turned grim. “That the challenges are to get worse. Sovereign’s orders.”
A wave of sickness lurched into his throat, but he swallowed it down. “I suspect he’s looking for the strongest man for his Daughter. That he wants Her protected, since he couldn’t protect Her Mother.”
The Healer sighed. “I suspect it’s something else entirely.”
“Can I kiss him now?”
The blonde woman. Tobias had forgotten she was there. She poked her head into his line of sight and smiled.
“Pippa, run along. He needs his rest.”
She did as she was told, scampering off through the sanctuary.
“Pippa,” Tobias said. “That’s her name?”
“Yes.”
“And what is yours?”
The Healer raised an eyebrow. “You asked Cosima the same thing yesterday. Is this a theme?”
“Apologies, I didn’t realize it was a crime to ask who I’m speaking to.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Leila.”
“Well, it’s a pleasure to officially meet you, Leila. I’m—”
“Tobias,” she finished. “Goodness.”
“Goodness?”
“That’s what your name means. Goodness.”
“And what does Leila mean?”
She hesitated. “Darkness.”
“Your name means darkness? Your parents must be horribly depressing.”
Leila didn’t respond. Her eyes locked on to the center of his face, and only then did the ache of his nose register, pulsing deep into his skull.
“Is it broken?”
Her eyes shrank into slits. “I don’t know, let’s see.”
Without warning, she pinched his nose, and he cried out in pain.
“Yes, it’s broken,” she said.
Tobias clenched his jaw, fighting past the pain. Breathe. He did, then winced. Not through your nose, idiot. Exhaling through his mouth, he tried to ignore the sting, to tell himself it was trivial, but God did it hurt.
“Here.” Leila plucked a pink vial from her satchel, wetting her fingertips and dabbing the bridge of his nose. “This will help.”
The scent of rosemary filled his nostrils, relaxing him if only slightly. “You and your potions.”
“Are you going to question my work too?”
“No. I trust you.”
Summoning all his strength, he raised his hand for Leila to see, curling his fingers into a weak fist. His knuckles, raw and torn only days prior, were now smooth save for a few blemishes.
“You’re good at what you do.” He exhaled, letting his arm flop to his side. “It’s a shame I didn’t meet you sooner.”
“And why is that?”
“My sister. She could’ve used a healer like you.”
“Oh?” Leila tucked her vials away. “There are plenty of fine physicians in the realm, I’m sure.”
“No one fine enough to fix a broken spine. Do you have a potion for that?” His words came out sharp. “Actually, don’t tell me. I don’t want to know.”
Silence. Leila was frozen, and though she stared right at him, he refused to meet her gaze.
“Is she alive?”
“From the waist up,” he grumbled.
“She’s lucky.”
“How do you figure? Because she lived?”
“Because she has you,” Leila said. “She has goodness. And that is a blessing.”
Her expression softened, not with sadness or pity, but with an understanding that set Tobias at ease.
“Of course, the tournament has only just begun.” She looked away. “You have plenty of time to prove me wrong—to turn your name to shit.”
A laugh sputtered from Tobias’s lips, and Leila’s eyes shot toward him. “A smile?” she said. “On your face? That’s a rare occurrence.”
“I smile. Sometimes.”
“Ah yes, I remember—your laughing fit at the First Impressions. You got yourself into trouble.”
“You got me into trouble.”
Leila faltered. “Excuse me?”
“Your faces.” He thought back to the First Impressions. “While they asked their questions. Your faces were priceless.”
“You were laughing at me?”
Tobias studied Leila—her pursed lips, her twisted brow—and laughed once more. “What’s that look for?”
“What look?” Her back shot straight. “Am I doing it now? The faces?”
“No, it’s just, you look surprised.”
“I am surprised.”
“Well, what were you expecting?”
“I was expecting you to be watching Cosima.”
Tobias went quiet. Cosima. He had forgotten about Her. Again.
“Is he awake?” Flynn shouted from across the sanctuary, and when Leila nodded, he cheered. “He’s awake! The Artist is risen!” Leila turned back to Tobias, cocking her head Flynn’s way. “He’s been asking about you, you know. Have you made friends?”
“I suppose I have.”
“He’s a handful. Arrogant too. But he has a charm about him. Sometimes.”
“I imagine you could describe all the Lords in that fashion.”
Leila let out a snort. “Zander? Maybe. But the others? Charming they are not.”
“Is that so? Not even Beau? He seems to have charmed Cosima.”
“And it’s a good thing. He would’ve never survived today’s challenge.”
“Why do you say that?”
“You know why,” Leila scoffed. “The man has shit for brains. He could’ve taken detailed notes on how to prepare that antidote, and still he would’ve ended up drinking his own