The chamber still smelled faintly of burning sage when King Lucian gave the order. "She stays," he said, his voice low but firm, echoing off the tall marble pillars of the royal infirmary. "Mia Ashford stays within the palace walls."
Headmistress Orla, who had been standing stiffly beside her, bowed deeply in acknowledgment, though her heart raced with a confusion she dared not voice. The girl—the human—had just done what even the royal healers couldn't. Leon was alive because of her.
King Lucian's gaze lingered on Mia for a moment, as though weighing something too heavy to put into words. "You may take your leave, Headmistress. I will summon you again when needed."
Orla bowed again, murmured her obedience, and turned to leave. Her eyes flickered once toward Mia—a silent plea for her to behave, to stay silent, to stay alive—and then she was gone, her footsteps fading through the long corridor.
