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“It kind of…tickles.”
Ria smiled. “That’s actually a good sign.”
Encouraged, she increased the flow just a little more. The resistance began to give. Not much. But enough that she felt the magic pushing farther than it had before. She opened her eyes to check on her patient. Korinnae appeared completely at ease, idly swaying her legs as she observed the flames flicker on the hearth.
Good.
Ria lifted her gaze from Korinnae and found Asterion standing near the mantel with his arms crossed. The color had drained from his face, his jaw clenched beneath the fur along his cheek. He wasn’t looking at Korinnae. He was watching the magic. When he noticed Ria looking at him, some of the tension left his posture. His jaw loosened, and his expression settled back into something more familiar. He was still uncomfortable, that much was obvious, but he hadn’t told her to stop. For Asterion, that counted for something.
Ria withdrew her hand and let the golden magic fade. She flexed her fingers once before reaching into her kit for a small glass vial filled with a pale amber liquid.
“Here,” she said, uncorking it and handing it to the girl. “Just a little restorative. It’ll help after the healing.”
Korinnae wrinkled her nose at the herbal smell but drank it down without protest.
“That’s enough for today,” Ria said with an encouraging smile.
“We’re done?” Korinnae looked up.
“We’re done.”
The little calf grinned.
“Don’t forget, Liora and Maldenis are picking you up in a couple of minutes.”
“Oh, right!” Korinnae gasped. She practically launched herself off the sofa. “I have to get ready!”
Before either adult could say another word, she was already racing down the hallway, her hooves clattering against the polished stone floors. Asterion watched her disappear with an amused shake of his head.
Ria smiled to herself as she returned each vial to its proper place. The satchel reorganized itself as she worked, small compartments shifting to make room for each item.
“How are you feeling?”
She paused because the question caught her off guard. Asterion was watching her, his brow drawn slightly and his mouth set in a way she wasn’t used to seeing. For once, there was no irritation in his expression. He looked almost worried. Then he seemed to realize she was studying him. His face closed off again, returning to the expression she knew so well. The usual Asterion.
“I’m fine.” Ria blinked.
“You’ve used a fair amount of magic today.”
“I’ve done more.” She gave him a small shrug.
“But you’re tired.”
“I’m managing.”
His brow furrowed. “You don’t have to pretend.”
She busied herself fastening the brass clasps on her satchel. “I said I’m fine.”
It came out a bit sharper than she’d intended. She wasn’t lying. She was fine. Just…a little drained. Nothing she hadn’t handled before.
Asterion still looked unconvinced. He opened his mouth to argue, but the doorbell rang before he could say anything else.
“I’ll get it.”
Ria followed him into the foyer, and a moment later, familiar voices carried in from the front hall.
“Hello!” Maldenis called.
