When the Healer Became His Curse

Nyx’s POV "Nyx, if you don't get up right now, I'm eating your breakfast." I opened one eye to find Finn standing in my doorway with his arms crossed, trying to look threatening. At ten years old, with his messy dark hair sticking up everywhere, he looked more like an annoyed puppy than anything scary. "You wouldn't dare," I mumbled into my pillow. "Watch me." He turned and thundered down the stairs, making as much noise as possible. I groaned and dragged myself out of bed. Morning light came through my window, warm and bright, and I could smell fresh bread from downstairs. I dressed quickly, braided my hair, and followed the noise to the kitchen. The kitchen was full of warmth and chatter. Mother stood at the stove, her long dark hair pulled back as she cooked. Father sat at the table reading pack documents, his glasses on his nose. Finn had already claimed my plate and was shoveling eggs into his mouth while six-year-old Isla sat beside him, singing some made-up song about butterflies. "Finn Marcus Silverlake, put that plate back," Mother said without turning around. Finn froze mid-bite. "How did you know?" "I have eyes in the back of my head." "Do not," Isla said seriously. "I checked." Father laughed and pulled Isla onto his lap. "Your mother has many mysterious Luna powers. Best not to question them." I took my plate back from Finn, who grumbled but handed it over. Mother set fresh bread in front of me, still warm from the oven. "Healing class this morning?" Father asked, looking up from his papers. "Yes. Elder Thea is teaching advanced techniques today." "Pay attention," Mother said, sitting down with her own plate. "That's important work. You'll need it when you take over the healing house." "Can I come to class?" Isla asked from Father's lap. "You're too little," Finn said. "It's boring anyway." "It's not boring," Isla protested. She looked at me with wide eyes. "Nyx makes people better. That's magic." "It's not magic, little moon," I said, using Father's nickname for her. "It's just knowing which herbs to use and how to help people heal." "Sounds like magic to me," Isla insisted. Father pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "Everything your sister does is magic. That's why we're lucky to have her." Warmth spread through my chest. This was everything I wanted. I finished breakfast quickly. Mother packed extra bread for me to share with Mara, and Father reminded me to stop by the healing house later. Finn tried to convince me to skip class and go exploring instead. Isla made me promise to tell her everything I learned. I walked through the village toward the learning hall, greeting neighbors along the way. Old man Chen waved from his garden. The blacksmith's forge sent sparks into the morning air. Children played in the square, their laughter bright and clear. Mara waited outside the learning hall with her arms crossed and a grin on her face. "Finally. I thought you were going to be late." She linked her arm through mine, then stopped. "Oh look. Your latest obsession is here early." My heart did something stupid when I saw Kieran by the window. Morning light caught in his dark curls and made his brown eyes warm. He was talking to another student and laughing, and the sound made my stomach flip. "Stop staring," Mara whispered, grinning. "I'm not staring." "You've been staring at him for two weeks. That's longer than the blacksmith's son lasted." I dragged my eyes away from Kieran. "He's different though." "You say that every time." "No, but really." I lowered my voice as we moved toward our seats. "The others were just nice to look at. Kieran is actually kind. Like, genuinely kind. Yesterday I saw him helping Elder Thea carry supplies without being asked, and his hands were so gentle when he was wrapping that practice injury, and did you see how patient he was with the younger students? And his smile, Moon Goddess, his smile is just—" "Breathing, Nyx. Try breathing," Mara interrupted, laughing. I realized I'd been talking too fast, the words tumbling out without permission. Heat rushed to my face. "I sound ridiculous." "You sound like you're really into him." Mara bumped my shoulder. "It's kind of cute actually. I've never seen you this flustered over anyone." "I'm not flustered." "You just listed five things you like about him without taking a breath." Before I could defend myself, Kieran looked over and caught me staring. He smiled and raised his hand in a small wave. My brain completely stopped working. "Hi," I blurted out, probably too loud. Then, because apparently I couldn't help myself, I added, "Your hair looks really good