Page 42 of The Fifth Heir

“That is precisely what you asked.”

“The robe goes over your uniform.”

“I know how my clothes work.”

“Then you understand that you’ll remain fully dressed.”

The runes turned red.

Not orange.

Red.

We both looked at the walls.

Talia’s cheeks changed color.

So did the tips of her ears.

“That one could mean anger,” she said.

“It could.”

“It does.”

I decided not to argue, particularly when I was no longer certain anger was the only thing the room had detected.

“Fine. Keep the robe on.” I stepped back, giving her space. “Will you at least sit down while I find something warm for the bruise?”

She regarded me suspiciously. “You aren’t going to summon a healer?”

“Not if the pain eases and you can move it afterward.”

“That sounds almost reasonable.”

“Don’t sound so disappointed.”

Gold flickered through the red runes.

At last, she sat.

I went into the bathing room and found clean cloths stacked in the cabinet beside the tubs. The water ran cold until I touched the basin. Heat spread across the stone beneath my palm, warming it faster than I intended.

I withdrew my hand immediately.

The water stopped steaming.

Control first.

Always.

I wet the cloth with ordinary warm water and returned to the study. Talia had opened the ledger again.

“Close it.”

“I can hold a cloth and read.”

“You can also rest for five minutes.”