“I’m okay.” I shake my head weakly and add, “Thanks to Amund.”
Nils only seems to notice his brother now—and how close his fingers are to my lips.
“What are you doing?” Nils demands.
“Stopping the bleeding.”
Nils shoves Amund aside. “You’re using the wrong ointment. Get me the other one marked with the Nauthiz rune. Hurry up.”
Amund rises to his feet, but he seems reluctant to leave. His jaw tightens as he looks between us and then returns to the cabinets.
Nils reaches for my face, swiping a thumb over my cheek. “Edith, let me take a look.” He examines my lip, tilting my head this way and that to better inspect it. “Do you notice any numbness?”
“A little,” I manage to get out.
“Seems like it didn’t damage the muscles around your mouth. You’re lucky.” Nils furrows his brow. “Have you seen the laceration?”
I shake my head.
“Does she need stitches?” Amund asks, rifling through the cabinets.
Nils ignores him, talking to me instead. “Without the missing piece of your lip, there’s nothing to reattach, and stitches wouldn’t work either. Since your lips are full anyway, it should be able to heal with some magic salve.”
But some part of me, however small, will still be missing.
And now everyone will be able to see it whenever they look at me.
Amund approaches, holding a tin marked with a straight line and another diagonal line through its middle. Nils quickly snatches it from him.
“You’ve already done enough,” Nils tells him. “You should go. Dad was looking for you in the dining hall. Word of the attack is already spreading.”
Nils applies the salve to my lip. His fingers are clumsier, shaking as he works, like he’s nervous. He can’t maintain his composure quite as well as his brother can.
Amund watches us for a long moment.
At first I think he’s going to say something, but then he leaves without another word.
“Thank you,” I call out. “I mean it.”
Amund pauses, surprise flashing across his face for the briefest second before he nods.
“I’m so sorry,” Nils says. “I should’ve been there with you.”
“I wouldn’t have wanted you to be in danger, too.”
Nils sounds annoyed. “You know I’m good with magic, right?”
“The only reasonIwas able to keep Isaac from ripping out my throat was because I’m a berserkr too.” That, and Amund helped restrain him,I silently add. If Amund hadn’t, I would probably be dead right now, despite all my berserkr strength.
“You’re right,” Nils grits out. “I’ve never been physically strong, not like my brother.” He can’t hide the resentment in his voice.
While Nils helps me, who is taking care of Amund now? Is anyone? My stomach knots with guilt. I’m sure he didn’t escape the attack unscathed. After he saved me, I should be helping him, but he’s long gone by now.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIXAMUND
Father is waiting for me in the central courtyard.
My legs move on their own, carrying me toward him despite my exhaustion, despite my pain. Now that Edith is safe and my adrenaline has drained away, I can feel the price I paid to save her. I try to use the pain to focus.
