Ellina moved soundlessly to Dourin’s side. She knelt at his bedside, rested a pale hand over his. Her golden eyes returned to Venick, imploring.
“There must be something more you can do for him,” Venick said to Harmon.
“There isn’t.”
“He should be getting the best treatment, the best care.”
“And you think he isn’t? He saved my father’s life. This city owes him everything.”
“You said his recovery has been slow.”
“Because the wound was severe. Look around, Venick. Do you think this room is always so empty? There were other patients in here before. My father sent them to the infirmary in the city. The castle’s entire medical staff has been dedicated to—what, princess?”
Ellina was shaking her head. Harmon crossed her arms. “I’m telling you both, this is the best we can do, andwhy are you still shaking your head?”
Ellina motioned at Venick’s feet. He looked down, not understanding. “My boots?” Ellina’s exasperation was clear.No, you idiot.She made the motion again, and this time it clicked. Not his boots. His injury. After Ellina had rescued Venick from a bear trap, she’d wrapped the mangled mess of his foot with leaves. That plant had been a miracle. It had helped his injury heal faster than seemed possible. Let him keep his foot.
“Isphanel,” Venick said.
Harmon’s brow furrowed. “The plant?”
He was surprised she knew of it. “Its leaves have healing powers.”
“How do you know that?”
“Because I’ve seen it.” Then, to Ellina. “I’ll find it. Just—”Tell me where to lookdied on his lips.
“That plant doesn’t usually grow this far north,” Harmon said.
“I’ll ride south.”
“It’s past season.”
“There hasn’t been a frost yet.”
Harmon set her hands to her hips, but Ellina was nodding, and Venick had eyes only for her. “It’s only midafternoon,” he said. “If I leave now, I can cover good ground before dark.”
Ellina came to her feet, a new glint in her eye. Venick knew that look. She intended to come with him.
“Ellina.” He held out a hand to stop her. “You need rest too.”
She ignored him. She touched Dourin’s cheek once, gently, before striding from the room. Venick started to follow, but Harmon stepped into his path. “We need to talk.”
“Later.”
“Not later. Now. My father is furious. Venick.” Harmon puffed out her cheeks. “What have you been thinking? First you run off like a man possessed, and now you show back up here with that elf—”
“That elfrisked her life for our cause,” Venick snapped. “She’s been spying for the resistance.”
“And you didn’t see fit to explain that before?”
“I didn’t know.”
“The Elder won’t believe that.”
Venick glanced at Dourin sleeping in his cot. He thought of the way Ellina’s jaw had set when he’d suggested that she stay behind to rest, that old determination, so at odds with the tired bruises under her eyes, the poverty of her frame. He felt something inside him begin to slip, some emotion that he’d kept bundled tightly all across the tundra come loose. He rubbed his face. “I can’t worry about that right now.”
“It’s all you should be worried about.”
