Energy shifted inside the tent. Tarek’s arrival had caused a disruption to Kade’s treatment, but he had Lyra’s attention as he tucked Kaela close to his body.
“I know what he did to you,” he said, his face pained as if confessing to his own crime. “To many of us.”
The words cut through the room like a knife. The head of the healers, who had been reaching for a fresh bowl, stopped in place. One of the older women at the herb table lowered her eyes at once. Even Nesrin, who had spent the past hour looking more irritated than surprised, went very still.
Lyra rose slowly, pinning Tarek with her gaze. “What do you mean?” she asked.
Tarek looked at Kade first, then back to her. He sighed, as if finally able to breathe freely for the first time in years. Shame was clearly written across hi
