I wiped the blood from my nose with the back of my hand, staring at the smear of red.

Neural strain. Great.

Stuffing the cloth back into my pocket, I pushed open the infirmary door.

It was quiet, lit by a few low lanterns that cast warm, flickering light across the beds. Most were empty, just Kyle's bed near the back and one other patient sleeping soundly a few rows over.

I walked toward Kyle's bed, fully expecting to find him doing something idiotic.

Instead, he was lying down.

Actually lying down.

Under the blankets. Head on the pillow. Eyes closed. Looking peaceful.

I stopped mid-step, blinking.

What.

No way.

I approached slowly, suspicious, and leaned over him.

Still lying down. Still relaxed. Not even fidgeting.

This has to be a trick.

I reached out and pressed the back of my hand against his forehead, checking for fever.

Kyle's eyes snapped open immediately. "What are you—?"

"Checking if you're dying," I said flatly. "Because this is suspicious."

He swatted my hand away, grinning. "I can behave, you know."

"No, you can't."

"I can!"

He gestured at himself, still tucked under the blankets. "See? Completely still. Resting. Like a good patient."

I stared at him, unconvinced.

Something's wrong. He's never this cooperative.

Before I could interrogate him further, the door opened.

The healer's assistant stepped in, carrying a small wooden tray laden with medicine vials and a bowl of fruit. Her hair was tied back in the same simple braid, and she wore the same tired but kind expression I'd seen before.

She walked over to Kyle's bed, setting the tray down on the side table.

Then she saw him.

Lying down. Resting. Not causing trouble.

Her face lit up with a genuine smile. "You're actually resting today."

Kyle beamed like a dog who'd just been told he was a good boy. "Yep! Just like you told me to."

"I'm so proud of you," she said warmly, adjusting his blankets slightly. "This is exactly what you need to heal properly. Keep this up, and you'll be back on your feet in no time."

"Really?" Kyle's grin widened. "You think so?"

"I know so." She patted his shoulder gently. "You're doing wonderfully."

Kyle practically glowed.

I looked at him.

Then at her.

Then back at him.

Oh.

Oh, you've got to be kidding me.

I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. "So this is why you're behaving."

Kyle shot me a look that was half sheepish, half defiant. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Sure you don't."

The assistant turned her attention to me, and her expression shifted slightly, still kind, but more professional. "You're his roommate, correct?"

"Yeah."

She picked up a small cloth bag from the tray and held it out to me. "Here. Medicine for Kyle. He'll need one dose in the morning and one in the evening. Mix it with water, about this much." She gestured with her fingers, indicating a cup's worth.

"And make sure he eats. Fruit, bread, something light. His body needs energy to heal."

I took the bag, feeling the weight of the glass vials inside. "Got it."

She also handed me the bowl of fruit, apples, pears, a few berries. "This is for him as well. Make sure he finishes it."

"I'm not a child," Kyle protested.

She gave him a look—the kind that said yes, you are—and he immediately shut up.

I bit back a smirk.

The assistant turned back to me, her expression softening again. "Thank you for taking care of him. I know he can be... difficult."

"That's one word for it."

Kyle groaned. "I'm right here."

She smiled faintly, then paused.

Her gaze shifted to my face, lingering. Her brow furrowed slightly.

"You look pale," she said quietly.

I blinked. "I'm fine."

"Are you sure?" She stepped closer, studying me. "You're sweating, and your hands are shaking."

I glanced down. She was right. My hands were trembling slightly.

Damn neural strain.

"I'm fine," I repeated, more firmly this time. "Just tired."

"You're not fine." Her tone shifted, still gentle, but with an edge of concern that didn't allow for argument. "Let me help."

"I don't need—"

"Please." She looked at me earnestly. "It will only take a moment."

I hesitated.

She's not going to let this go.

"Fine."

She nodded, then reached for her belt—likely for her wand—but stopped, blinking. "Oh. I didn't bring it."

She looked back at me, then made a decision.

"Sit down," she said, gesturing to the chair beside Kyle's bed.

I sat reluctantly.

She stepped closer, her expression calm and focused and placed both hands gently on my temples.

Warmth spread from her fingertips.

It wasn't heat, but something softer, lighter, like sunlight filtering through water. The warmth seeped into my skull, easing the pressure behind my eyes, soothing the throbbing ache that had been pounding there since the training grounds.

The tension in my shoulders loosened. My breathing steadied.

I exhaled slowly, my body relaxing despite myself.

"Better?" she asked softly.

"Yeah," I admitted. "Better."

She pulled her hands back, and the warmth faded.

Then she blinked.

"Huh?"

She looked down at her hands, turning them over like she'd just noticed something wrong. Then she touched her nose, checking for something, blood, maybe?

Nothing.

I watched her, frowning. "Is something wrong?"

She startled, looking up at me quickly. "No. It's nothing."

That's not convincing.

But before I could press, she turned back to Kyle, her professional demeanor sliding back into place.

"One more time," she said gently. "Rest. Eat the fruit. Take the medicine. And no training."

"Yes, ma'am," Kyle said, still grinning like an idiot.

She smiled at him, warm and genuine, then turned back to me.

"May I ask your name?" she said, her tone polite, almost formal.

"Jin. Jin Raith."

Her expression didn't shift, but something flickered in her eyes.

She placed one hand over her chest and bowed slightly. "I'm Aria Valenor. It's a pleasure to meet you, Jin."

Valenor?

That's not a common name.

"Likewise," I said.

She straightened, giving Kyle one last encouraging smile, then turned and walked toward the door.

"Good night, Aria!" Kyle chirped.

"Good night!" She replied opening the door, then glanced back at me, just for a second.

Then she was gone.

The door clicked shut.

Kyle let out a long, dreamy sigh. "She's amazing."

I stared at the closed door, my mind turning over that last look.

Aria Valenor.

And why had she checked her hands like something had gone wrong?

I rubbed my temples, the dull ache still lingering despite her healing.

One more thing to add to the list of things that don't make sense.

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