“Me too.”
“Let’s go check on everyone.”
Luna disappeared into the woods to hunt as they resumed their stride, Ava following her brother to the healers’ tent.
Dozens of straw beds were lined up on the ground, ready for the injured. Kai bustled about, preparing tinctures and balms on a long wooden table in the back of the quarters. The other healers were sorting bandages, bringing in small pots of water, and helping to organize the supplies.
Kai’s deer, Ivy, rose from her spot next to Kai as soon as she spotted Ava, trotting forward and nudging her hand for attention. Ava obliged, scratching behind her velvety ears and crooning to her.
“Hello, Ava,” Kai said, looking up from his work.
His yellow eyes were bright, but she could see the worry in his pinched brow, likely wondering how Jorrar had fared in the battle. His daughter stood next to him and squeezed his arm.
“He’s fine,” Isolde said. “Ivy told you.”
Ava approached and Isolde enveloped her in a hug. “Are you doing alright?” she whispered.
“I think so.”
Isolde pulled back and put a hand on Ava’s face. “My how far we’ve come.”
“Unbelievable isn’t it? You know…I don’t think I ever truly thanked you for saving my life, Isolde. I don’t even know how to express my?—”
“Your Highness,” she interrupted. “It is I who should bethanking you. You came back for me. And for that, I don’t think I could ever repay you.”
Voices arguing outside the tent pulled Ava’s attention to the entrance. The flaps opened and Raine entered first, blood dripping down his arm as he carried Maeryn, an arrow protruding from her thigh.
“I do not need to be carried, captain,” Maeryn said, irritated. “I am perfectly capable of walking on my own.”
“You fight me every time I do this, boss,” Raine responded. “You aren’t invincible.”
“Hmm…I said those exact words to Cas not long ago…” Ava muttered. Maeryn gave her a harsh glare.
Raine set Maeryn down, kneeling beside her and lowering his voice. “Perhaps I enjoy having you in my arms. Maybe one of these days it won’t be because you’re injured.”
Ava stifled her laughter.
“Now is hardly the appropriate time for flirting,” Maeryn chastised.
“There are no inappropriate times for flirting when it comes to you.” Raine tapped her nose with his forefinger and Ava swore she blushed. “Now will someone come assess this miniature volcano?”
A healer immediately knelt, preparing to remove the arrow. Raine took the bed beside her, crossing his legs and watching.
Jorrar and Quinn entered next, followed by Imsel and more injured soldiers, and finally…Casimir. Blood oozed from beneath his armor, a puncture visible in the leather on his torso. Ava rushed to meet him, pulling the armor away to see the injury.
“I’m fine.”
“Take it off so I can be sure,” she insisted.
He grumbled, removing the chest piece and tossing it to the ground before laying down. Kai joined Ava, kneeling at Casimir’s side. He pulled up his tunic and inspected the wound.
Ava sighed. It wasn’t deep and had mostly stopped bleeding.
“I’ll just disinfect it and it’ll heal on its own,” Kai said, opening a jar of blue liquid and retrieving a ball of cotton.
“Told you,” Casimir said.
“I know. I just hate sitting around while you all are fighting. I can’t calm down until I can see you’re safe with my own eyes.”
