I debated going to find a healer instead, but I couldn’t fathom how I would answer their questions of what had happened to me. There were only two options—wait for Alandris or stitch it myself. Either way, I needed to get to his rooms first, away from where anyone could spot me covered in blood. Thankfully, my blood’s color blended with my dress, so a brief glimpse wouldn’t likely reveal me—a minor victory.
I reached the hallway leading to the Grand Arch Magus’ quarters and twisted the knob of one of the double-sided doors. There was a slight resistance, but it quickly turned and gave way. I took a peek for onlookers before slipping inside and closing the door behind me.
Met with another large hallway and several open doors, I poked my head into each as I proceeded, wishing I wasn’t bleeding out so that I could investigate. The information I’d gotten stabbed for would probably be bountiful within his own quarters. Pity. I begrudgingly made my way to the end of the hall, where another set of closed double doors awaited. Again, brief resistance, and then the knob turned with ease.
The room beyond had to be Alandris’. At the front was a grand desk piled high with books and loose papers. In the back of the room was a bed dressed in plush velvet and furs, far larger and more luxurious than the scratchy cotton we lowly Mages had in our dorms. A side room jutted off to the right, and inside was the bathing room—a smaller, private version of the communal baths I was used to taking was built into the floor. Asshole lived a life of excess while, we had to worry if we were being ogled as we wash.
I was sifting through his cabinets, looking for a medical kit, when I heard the door click open.
“You should have wiped your hand on your dress,” Alandris called from the main room, too nonchalantly for someone who’d just discovered his student had murdered someone. “I had to send someone to clean the trail of blood droplets leading up to my room.”
I stepped out from the bathing room, medical kit in hand. “Sorry about that.”
His eyes drifted down to where my other hand clutched my side, and he paled. “Youarehurt.”
“It’s not that bad!” I groaned as I collapsed into the chair Alandris had pushed into the center of the room.
“How do you know?” He asked, though he clearly had no intention of listening to my response. His hands were busy fumbling with the medical kit, spilling its contents all over the floor.
“I was my ship’s healer. My experience there exposed me to many wounds; I learned to distinguish the deadly from those easily mended with stitches and a stiff drink. I can do it on my own. I’ve done it countless times.” I sighed as he continued to fuss. “You aren’t planning on doing it, are you? Your hands are shaking worse than mine!”
My protests were met with a glare.
“Fear of blood, huh?” I asked with a smirk.
“Hardly.”
I leaned forward and rested a hand on his shoulder. “Then what is it? Take a moment and breathe. My life isn’t in imminent danger, and I could really use that drink. In fact, that should be priority number one.”
“I am not amused by your lack of self-preservation,” he said, though he stood to grab a bottle of alcohol off the shelf behind his desk. He took a swig of it himself, and I noticed he settled a bit. “Here.”
“My bad. I never intended to spoil the merchandise. I know you want my magic for some grand, evil plot. Must need me alive for that.” Sarcasm dripped through my words, and Alandris seemed even less amused.
I took the bottle from his hands and gulped down far more than a sip.
He raised a brow. “Better?”
“Better.” A numbing, tingling warmth had already started to spread through my body.
He nodded, relief flooding his features. “Good. Do you want me to cut that part of the dress away?”
I looked down at the gash just below my ribs. If I could get the blood out of the garment, it might be salvageable. If I wasn’t able to, Elle was going to murder me in my sleep. “No, just help me unlace the corset so I can step out of this thing.”
Alandris stared at me, blinking.
I blinked back expectantly. “Please? Need I remind you that I am bleeding out onto your floor.”
“Are you wearing something underneath?”
My mouth dropped in disbelief. “Now is not the time to be shy, Grand Arch Magus. Surely you’ve seen a woman’s body before.” I hummed to myself, bringing a finger to my lips. “Though, perhaps you haven’t. Do Mages take vows of celibacy as some knights take vows of silence? You’re in for a treat, then.”
That spurred him into action. He’d shifted behind me and begun untying the laces with such aggression my teasing words died in my throat. “Your time aboard that ship has made you bold.”
“Does that bother you?” I asked, part of me was curious, the other was desperate for anything to distract me from the feeling of his fingers brushing against my back.
“I enjoy all facets of your personality. They are all you, Nairu.”
My back straightened as I sucked in a breath. “You speak as though you know me.”
