Taní twiddled his thumbs as the endless lull of the ocean echoed in his ears. He’d rather that over the nurse’s yammering, though. That bloody woman complained just about everything. Be it transfusions or something as simple as a prescription. She’d just grumble, mention something about hating her job, then make an offhanded comment about Eleanor.


    Distasteful as they were, her moniker of “dragoncheeks” was rather amusing. From what little he picked up on, the two had attended Hierrsé during their youth. Eleanor, as expected, being a diligent, determined, and above all else, talented student. Much more than her peers if rumors were true. One relic was impressive, but the ability to Synthesize with two?


    As nightmarish as his time in the labyrinth had been, Taní almost wished he could go back in time and re-experience that devastating blast that shook the Firmament. The Dragon’s Breath… What a fitting name for an attack that seared away at reality.


    The more he thought about it, the more he wanted to know what it felt like to unleash that wave of primal destruction. Was it like being charged with all the godly energy in the Solanarium? Or maybe more like the shuddering jolts that came from holding a newly drawn phial of blood?


    Maybe I can ask her to do it again when we’re free. That’d be pretty cool.


    Taní glanced at the dark blue window. There would be time for that later, but as for now, he had greater matters to attend to. One of them being the terrible remedial lessons he would have to start soon. And he owed it all to his grades, that were somehow worse than his handwriting. Judging by Eleanor’s estimates, however, it would only take a month to meet “the Hierrsé standard.”


    Though he wanted to cling to his moodiness, his mind could not help but linger to that day. That kiss…


    Good blood…it was the softest, warmest, sweetest thing he’s ever experienced. Like sugar born to caress him when nothing else would suffice. Just thinking about it made him want to roll around in bed. Not that he did. That would only aggravate his leg.


    What Lavisa said following the act, however, still left him astonished. He, some no name commoner from Histell, had a reserved seat waiting for him at the royal court. Sure, it was only a promise, but Lavisa didn’t seem the lying type.


    Maybe if he was lucky, then she wouldn’t feel a need to marry. They could work together, laugh, and when they parted, she’d flash him her tender, regal smile. That sounded like a perfect life to him. Selfish as it was.


    The distinctive shuffling of slippers drew Taní away from his fantasy. There, standing in the slot, was Canela. Her heavy-lidded, festive eyes aimed at him.


    “Taní,” she crooned in a too smooth voice.


    “Oh, hey. Did you need something?”


    “I just wanted to talk.”


    Taní eyed her warily. “You’re not gonna kill me, are you?”


    Canela giggled. “No, stupid. I’m not gonna kill you. Not after what you’ve done.”


    “What do you mean?”


    “I’m talking about my brother, you thin-blooded dolt. Are you truly so forgetful?”


    “With all the times I’ve banged my head? Probably.”


    Canela shook her head with a smile. “Yeah, I heard about that nasty bump last month. You’ve got a pretty hard head. What’s it made out of?”


    “I think it’s something called bone. Don’t know. I’ll have to check with the nurse on that,” jested Taní.


    “Yeah, I wouldn’t do that. She sounds like she’s ready to crack some skulls.”


    “She really doesn’t like treating kids, does she?”


    An airy huff of amusement slipped past her lips. “Students claim so, but she quite likes her job. Not that it was her first choice. She wanted to be a royal physician, but this is the second-best thing. Nice pay, good food, and free housing. Can’t ask for more than that.”


    “Wait, she wanted to be a royal physician? How’d you—” Taní stopped. “Oh, wait, yeah. Connections.”


    “Enough about broken dreams,” Canela said, entering the room. “I came here to thank you for my brother’s return. Were it not for you, then he’d—” her voice wavered with emotion. “Well, he wouldn’t be here. You’ve done Fadénix a favor, Tan?o. Though more importantly, you’ve done my family a service. The d’Estrav?o’s are in your debt.”


    Taní tapped his cheek. “Debt? You don’t owe me anything.”


    “Pardon me?”


    “We’re Juneac?o. Preserving life is what we do. I don’t want rewards, or treasures, or even land for doing what I wanna do. I just wanna know that everyone’ll be alright. Just like I know he wants you to be alright.”


