Ryan rubbed his eyes.
"Good morning, lazybones."
James's energy was back.
"Morning, sore loser."
"Seriously? Had to go for that?"
Ryan smiled and looked around the room. It was light out. He'd slept in. It was the first time since arriving here, that he hadn't woken at dawn.
James had already taken his bandage off. The burn looked dramatically better.
The angry red had faded to rosy pink. Most of the blisters were gone, replaced by new skin—still tender-looking, but healing.
"Damn," Ryan said, sitting up. "That healer wasn't kidding."
James flexed his fingers experimentally. Winced slightly, but the movement was controlled. "Still sore. But usable." He looked impressed despite himself. "I've never seen healing work that fast."
"Academy healers are the best in the kingdom," Jared said from his bed, still half-asleep. "Have to be, with all the training accidents."
James rewrapped his hand carefully. "I'm glad. Because we're going to the festival today."
