,” I replied.
His eyes lingered on me, warm and unreadable. “Still,” he said, “thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” I managed, keeping my tone even.
He nodded once, then reached for his torn tunic, draping it over his arm. “Guess I should let you get back to work.”
“That would be wise,” I said, though part of me didn’t want him to go.
He paused at the doorway, the faintest trace of a smile still on his
lips. “Good night, Elara.”
My breath caught, but I only nodded. “Good night, ser knight.”
The door closed behind him with a soft click.
For a long moment, I stood there, staring at the place he had been. The air felt warmer somehow, touched by his presence. Then the warmth faded, replaced by a hollow quiet. His footsteps echoed down the hall, until they disappeared completely.
The fire crackled faintly in the hearth. Shadows leaned across the floor, long and trembling.
I exhaled, slow and uneven. My pulse still hadn’t settled.
Across the room, Raven was at the table, sorting through her herbs. The sound of her rustling leaves and clinking glass was almost too loud. She didn’t look at me at first, and I almost thought she might not say anything at all.
Then she did.
“So,” she said casually, glancing my way, “why did you lie
about your name?”
CHAPTER EIGHT
IRIS
“Hello?” Raven said, her voice cutting through the quiet. “Are you going to answer, or should I just start guessing?”
