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“She did.” Asterion smiled, softer than Ria had ever seen.
The little girl’s eyes widened. “Really?”
“When she was about your age, she’d ask our mother to make them almost every afternoon.”
Korinnae looked down at the sandwich in her hands as though it had just turned into something precious.
“Do you like it?” Asterion tilted his head.
“Mm-hmm!” She nodded.
“Words.”
“Yes!” She took an enormous bite.
The child looked delighted, and seeing the two of them together was…nice. Ria still wasn’t used to this version of Asterion. She lifted her own sandwich and took a bite. It was simple—fresh bread, butter, honey, and cinnamon—but she understood why it was a childhood favorite.
When she looked up, Asterion was watching her. Neither of them looked away right away. Across the table, Korinnae glanced from Ria to her uncle and back again, a grin spreading across her face.
“What?”
Korinnae only giggled and looked at Asterion, who immediately became very interested in his sandwich. Ria narrowed her eyes. Of course, he knew what the little troublemaker was thinking. She turned her attention to the girl instead and noticed she was down to her last few bites.
“When you’re done, we should do another check-up.”
“Now?”
“If you’re feeling up to it.”
Korinnae looked at the remaining piece of sandwich in her hand before stuffing the whole thing into her mouth. Her cheeks puffed out as she chewed with determination.
Asterion sighed. “Slowly.”
Korinnae held up one finger, still chewing. A few seconds later, she swallowed triumphantly. “I’m ready!”
“Alright.” Ria laughed as she stood. “Living room this time.”
The girl hopped down from her chair and hurried after her, Asterion following a few paces behind. The living room was quiet, save for the crackle of the fireplace. Ria motioned for Korinnae to sit on one of the large sofas while she retrieved her satchel.
“This won’t take long,” she promised.
“I know.” Korinnae held out her hand without being asked.
“You’re making my job easier,” Ria smiled.
“I’ve had practice.”
“You certainly have.”
She placed her palm over the girl’s and closed her eyes. Warmth bloomed between them. Unlike before, she didn’t let her power drift through Korinnae’s body. This time, she guided it with purpose, carefully directing a stronger current toward the lingering wounds left behind by the hunters’ poison.
The familiar resistance met her almost immediately. Ria pressed against it, feeding more of her power into the stubborn knot. Golden warmth gathered around the damaged pathways, slowly working its way through the invisible barrier. She paid close attention to Korinnae, who remained relaxed.
“Everything okay?” Ria asked.
Korinnae nodded. “It feels warm.”
“Anything else?”
