Page 118 of To Fight and To Fold

"I didn't even have to dodge anyone from Evergale. It's like they just… destroyed and left." Which was plain odd. Usually when Evergale took such a path, it was with a goal in mind: control. To seize the city they'd overtaken and put it to use, like they'd done with Timberscale.

This devastation made no sense.

Thea propped her elbows on the table, burying her head in her hands before hissing and pulling away.

"What is it?" Aaryn asked, drawing away from the kettle and— "Great skies, Thea, what did you do?" She grabbed Thea's wrist to pull her hand closer.

The tips of her fingers were red and raw from digging through still-hot rubble for survivors.

"My gloves got burnt," she muttered, and tried to tug her hand back. "It's fine."

"Why didn't you go to the healers?" Aaryn asked, huffing and turning away. She began opening cabinets while the kettle sang.

"They have much more pressing matters to tend to," Thea reminded her. "I'll be fine."

Aaryn took the kettle off to silence it and then resumed searching through the cabinets.

"Tea cups are in the left cabinet," Thea supplied helpfully.

"Get cleaned up. I'll deal with you in a minute."

"D-deal with me?" Thea sputtered, ignoring the flush to her cheeks. "What did I do?"

Aaryn ignored her, and Thea was bewildered by her attitude. "Okay, well, I'm cleaning up because it's naturally the next step before bed. Not because you told me to."

"Alright," Aaryn said, completely unbothered as she moseyed about the kitchen.

Thea stared at her form while she collected clothes, hanging them over her arm and avoiding the use of her fingertips as much as possible. Then she managed to wash, soot turning the water a murky gray until her skin was its natural purplish pink once more.

When she dressed behind the folding screen, something glimmering caught her eye beneath a small pile of clothes. She reached out and tugged it forward with her knuckle, and found… jewels like the color of Starspark. With a grimace at the reminder of Evergale, Thea plucked them from the floor. “I found your… your Tethered’s wristlet,” Thea called out.

A long pause. “I don’t need it anymore.”

“Alright,” Thea murmured, and laid it on the nearby stool. Just in case.

When she returned to the main living area, Aaryn was waiting at the table expectantly.

"Sit down," Aaryn told her. Before her were a small pot and a cloth.

Thea sat.

"What's that?" she asked.

Aaryn pulled the other chair to the side, closer to Thea. "I spent today with the healers."

Thea arched a brow, feeling something fuzzy in her chest at the knowledge.

"Don't look so impressed," Aaryn muttered. "I had one of the easiest jobs. Enya sent me home with this." She tapped the jar and lifted her gaze, lips twitching. "For you. I wondered why. Guess they know you well around here."

Thea's cheeks heated and she gestured at the steaming mug on the table. "Your tea will get cold."

"I like cold tea anyway," Aaryn said, and cracked open the jar. The slightly bitter scent of myrtle filled the space, spicy and fresh and green—and as it interacted with the fresh air, it began to glow. The healers had told her it’s because the plants were infused with magic through runes for expedited healing properties.

Magic was capable of so much. And Evergale didn’t want that? Why?

"Hand," she demanded, and held out her palm.

Thea placed the back of her hand in Aaryn's like an offering.