The door creaked open not long after, letting in the cool scent of pine and crushed leaves.
Finn stepped inside, wiping his hands on a cloth. A faint smear of dirt streaked his cheek — he'd clearly been out gathering more herbs.
"Still alive?" he asked, nodding toward Ray without much ceremony.
Zelene glanced up from where she sat beside the bed, wringing out the damp cloth again. "His fever's gone down a little."
Finn leaned in just enough to check, pressing two fingers lightly against Ray's neck. His expression eased — barely — before he pulled back. "Good. The medicine's working."
Zelene exhaled, relief washing over her. "Thank you… again, Finn. I don't know what I would've done without your help."
Finn shrugged, crossing his arms. "You'd have panicked. Maybe fainted. Elias would've tripped trying to catch you. Disaster all around."
Zelene blinked at him — unsure whether to be offended or amused. "…You really don't hold back, do you?"
"Truth doesn't need polishing," he said flatly, though the corner of his mouth almost twitched — almost.
For a moment, silence stretched between them, filled only by the soft crackle of fire and Ray's slow breathing.
Then Finn tilted his head, his gaze narrowing slightly. "By the way…"
Zelene froze.
"…you never told us your name."
There it was — the moment she'd dreaded.
Her hand paused mid-motion, the damp cloth dripping water onto the floor. "Ah— I… I didn't?"
"No," Finn said evenly. "Elias was too polite to ask. I'm not."
Her mind raced. Stay calm. Just… stay calm.
"My name's Lynn," she said quickly, forcing a small, polite smile. "Sorry for the delay — I wasn't exactly… in the best state to introduce myself before."
Finn stared at her for a long moment, his amber eyes unreadable. Then he nodded slowly. "Lynn, huh? Doesn't sound local."
Zelene's pulse jumped. "Oh, um— my family moved around a lot."
"Hm." He said nothing more, but the slight tilt of his head told her he wasn't completely convinced. Still, he didn't press further.
Instead, he walked to the small table, setting down a pouch of fresh herbs. "Make him drink this again when he wakes. It'll keep his temperature steady."
Zelene nodded, glad for the change of topic. "Thank you. I'll make sure he does."
Finn lingered by the table, glancing at her once more — his tone softer, though still guarded. "You should rest too, Lynn. You look like you haven't slept since last night."
She smiled faintly. "I'm fine. I've had worse nights."
"Hmph." He turned to leave, but before he could reach the door, Zelene's curiosity got the better of her.
"If I'm not being rude…" she began carefully. "Are you and Elias… related?"
Finn stopped mid-step. "What?"
"I mean," she continued, trying to sound casual, "you seem close. I just thought maybe you were brothers."
A short, dry laugh escaped him — the kind that didn't quite reach his eyes. "No. Not related. Not by blood, anyway."
"Oh," Zelene murmured, tilting her head. "Then how—"
"Long story," he interrupted, already turning toward the door. "And not one I feel like telling right now."
She blinked, sensing the invisible wall he'd just built.
"…Alright," she said softly.
Finn paused briefly in the doorway, glancing back. His voice came quieter this time — less sharp, almost thoughtful. "You're not a bad liar, Lynn. But next time, at least look someone in the eye when you make up a name."
Her breath caught.
Before she could respond, he was gone — the door shutting behind him with a low creak, leaving Zelene staring after him, heart pounding.
She pressed a hand to her chest, half in panic, half in disbelief. "He knew…"
Ray stirred weakly on the bed, mumbling her name — her real name — under his breath.
Zelene quickly leaned over him, whispering, "Shh… it's okay. Don't talk."
But deep down, she couldn't shake the thought:
Finn wasn't just sharp-tongued — he was sharp, period.
And if he'd already begun to doubt her story… their fragile safety might not last long.