Page 63 of Embers of Ruin

Onyx falls into step beside me as we leave the yard, and neither of us speaks for a while. It isn’t an uncomfortable silence, just a tired one—every muscle in my body aches, sand has found its way into places it has no business being, and my hip has apparently declared war on my body.

“I thought she hated me,” I mutter, thinking back to the compliment-but-not-compliment Mazelle gave earlier.

A quiet laugh escapes him. “She doesn’t. She acts the same with everyone. That’s just… how she is.”

“She definitely could’ve fooled me,” I huff, wincing as we walk back to my chambers.

“I’m sure you’re only saying that because you spent the last hour on the ground.”

“Did I? I hadn’t noticed.” I roll my eyes playfully, smiling up at him.

His smile lingers before his eyes drop to my arm and he stops walking. “Lyra.”

“What?”

He reaches for my forearm, hesitating before his fingers wrap gently around my wrist and turn it toward the light. His touch is careful, as if he doesn’t want to cause me more pain. I should pull away. Instead I find myself watching him—the hard line of his jaw, the small crease between his brows, and the concentration in his eyes. I can’t believe I wanted to kill him a few moons ago.

“It’s already healing,” he says quietly.

I follow his gaze. There’s a cut on my arm that was bleeding but the blood has stopped. Silver-gold light flickers faintly beneath my skin as the torn flesh knits itself back together.

“Does that happen every time?”

“Not always. Do you think a healer can’t heal herself?” I laugh weakly, and wince from the effort.

He gently releases my wrist. “We should get you back,” he says, and that's the end of it.

The walk to my chambers is quiet. When we reach my door, Onyx finally speaks. “Great work today. You held your ground.”

I let out a humorless laugh. “Held my ground? I spent most of the day eating sand.”

“And every time she knocked you down, you stood back up.” His eyes meet mine, and the words settle deep in my chest. I look away before the warmth creeping up my cheeks can betray me.

“I don't feel powerful. I haven't in a long time,” I admit.

“Most powerful people don't.”

I search his face for a long moment before sighing. “Did you? Before you became Captain?”

Something flickers behind his eyes—a memory, perhaps—but it’s gone as quickly as it appeared.

He shakes his head. “No.”

Before I can ask another question, he steps back. “You need rest, Lyra. I'll send for Talia and Grace to help you this evening.”

I wrinkle my nose. “I have a feeling I'm going to hate tomorrow.”

“Probably. But you will survive.”

That earns the smallest laugh from me. I might survive it, but I know I’ll sure as hell hate it.

He inclines his head. “Goodnight, Lyra.”

I smile, and this one is genuine. “Goodnight, Onyx.”

With that I slip inside my chambers and close the door behind me.

CHAPTER 16