today." Mara choked on a laugh beside me. Kieran's smile widened, looking a bit surprised but pleased. "Uh, thanks?" I wanted the floor to open up and swallow me. "I mean, it always looks good. Not just today. I wasn't implying it looked bad other days. It's just particularly nice right now with the light and—" I caught Mara's desperate expression telling me to stop talking. "I'm going to sit down now." I practically fled to my seat, my face burning. Mara followed, shaking with silent laughter. "Your hair looks really good today?" she whispered. "That's what you went with?" "Shut up. I panicked." "Clearly." She grinned. "But he smiled, so maybe it worked?" "Or maybe he thinks I'm completely insane." "Well, you did just compliment his hair at an extremely weird volume." I buried my face in my hands. "Why am I like this?" "Because you actually like him. It's adorable and painful to watch." Elder Thea entered the room and class began. I tried to focus on the lesson, really I did, but my eyes kept drifting to Kieran three rows ahead. He took careful notes and asked thoughtful questions. When Elder Thea had him demonstrate how to wrap an injury, his hands were steady and gentle, just like I'd said. Everything about him was different from my usual crushes. This wasn't just appreciation for a pretty face. This felt real. By the time class ended, I still hadn't recovered from my earlier embarrassment. Mara gave me a knowing look but didn't push. We headed to the healing house to help restock supplies, sorting herbs into jars while the afternoon sun streamed through the windows. "You should just talk to him," Mara said as we worked. "Properly this time. Without commenting on his hair." "What if he thinks I'm weird after this morning?" "Everyone already thinks you're weird. You're the Alpha's daughter who crushes on a different guy every month." Mara grinned. "But this time it's real, so you should actually do something about it. Just maybe prepare what you're going to say first." She was right. I was tired of wondering what if. "Okay," I said, making a decision. "I'll talk to him today. After evening class. I'll tell him I like him and see what happens." "Really?" "Really. And I promise not to mention his hair." "That's my brave friend." Mara bumped her shoulder into mine. "I'll come with you for support. Moral support only. I'm not saving you if you start complimenting his eyebrows or something." "I wouldn't do that." "You absolutely would." We finished our work and headed home for the midday meal. Father asked about class and Mother reminded me to eat properly. Isla wanted to hear everything I'd learned, and Finn complained about not being allowed in the advanced sessions yet. Everything felt wonderfully normal and ordinary and safe. But my heart kept racing every time I thought about talking to Kieran later. Today I would be brave. Today I would tell him I liked him and see if maybe, just maybe, he felt the same way. Evening came too quickly and not quickly enough. I changed into my best dress, the blue one Mother said brought out my eyes. I checked my reflection in the water bucket and Mara caught me. "You look beautiful," she said. "He'd be crazy not to like you back. Just remember, no commenting on his physical features unless it's a normal compliment." "I know, I know." We walked to the learning hall as the sun sank toward the mountains. Other students were already gathering for evening practice. I spotted Kieran near the training posts, working on his stance. "Go," Mara whispered. "Before you lose your nerve. And before you start overthinking what to say." Too late. I was already overthinking. I took a deep breath and started walking toward him anyway. My hands were shaking and my heart pounded too fast, but I kept going. This was just a boy. Just a crush. Except it felt like so much more than that. Kieran looked up as I approached and smiled. "Hey, Nyx. Hair compliments round two?" My face immediately went hot. "I'm so sorry about this morning. I don't know why I said that." "Don't be sorry. It was kind of sweet." His smile was warm and genuine. "Did you need something?" Yes. Courage. A working brain. The ability to speak like a normal person. "I wanted to ask you something," I managed. "Sure." He set down the training post and gave me his full attention. Something in his expression made me think maybe he'd been hoping I'd talk to him. Maybe this wouldn't be so scary after all. This was it. I was really doing this. My heart felt too big for my chest. "I just wanted to say that I really like—" A blood-curdling scream ripped through the air, so raw and full of terror that it made my blood run cold.