I didn't call for you yet

I knelt beside Nathaniel, my hands glowing with a soft blue light as I applied my healing magic to his wound. The cut wasn't deep, but it was bleeding heavily, and I needed to stop it before he lost too much blood.

"Hold still, Nathaniel," I said, my voice steady but urgent. "This won't take long."

He winced but managed a grin. "I've had worse, Aeliana. Don't worry about me."

I shot him a quick look, trying to gauge if he was downplaying the pain. "I'm still going to make sure you're alright. Just relax, okay?"

Nathaniel nodded, his expression softening. "Thanks. I appreciate it."

As the glow from my hands intensified, the bleeding slowed, and the wound began to close. Within a few minutes, it was a thin, pink scar. I sat back on my heels, wiping sweat from my forehead. "There. That should do it."

Nathaniel flexed his arm, testing the newly healed skin. "Feels good as new. You're amazing, you know that?"

I blushed slightly, brushing off the compliment. "Just doing my job. Let's get you to the infirmary to make sure everything's alright."

We stood up, and Nathaniel leaned on me slightly as we walked towards the infirmary. His weight was comforting in a strange way, solid and reassuring. Despite the rough start to the morning, I felt a sense of camaraderie with him. He was a good man, and I was glad to be able to help him.

As we walked, we chatted about mundane things: the latest training routines, the weather, and a particularly amusing story about one of the younger recruits.

"Do you remember the time when young Berin tried to impress everyone by juggling swords?" Nathaniel asked, chuckling.

I laughed, shaking my head. "How could I forget? He ended up in the infirmary with more cuts than I could count. Poor kid was so embarrassed."

Nathaniel grinned. "He's gotten a lot better since then. Now he can actually juggle without cutting himself."

We reached the infirmary, and the nurse on duty looked up as we entered. Her eyes widened slightly when she saw Nathaniel's injury, but she quickly composed herself. "What happened here?"

"Just a little sparring accident," Nathaniel said with a wry smile. "Ciara got a bit carried away."

The nurse examined his arm, nodding in approval at my handiwork. "You did a good job, Aeliana. The wound's healing nicely. Just keep an eye on it and make sure it doesn't reopen."

She gave us both a reassuring smile before leaving the room, closing the door behind her. Nathaniel and I were alone now, the quiet of the infirmary wrapping around us like a blanket.

Nathaniel leaned back on the bed, looking at me with a soft, appreciative expression. "Thanks again, Aeliana. You're really something special."

I felt a warm flush spread across my cheeks. "I'm just glad I could help. You're always so brave out there, training the recruits and keeping everyone safe."

He reached out, his hand brushing against mine. "It's nice to hear that. Sometimes, it feels like no one notices the effort we put in."

I looked down at our hands, the contact sending a small thrill through me. "I notice. And I know the recruits do too. They look up to you, Nathaniel."

His fingers tightened around mine, and I felt my heart skip a beat. "You know, Aeliana, I've always admired your dedication. You're kind, strong, and beautiful. Anyone would be lucky to have you."

The intensity of his gaze made my breath catch in my throat. I could see the sincerity in his eyes, and for a moment, I allowed myself to bask in the warmth of his words.

"Nathaniel, I—" I began, but I was interrupted by the sound of the door opening.

A servant stood in the doorway, looking slightly apologetic. "Aeliana, you need to return to work. Leora is waiting for you."

The adrenaline from the fight and the tender moment with Nathaniel drained away, leaving me feeling a bit deflated. I nodded, gently pulling my hand away from Nathaniel's grasp. "I should go. Duty calls."

Nathaniel sat up, giving me a reassuring smile. "I'll be fine, Aeliana. Go on. And thanks again."

I gave him a final smile before leaving the infirmary, my mind swirling with the events of the day. As I walked back to Leora's office, I couldn't help but think about how different things might have been if not for Ciara's intervention.

She was a force of chaos in my life, but maybe, just maybe, there was a purpose to her presence that I hadn't yet understood.

As I approached Leora's office, I took a deep breath to steady myself. The events of the morning still lingered in my mind, and I couldn't shake the feeling of Ciara's unsettling presence. I reached for the door handle, hoping for a moment of calm with Leora and the familiar rhythm of our work.

Opening the door, I was greeted by the sight of Leora and Zephara still entwined in their affectionate banter. Leora's eyes sparkled with mischief, and Zephara's soft laughter filled the room. It was a heartwarming scene, yet it made me feel like an intruder.

Zephara's white hair cascaded over her shoulders, contrasting beautifully with her deep red eyes. The black horns on her forehead added an air of mystique, making her look like an older, more mature version of Ciara. The love between Leora and Zephara was palpable, a stark contrast to Ciara's jaded outlook.

Leora noticed me standing awkwardly in the doorway and pulled away slightly from Zephara, though the warmth in her gaze remained. "Oh, Aeliana," she said, her tone still light and affectionate. "I didn't call for you yet. Is something the matter?"

I hesitated, feeling slightly embarrassed for interrupting their moment. "No, nothing's wrong. The servant said you needed me."

Leora exchanged a playful glance with Zephara before turning back to me. "Well, it seems there's been a bit of a misunderstanding. You can take a bit more time for yourself. We'll call you when we're ready."

Zephara smiled at me warmly. "Don't worry, dear. Enjoy your break."

I nodded, retreating from the office with a mix of relief and lingering tension. It was clear that the dynamic in this castle was far more complex than I had ever imagined.