“No, no… I had suffered an injury before I left home,” I breathed, shocked. I pushed my fingers against my belly, low, under my navel…
Nothing.
No pain.
“Light, it’s gone!” I murmured.
“What is?” Terra said. “Did you have an open wound? I could dress it, or check it, or—”
“No, no,” I said quickly. “I had pain. A healing, er, problem. But it’s gone. I was hurting so badly last night before all this, but now—”
“Ah, you’ve been healed,” Terra said, her brows rising as she beamed at me. “What a blessing! It happens sometimes with the dragon bond. But what a lovely surprise—oh, well done, Akhane!”
She gave a little clap and smiled at me.
I was taken aback. “They can heal us?”
“Not always,” Terra said with a shrug, her pretty eyes shining. “Some of the dragons are powerful healers. But even among the others, the bond often brings some healing with it—the dragons are so much stronger and healthier than us. The bond brings some of thatlifeinto the Flameborne. I am so pleased that it happened for you if you were hurting. Can I ask what occurred?”
“I was kicked by a horse,” I lied quickly, the same lie I’d tried to tell my parents at first. “It caused bleeding and it’s been very painful.”
Terra’s brows shot higher. “That isquitea significant blow. Are you certain all is well? Sometimes when we’ve been very excited, or very scared, our bodies can smother pain.”
“I’m certain,” I said, pressing my fingers into the soft swell of my stomach. “It’s remarkable.”
Terra didn’t look reassured, but she urged me to eat again, and because I was starving, I took her at her word, sat on the edge of the bed, and put the plate in my lap. The food was delicious, and still warm, though the gravy was beginning to congeal.
“Would you like to sit down?” I asked her around a mouthful of food. “I can move the blankets—”
“Thank you, I’ll be fine,” she said, smiling as she picked up the stack of blankets and moved it aside before I could. Then she settled on the edge of the bed next to me. “I only wanted to speak with you, to take your medical history, make certain you have anything you need. Then I’ll leave you to rest with Akhane. The Choosing is a big day for everyone. I’m sure you’re weary.”
She had no idea, but I wouldn’t be the one to speak of it. I was just glad to be eating.
She waited for me to take a little more food, then asked me several questions about how old I was, how long I’d been bleeding, illnesses or injuries I’d experienced, of which there were few. I was able to answer her quickly.
“And that horse kick—how long ago was that?”
The food hurt in my throat going down. “A… few weeks?”
“Have you had a new cycle since then?”
I shook my head and looked down at the plate. “I mean, it caused bleeding. I wouldn’t know if they were the same, or—”
“How long was it between the first day of your cycle and that injury? How many weeks?”
I frowned. Suddenly the food tasted like sawdust in my mouth. “It was… I’m not sure… I think two or three weeks before?” I said quietly, then took another mouthful, keeping my eyes on the food.
Terra was quiet for a moment, then when she spoke, her voice was very gentle.
“Bren, I know this has been a trying day. And there will be many challenges to come. Part of a Furyknight’s life is prioritizing their dragonsand the work they do as a Pair over all else. You are a very pretty young woman and from this day on you will besurroundedby men.”
She left that statement hanging, and hang it did—a storm cloud over my head and shoulders that made my stomach clench. Still without pain, though.
I could feel her looking at me from the side and prayed my cheeks didn’t flush.
I didn’t mind men individually—especially honorable ones. But groups of them made me uneasy. Living and working here would be a challenge.
Terra cleared her throat. “Part of my role as a healer is to be a place of safety,” she said quietly. “Safety foranyone,at any time. That includes keeping the confidence of those I’m helping. Even—or perhapsespeciallyinformation which might be wisely kept from most,” she said carefully. Then she sighed. “I’m going to speak plainly, Bren.” She put a gentle hand on my arm, her fingers calloused, but clean. “I know a recipe of herbs that will ensure you don’t become pregnant,” she said very, very quietly. “I provide them to many women working around the Keep. If you would like some, I could—”