    Canela’s lips parted in silent awe. To see the intelligent yet prickly treasurer of Fadénix appear so lost made something spark inside Taní’s chest. Past all that crying and the tough exterior, she really could be normal.


    “You’re not messing with me, are you?” she whispered.


    Taní frowned. “Last time I did, you nearly gutted me in the reading corner.”


    “Yes, but I—” She blinked and smiled abruptly. “No. That’s rather forward. Forgive me for thinking otherwise.”


    “Apology accepted?”


    Silence ensued as neither knew what to say next. He’s been around Canela countless times, but this was the first instance of them being truly alone. It felt…strange not having her brother there. If anything, they seemed to balance each other out when together. She was outspoken and loud, and he was a quiet, people pleaser.


    Well, awkward would be the better word for it. ?zar was too socially inept to get a friendly conversation going most times.


    If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    Then came the matter of their contrasting appearance. Canela bore the distinctive dark skin of the Déqoish. Not a true ebony like the southerners, but a warm, almond color that complemented her unkempt, thick black hair (or was it styled). Her petite nose sat well on her round face, and though her eyes were a bit bright, they fit her well.


    As for ?zar, he was as light as a Coros Midlander could be. Perhaps even the Eastern Green, if that twangy, Nimmian-inspired accent was a tell. Being the only forested region in all of Corat?o, the place not only hosted the highest population density, but a mixed population of Nimmians and Coros.


    ?zar’s strong nose was reminiscent of those islanders. It wasn’t unsightly. His messy blonde hair and strong jawline certainly balanced it out.


    Now that he thought about it, they shared very little in common outside of their eye color.


    “Canela?” Taní propped himself on his elbow.


    “Yes?”


    “Are you and ?zar really related, or do you just call him your brother cuz you have the same eyes?”


    Canela gave a slight inclination of her head. “Huh? I thought our lack of relation obvious. We just happen to share the same surname, so I call him ‘brother’ as a joke.”


    The answer took Taní for a loop. “Wait, really?”


    Canela snorted. “God, you’re gullible. If you must know, ?zar’s my brother. My real brother. Or at least half.”


    “Come again?”


    “His father wasn’t mine. We share the same mother, but his father wasn’t mine.”


    “So…are you an illegitimate child, or…?”


    Canela’s shoulders tensed. “As far as the kingdom of Corat?o is concerned, no. I’m not. ?zar’s father was our mother’s squire long before he was born. You can already see why this is an issue.”


    Taní nodded. Juneac?o—tasked to guard their young squires—instructed them in the ways of Preservation. It was one of, if not the oldest code among the Juneac?o. To not only fall in love with one’s instructor but also desire a family with them, that was…


    Well, odd couldn’t even begin to describe it given the questionable age gap.


    “What happened to him?” Taní asked, keeping his voice low.


    “He died during a skirmish. Never once knowing she was with child.” Canela looked away. “Or so my mother claims. She chanced upon my father not long after, and in her grief, embraced him. It was true love. Sure, she was grieving, but he made her feel special. Y’know, in a way that a hormonal teenager couldn’t. Anyhow, they married before my brother was born, and even when they discovered he wasn’t of my father’s blood, the man raised him as if he were his own.”


    A nostalgic smile touched Canela’s lips. “Despite being second born, I was legitimate. Not like my brother. It was only through my father’s mercy that he was legitimized. He didn’t have to do it, but he did.”


    Taní tapped the bed sheets thoughtfully. “Doesn’t that mean he robbed you of your inheritance?”


    “Yes, I was.”


    “Doesn’t that make you…I dunno, upset?”


    Canela tossed a secretive glance at the divide. “Not in the slightest. If anyone deserves it, it’s ?zar. The guy’s hopeless if you aren’t holding his hand.”


    “He can’t be that bad.”


    “Not that bad? Taní, he confused salt for sugar for the last nine years. Do you even know how crazy you look when blending a spoonful of that stuff into your nightsip?”


    Taní stared. “Okay, maybe he does need it.”


