Unwilling Patient, Unspoken Truths

"This is going to hurt," I warned, my fingers hovering over the nasty wound on Rhys's arm. "I need to clean it thoroughly before applying the tonic."

Rhys's dark eyes narrowed with suspicion. "Since when did you become a medic?"

I bit back a sharp retort. His skepticism wasn't entirely unwarranted—the last time he'd seen me, I could barely stand the sight of blood. But four years had changed everything.

"Just hold still," I muttered, dabbing antiseptic onto a clean cloth. "Or would you prefer I let that magical infection spread until it reaches your heart?"

He flinched as I touched the cloth to his wound but remained silent. Small victories, I suppose.

The severity of his injury became clearer as I examined it. The magical blade had left more than just a physical cut—dark tendrils were spreading beneath his skin like ink in water. I'd seen this before, a corruption spell designed to weaken a wolf's connection to their inner beast.