Axia merely raises an eyebrow at him, although her hand trembles. She’s refusing to be intimidated by the looming Primus. I knew I liked her.
He turns his attention to me. “What happened to it?”
I glance pointedly at the two novices standing at attention behind him. Tiernon follows my gaze. “You’re dismissed.”
They bow, stepping back into the corridor and closing the door behind them.
“Tell me,” Tiernon says.
“I liked it better when you were ignoring me.”
“I liked it better when you weren’t here.”
For some reason, his words make my chest ache.
Axia tuts. “Quiet, children. Let’s have a look at it.”
Her hands glow faintly as she holds them above my ankle. “This is an old injury. I felt it before the challenge.”
“Yes.”
“When did it originally occur?”
I attempt to ignore Tiernon looming over me like a shadow.
“Six years ago. When I fought in the Sands.”
She gives me a look. “The Syndicate ensures those who fight have access to healers immediately after. Why didn’t you get this seen to?”
“I had … other things on my mind.”
She shakes her head as if I hadplannedto sign myself up for a lifetime of pain.
“The break never healed correctly. These two bones are grinding together, and when that happens, the swelling also inflames this tendon. I can take care of the worst of the swelling from today, but it needs to be rebroken and healed.”
“How long would it take for it to be fully healed after it was rebroken?”
“A week or longer. You’ve done continual damage, which means it will take time.”
“And it would be weak while it healed.”
“Yes. Weak and tender.”
“Do what you can do now. I can’t rebreak it.” I don’t have the time. And I can’t afford for my ankle to become more of a liability than it already is—at least until after the third challenge. By then, I’ll be leaving to meet up with my brothers anyway, and I have no intention of ever fighting again.
“If you’re sure.”
“I’m sure.”
Tiernon’s disapproval is thick in the air. I ignore it, and Axia gets to work. The pain turns agonizing, and Tiernon places his hand on my shoulder.
I shake him off, and he lets out a low growl, but I don’t want or need his comfort.
An eternity later, Axia finally finishes and I slide off the bed. The pain has dulled to an ache, although it still hurts to walk as I thank her and leave, blocking out the Primus’s presence as he stalks behind me.
I can’t ignore him for long. With one of his vampire-fast movements, he’s suddenly in front of me, studying my face.
“I’m sorry for the part I played in making you like this. But the girl I knew deserved better than the lonely, cold woman you’ve become. You’re going to have a short, unhappy life if you don’t learn how to trust people again.”
