"Ry, how are you feeling?"
Opening my eyes I saw that I was in the infirmary and surrounded by rows of empty cots. Beside me was Ella. I wrinkled my nose. The room smelled strongly of herbs and rubbing alcohol, and it was unusually chilly compared to the warmth of the barracks.
I sat up right away and stared down at my arm. There was only the slightest tinge of pink. Nothing else to suggest I had held it into a fire for several long seconds, and not a single muscle in my body ached. I felt as if I'd woken up from the most restful night's sleep – something I had never once experienced since I'd arrived in the desert. I took a deep breath. "How long have I been out?"
Ella looked down at me sympathetically. "Almost three full days. That burn on your hand…" She gulped. "It was terrible when the healers first brought you here." My friend gave my shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "Only you and Darren are still being treated now though – everyone else's injuries weren't as severe so they've already returned to the barracks."
"I'm surprised Byron let the mages heal us." I scanned the room, looking for the prince. I spotted Darren near the back, still sleeping and covered in blankets. One of his arms was hanging off his cot. He looked almost childlike with his black bangs falling to the side and his lips slightly parted. He looks so innocent, I noted wryly. Darren never looked innocent.
"Well, we are departing tomorrow for the Academy."
I had forgotten.
Ella continued: "None of the masters wanted a bunch of crippled apprentices holding up our progress to the school – it already takes ten days to reach Sjeka, as is. Besides, Loren told me they always do this after the mock battles. He actually said that we had less injuries than the one last year, can you believe it?"
I gaped. "Less injuries?"
"I know. My thoughts exactly." Ella grinned at me. "I'm excited for the feast tonight – the masters haven't formally congratulated the mentees yet and tonight the whole regiment will be there when the Commander gives her speech. Loren said they usually have it the second night but since you and Darren were still in the infirmary they decided to wait until the two of you were healed." She chucked. "It wouldn't be right if our two victors were unable to attend."
Memories of that battle in the sandstone gulley came flooding back. Many things stood out – Ian touching my face, Darren casting our barrier, the pain of fire, the sudden strength when I had been able to take control of my pain casting…
And Ian. Ian flying headfirst into that stone wall.
"So everyone else has recovered?" I found myself suddenly anxious. Where was Ian? Did he realize that I had tricked him?
Did he hate me?
"Of course they have."
I glanced at Ella and the carefree expression on her face. She had started talking about the feast tonight, going on about how excited she was for our win. I wanted to ask about Ian, but I was afraid of what she might say. Even though Ian had been on the opposing side, I didn't think she would approve of my tricking him. It was a rotten thing to do to a friend.
But I had wanted to win, and Darren's plan had been easy. Too easy.
If only Ian hadn't been so eager to help me, so innocent.
If only Ian had stabbed me in the back before I had stabbed him.
****
Priscilla found me later that evening, just as I was changing out of my infirmary clothes and into the outfit Ella had left behind. It would be the first dress I had worn since our naming ceremony, and the first one I could call my own. One of the perks of being an apprentice. With my new income it had been easy for Ella to talk me into buying it. Something special that an apprentice could wear to indicate her new status.
"Caine told me you and the prince spent a lot of time together in that canyon."
I spun around and found the highborn looking me up and down with distaste. "What do you want Priscilla?" I asked exasperatedly.
"You need to leave Darren alone. Whatever idealistic notions you've got running around in that head of yours, the prince will never leave me for a lowborn."
Not this again. "Priscilla-"
"My father is the wealthiest baron in the realm. Darren needs this marriage." She frowned. "Jerar has the greatest army in the world but if the Crown wants to keep it that way they will need my dowry. No amount of infatuation will change that."
"Just what exactly do you think happened between him and I?" I pulled the dress over my shoulders, marveling at the fluid blue shimmer. It was easily the prettiest thing I owned.