    “I’ll tell you what his problem is: Thinking. He’s not dumb, he simply prefers physical activities to actually using that brain of his. It’s why he spends all his time training and gardening. I would say I hate it, but…” A dreamy sigh possessed Canela as she cradled her face in her hands. “I’d rather bask in such a delightful sin. His strength, his scent…”


    Taní waited for her to deliver the joke, but when she wouldn’t elaborate, he forced out an awkward laugh. “Yeah, I guess so…”


    Once she recovered from her…fit, Canela unwrapped a treat from Taní’s pile, then offered it to him with a drink. He accepted it with a nod, feeling thirsty despite all her talking.


    The nurse passed in the background, but before she could disappear from the frame, she spun and pointed. “YOU.”


    Taní choked on the sugary treat. He hacked up the ball, convinced of Ylissa’s intention to kill him.


    That is until she veered left, her eyes narrowed. “How many times do I have to tell you: Stop getting up! What, do you want to be like Sierez and hobble everywhere? Because if that’s your goal, you’re getting there.”


    “I—I just want to see him,” came a brittle voice.


    “You can see him when your legs aren’t sixty percent stitches. Seriously, I’d rather you not bleed all over the place again. Washing red off your sheets isn’t exactly the easiest thing to do.”


    “I-It’s fine.”


    “It most certainly is not. God, do you even hear yourself? You’re like a stubborn old man.”


    Panic flashed in Canela’s eyes. She whirled around with a spark of heat, her dark hair whipping behind her. Without saying goodbye, she raced out into the greater nurse’s office, came to an abrupt stop, then bolted towards the source.


    “?izí!”


    “Caní…”


    The nurse groaned. “Oh, great. It’s the weird one.”


    “What’re you doing out of bed, ?izí? You said you’d stay in it for me, remember? That you’d wait to talk to Taní,” Canela reminded him in a voice as brittle as Greentide ice.


    “I just…I need to see him now. Before I—”


    “N-No! You promised, remember? That you’d always stay with me no matter what. Remember that? Please, tell me you remember that…”


    A labored groaned, followed by the sound of something crashing against the partition made Taní jump. His first instinct was to check on them, but the moment he moved his foot, a sharp jab arrested him. God, had the swelling not gone down?


    A string of less than savory curses slipped from the nurse as she and Canela carried ?zar back to bed.


    “There,” the nurse grunted, “now get plenty of rest, water, and non-fatty foods. Also, try to hide your brotherly urges. They’re rather unpleasant in broad daylight. And you! Don’t even think about sleeping here tonight! I already warned you twice. I’m not gonna say it again.”


    “No.”


    “That wasn’t a request, missy. That was an order. Now leave before I—”


    Instead of uttering a defiant shout, a strangled sobbed crawled out of her throat. “Please…please. I don’t want him to die. I don’t. Please…”


    For a while, there was naught but the tearful sobs of a girl who only wanted to keep her brother company. Finally, the nurse heaved a long sigh. “He’s not gonna die, alright? I already told you that.”


    Canela didn’t care. She only sobbed, gasped, and begged (seemingly incoherently) to remain. Claiming that she would “die too” without him.


    “Look…if he really means that much, then you can stay. I just don’t want you sleeping in the same bed again. Wanna know why? Cuz you’d be hurting him,” Ylissa explained, her general irritation replaced with a tender edge Taní hadn’t known her capable of.


    Canela sniffled. “I never meant to; I swear…”


    “Kid, please stop crying. I already told you he’d be fine.” There was a brief pause before Ylissa continued reluctantly. “Okay, fine. Just go through my closest. There should be a futon in there. You can use it.”


    “R-Really?”


    “Yeah, whatever. Just don’t tell anyone. And make sure he’s fed. He hardly ever eats when I bring him his meals.”


    Canela sniffed, and when she spoke, her voice was devoid of sorrow. In fact, the lively tone of her voice betrayed excitement. “W-Wait! Maybe I can wear your uniform too! My brother says it would look good on me.”


    “Okay, you’re being weird now. Goodbye.”


    The nurse passed by his divide. She checked in on him, and once she gave him an estimated date of his release, bade him farewell.


    As she prepared to leave, Taní spoke. “Lady Ylissa?”


    She yawned. “What’s up?”


    “You have a nice heart.”


    The nurse flashed him a grumpy glare, blindly snatched several of his treats, then ate them in front of him before storming out of the slot.