The fire crackled softly inside the cave as the group gathered around. Outside, the cold wind still howled through the mountains, but in here, it was quiet, almost peaceful. Liora sat beside Kael, gently pressing her glowing hands to his wound. A soft, golden light pulsed between her palms, but Kael kept wincing.
"Hold still," she murmured.
Kael gritted his teeth. "I am still."
Serana crouched beside him, her expression softer than usual. "You are squirming like a pup."
"I am not squirming," Kael said through clenched teeth. "I just… don't want to scream like a little girl."
Ren snorted. "Too late. We already heard you earlier."
Kael shot him a glare, but it lacked heat. Sweat trickled down his forehead. "I am the heir. I can't afford to look weak."
"You are bleeding out," Serana said, gently brushing hair from his face. "That is not weak. That is alive."
