“Fuck.”
The skin had completely split, the wound so deep that there was exposed bone. Blood poured from the gash, leaking down my forearm in a consistent flow.
The adrenaline from the fall wore off, and I started to feel how painful the injury was. I put pressure on it with my hand, but the blood seeped through the cracks of my fingers.
I toyed with the idea of going to the infirmary, but King Hawthorne would have a conniption if I didn't show up to the armoring ceremony. Hopefully I could find Pia before it began. She would be able to heal the gash enough to cease the bleeding. I’d deal with the rest of it after.
Using my free arm, I pushed off of the step to stand up straight. I kept my hand tightly against my elbow and started down the hallway towards the door, much slower than before.
“Are you alright?” A man's voice stopped me in my tracks.
I looked over my shoulder at a sturdy, light-haired soldier standing at the bottom of the staircase. Caelestian armor covered his abdomen, and though I didn't recognize his face, his voice sounded familiar.
He pointed at my arm.
I turned fully to face him. “I’m okay. I just tripped.”
He cocked his head towards my injury. “It looks pretty bad. There's blood dripping on your dress.”
I glanced down at my gown, the black fabric appearing even darker from the blood saturating it. “My friend can heal it.”
He nodded slowly, his boots scraping the cement as he took a step towards me. “You're a first year, right? I think I’ve seen you around.”
I briefly glanced back at the door. There wasn't time to chat, but I also didn't want to be rude. “Yes. I’m Maeve.”
“Calvin,” he introduced himself with a smile.
“It's nice to meet you, Calvin, but I have to go before I miss the ceremony.”
I started to turn from him, but he took another hasty step, flashing me the back of his hand. His amethyst stone glistened from the flames that burned in the lanterns on the wall. “I can heal you.”
For a fraction of a second, I considered it, but my pulse quickened as he stared at me. He didn't blink—just watched my blood drip into a puddle on the floor.
“Thanks for the offer, but I really should go.” I made haste, strutting for the door as fast as possible without making it obvious that I was trying to get away from him. My hand locked around the door handle, but it pulled me in as it was opened for me.
Lucan entered the corridor, a smile splayed on his face. I backed up into the corridor and he pushed the door closed, leaning his back against it.
“Hello, Maeve.”
“Hi,” I said blandly.What was he doing in the soldiers’ quarters?
“How are you?”
“I’ve been better…clearly.” I flashed him my elbow, then raised an eyebrow. “Shouldn't you be at the ceremony?”
“Yes, I should be.” Lucan raised a hand to his mouth, faking a cough. “Unfortunately I am too ill to attend.”
I glanced back to see if Calvin had left, then swallowed down a knot in my throat when I saw that he was still there, guarding the staircase and leaving me with no escape route.
Dread plummeted through me.
I suddenly found myself very grateful that Sebastian convinced me to take my dagger.
Lucan noticed my breathing quicken. “Relax,” he said.
“What the hell is this?” I snarled, glaring at the king's advisor.
Lucan pushed his glasses higher on his nose, then in sync with Calvin, closed in on me.
