Valtira.
The words were quiet, but they struck me hard.
I stepped toward him immediately. I didn’t think. I didn’t question. I knelt beside him, my fingers brushing lightly over the bandage on his side, afraid of hurting him, and still afraid of doing nothing at all.
“Here?” I asked. My voice sounded too fragile.
He didn’t answer with words. His jaw tightened just slightly, his breath caught and that was enough.
I swallowed hard, my throat tightening. “Don’t move. Just… stay still.” My voice came out softer than I intended. “Your body’s burning hot. You could make the poison spread faster.”
I started to reach for the pitcher of water on the table, but before I could stand, his hand came up, his fingers around my wrist.
I froze. His eyes were darker than usual.
“You really do care a
