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WE spent the next few days in the care of the Eisberk Cavalry Brigade.
After the salamander’s defeat, the rest of the monsters quickly followed suit: our fellow cadets, itching to make up for their earlier retreat, put up a remarkable showing in the mop-up efforts. The Cavalry Brigade’s performance was equally impressive, or so Wolfe assured me.
I, meanwhile, acted as Stern’s personal round-the-clock nurse, becoming skilled at applying salves and bandaging wounds as a result. Even so, his broad back was still lined with red, weal-like marks on the day we were to return to the military academy.
That morning, I smoothed ointment onto his burns as usual. The rising sun streamed into the tent, illuminating his manly physique—his large, muscled back, his square shoulders, his well-defined deltoids… Although I’d seen his body countless times, I felt an ache in my chest.
Suddenly, as I was dressing his wound, Stern tugged on my hand, and my face careened into his shoulder blades.
“Watch it!” I yelped.
“…Bern.” Stern’s back shifted.
“What?”
“Are you going to continue once we’re back home?”
“Continue what?”
“Continue bandaging me. In my room.”
“Of course I will.” What kind of question is that? Why wouldn’t I? “I’m going to remain by your side till you’re fully healed.”
Stern tugged harder, and to avoid pancaking my face I rested my chin on his shoulder. “Stern?”
What’s up with him? Is he worried about the wound? Back injuries are rough for knights. I placed my other hand against his back and channeled my magic, hoping it would alleviate some of his pain. Stern shuddered.
“Was it too cold?”
“No.”
I still feel like I should apologize. “Sorry.”
“Stop apologizing!” Stern’s grip tightened.
I hurt his pride, didn’t I? I swallowed yet another “sorry” before it left my mouth.
“It’s not that,” he said. “It’s just that I’d rather…”
“You’d rather?”
“…I’d rather remain wounded.”
“Eh?”
Stern turned his head toward mine, slowly. His face drew closer, our cheeks rubbing against one another, our noses touching. I tried to pull away, and when he didn’t relinquish my arm I braced myself against his back to lever it free.
“That hurts,” he laughed.
I eased up a bit. “Let go then.”
“I don’t wanna.” Stern nuzzled his nose against mine.
My heart started beating uncontrollably. I couldn’t breathe; I was completely flustered. What is happening?
“If the wounds never heal, you’ll have to stay by my side forever,” he whispered sweetly. His smooth skin tickled, his soft hair tickled. It felt like the inside of my chest was being tickled.
“I don’t need a reason to stay by your side,” I chuckled, only to be abruptly pinned to the mattress. I looked up in confusion, Stern’s amber eyes staring back at me. Their enigmatic sheen made my pulse race.
Stern gently brushed away some hair covering my face. “Bern.” Even his tone was different. The air inside the tent was warm and thick. “Promise you won’t say those words to anyone but me.”