MJ’s face twitched as she focused on Alexei and Xavier’s conversation, either ignoring me or too engaged in their words to hear me.
“MJ?” I pressed.
“Let’s go to the healers’ wing to have this conversation,” she said as an afterthought, clearly more concerned with Alexei’s conversation than Ronen.
It both irritated and relieved me.
Ronen’s limp body hung between Alexei and Aspen as they carried him to the healers’ wing. MJ marched ahead of us, clearing a path and threatening anyone who dared to peek at Ronen. Rune kept by my side, her shifting fur soothing me. We entered the healers’ wing and passed occupied cots and privacy curtains until we reached the private rooms in the back. Sam walked around the corner, jotting something down on a chart and pausing in front of Oliver’s open room.
“Oliver, regarding our last conversation—” He lifted his head from his writing, blinking at us like he wasn’t sure if what he was seeing was correct.
“Yes?” Oliver inquired in an eager tone.
“We’ll talk about it at a later time.” Sam shut his door.
“Hey! You can avoid my questions all you like, but I’m going to keep asking them,” Oliver said in a muffled sing-song voice.
Sam gestured to a room two doors down from Oliver’s. “Place him in there,” he directed.
We moved into the private room, and they heaved Ronen onto the bed. Aspen immediately released him, while Alexei positioned his limbs more comfortably and fluffed his pillow.
“What happened?” Sam asked, clutching his amulet as he ran a glowing hand up and down Ronen’s body.
MJ closed the door. “He was acting different.”
“And he wasn’t in control of his powers,” Alexei added. “It kind of reminded me of the time we saw him at Hoar Hollow, when he slammed back all those glasses of whiskey,” Alexei admitted, glancing at MJ.
I raised a brow, unable to imagine such a sight.
“You think Ronen is drunk?” MJ scoffed. “You can barely get him to drink more than one when we go out.”
“Maybe he was having a bad day. I’m just telling you what I noticed.”
Blood drained from my face, and my eyes shot to Aspen. He glared at my forehead. When he noticed my attention, he held my gaze for a moment before turning away. MJ watched our interaction, pursing her lips in consideration.
Sam placed a hand behind Ronen’s neck, yellow light reflecting on the white pillows. “Alexei’s right. His blood alcohol levels are elevated. I’ll heal his burns, but I’m afraid he’ll have to sleep off his intoxication.”
It only took seconds before Sam dropped his hand and prepared to leave. Disapproval was etched across his expression. He took his job seriously. Of course, he didn’t want to use his energy on Ronen’s self-afflicted wound. I was sure he had more serious injuries to heal and only so much energy to use in a day.
“I’ll have an attendant bring in some water and a hydration draught.” Sam was almost out the door when Aspen grabbed him. “Please remove your hand from my arm.”
Aspen released him. “I understand the general is important, but I figured the princess would at least receive some attention,” he ground out, nodding to my forehead.
Sam glanced at me, sighed, then raised a glowing hand to my throbbing cut. I hissed as the searing heat dug into my open skin. That was why I didn’t ask him for help. It hurt more being healed than when I smashed my head into the floor. An annoying itch came next, then a soothing coolness that cleared my head. I must’ve had a mild concussion.
“Thanks,” I murmured, and I could tell he was trying very hard not to express his irritation.
“Word of warning, Aspen. This kingdom doesn’t know Lucifer has a daughter. You’re lucky you didn’t reveal dangerous information to the wrong people.” Sam gave Aspen a hard look, then left.
“No one thought it important to tell me Lucille’s identity is hidden here?” Aspen stared at us in disbelief.
I sank into a chair beside Ronen’s bed. “When has there been time?”
“Everyone you know in Hell already knows about it. Including Sam, the healer who scolded you,” Alexei supplied.
“Why are you a nobody here?”
“A nobody?”
