The older medic doesn’t say a word to me, standing stiffly, though as the infirmary cots empty and patients return home, the contempt slowly seeps from his gaze.
I lose myself in my passion, in my patients.
Their pain is real.
Their suffering is real.
And for the first time in days,Iam real.
Every time my power stitches flesh, the throbbing ache in my chest eases slightly. This is who I am. Not a princess in a gilded cage, but a healer, elbow-deep in the work of soothing pain and saving lives.
After another hour, only a handful of patients remain, all with minor flesh wounds. I wish I could heal them, too, but tell-tale fatigue weights my limbs, even after eating. I need to rest—if my reserves fall too low, Sauzon will pay the price.
I take a deep breath and turn to him.
The older man reluctantly meets my gaze.
“I want to apologize,” I start. His mouth drops open. “I didn’t mean for you to get caught in the middle of my … disagreement with Zev.
“I’m trying to find my place here. Healing others has always brought me peace. It’s a responsibility and privilege I don’t takefor granted. I’d love to return tomorrow and continue.” I inhale deeply, squaring my shoulders. “But I won’t come back unless you wish it.”
Sauzon stares at me as if I’ve lost my mind. Maybe I have.
I gesture around the stark white room. “This isyourinfirmary. I don’t want to overstep. I can find my place somewhere else. Truly.”
He eyes me warily, unsure if I speak the truth. I don’t blame him. The older medic casts his gaze around the room. Nearly all of the cots lay empty.
“You are welcome to return,” he says stiffly. “If you wish.”
“Perhaps, you can teach me about your methods,” I offer as we head toward the door.
He scoffs. “What good would that do? You can work magic with your hands. My methods are nothing compared to that.”
“That’s not true,” I say slowly. “My power is great, yes. But you’ve saved countless lives without ‘magic.’ What you do, that’s truly miraculous. And I’m only one healer—if my reserves are low or I’m injured, I can’t heal. It’syourmethods that can be taught. Passed down. I can only teach another healer, but you can teachanyone. I’d be honored to learn from you. Maybe we could even combine our approaches.” I offer him a small smile. “I know trust isn’t built in a day. But I hope to earn yours. Not as your princess, but as someone who wants to help people. Just like you.”
He blinks, mouth parted. Sauzon regards me carefully, then nods.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Princess.”
The door flings open with abang, and I yelp, snapping the book closed.
Zev enters. His eyes flick toFaerahzar the Greatin my hands, and a strange look passes through his eyes, there and gone before I can decipher it. For a moment, we just stare at each other.
Then, five long strides, and he’s towering above me.
“Are you still upset?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady. My pulse thunders in my ears.
His lips press into a thin line. “With myself. Not with you.” He offers me his hand, and I tentatively clasp it in a loose grip. “Come on.” With a firm tug, Zev pulls me from the sofa.
“Where are we going?” I ask, hitching up my gown to match his long strides. His eyes dip to my feet, and his pace slows.
“It’s a surprise.”
We wind through torchlit corridors, past narrow, open-air bridges, and up a spiraling staircase that seems to go on forever. My calves ache by the time we emerge onto a secluded terrace tucked between the towering walls of the palace.
Stone arches frame the inky night sky, dotted with a thousand twinkling stars. Candles line the floor, casting a soft glow over the terrace. In the center, a large blanket has been spread out, its corners weighted with smooth stones.
I arch a brow at him. “Another picnic?Thisis your grand apology?”
