“My power…” Tae swallowed. “I can control minds. Briefly. One at a time. But it drains me, burns through my body like lightning through a tree. If I hold it too long, I could die.”
I blinked, the memories snapping into place.
When the Blood Fae attacked.
In the castle, with the guards.
I hadn’t understood then.
I hadn’t realized what he could do.
“I used it,” Tae said. “To stop him from stabbing again. I didn’t have a choice.”
Meri’s face was unreadable as she started treating his shoulder, but her voice was gentle. “It saved your life.”
He gave a bitter laugh. “The crown made me classify it. Said it would be dangerous if others knew.”
I glanced at Riven, then at Tae.
“Well,” I said softly, “now everyone knows.”
And nothing would ever be the same.
Meri’s hands hovered over Tae’s shoulder, a soft golden light glowing from her fingertips as the torn flesh began to stitch together. Threads of muscle pulled tight, and blood flowed backward into unbroken skin, the wound sealing with a shimmer of warmth and magic that smelled faintly of rosemary and yarrow.
Tae let out a low sigh, his body relaxing beneath her touch, shoulders melting into the cot like she’d poured sunlight straight into his bones.
“Careful,” he murmured, eyes fluttering half-shut, “or I’m going to fall in love with you.”
Meri rolled her eyes without missing a beat. “You’ll be unconscious in five minutes, flirt.”
“You say that like it isn’t the beginning of a great romance,” Tae replied with a drowsy grin.
That was it. Riven snorted, I cracked, and even Meri let out a breath of a laugh.
Tae blinked up at us like he couldn’t believe we weren’t swooning. “You wound me deeper than the blade did,” he said, placing a dramatic hand over his chest. “Let it be known I died gorgeous and unloved.”
“Gods, you’re ridiculous,” I said, biting back laughter.
We were still smiling when the door creaked open and a tall man in Stormforge leathers stepped into the Healer’s Hall, his storm-gray cloak trailing behind him. The insignia glinted silver on his shoulder, his posture calm but alert.
“Good morning,” he said, offering a nod to each of us. “I’m Lieutenant Kaelrick from Stormforge.”
Of course, I had seen him, but like the other squads, they ignored us when possible.
His eyes landed on Tae, assessing the now-healed wound. “I saw what happened on the grounds. You conducted yourself with control and courage. Your power… is quite an asset.”
Tae blinked, sitting up a little straighter. “Thank you, lieutenant.”
Kaelrick’s gaze sharpened. “Tell me… would you like to ascend?”
I frowned. “Ascend?”
“It’s when you move up in the guild ranks,” Tae said quietly. “Not just by title. But by station. Squad. And responsibility.”
“What?” I asked, the realization settling like a stone. “He’s asking you to join Stormforge?”
Tae met my eyes.
