Raith looks annoyed and concerned as he kneels and actually places his big hands on my bare feet. Steam rises from his skin, making the air shimmer and glow faintly orange.

"What are—oh"

I sigh with relief as heat doesn't just pass between our skin, but it also envelops my chilled feet and legs. The stone beneath me even seems to warm as the scent of smoke and campfires fills the air. That wonderful cocoon of heat spreads from my toes and creeps up my body, almost like a lover's caress, warming me to the bone. It feels like being wrapped in the world's most perfect blanket, banishing the chill in an instant.

And part of me wonders if those invisible hands of fire are Raiths—if he can feel the perfect touch sliding up my body, whispering along my curves and most sensitive places.

It's done in seconds, and Raith stands, assessing me with those molten gold eyes. "Better?"

"Much… thank you."

He rests his forearms on the half-height wall and leans out, surveying the darkened landscape beyond.

"I haven't seen you here since the first time," I say after a while. "Does that mean your bad dreams stopped?"

Raith doesn't answer immediately. "No…"

"So you've been avoiding me?"

I study his profile, watching the way the twisted and burned flesh beside his mouth moves slightly as his lips curve down at the edges. "The less you know about me, the better."

I frown. "I don't think that's for you to decide. You act like you want me to think you're my enemy, but then you keep showing up and helping me when it matters. You warned me about Malakai yesterday, and it might have saved me this morning."

Raith suddenly looks up. "During the trial? What did he do?"

"He… attacked me."

His eyes scan my body, leaving no inch unturned as if he's searching for injuries. The intensity of his gaze makes my skin prickle with awareness. With… pleasure. He frowns as his gaze falls to my shoulder. I can’t say how he knows, but he half-raises his fingertip, almost like he wants to touch the place Malakai stabbed me. The place the water dragon mysteriously healed.

"He hurt you. Didn’t he?” There’s rage in the simple words. Barely concealed. I can sense it running red hot within him.

I open my mouth to deny it, but shake my head instead, shrugging. “He got me. But it’s nothing.” I turn away, hugging my arms to myself again as if cold, even though Raith's magic is keeping me perfectly warm. The memories of what happened beneath those dark waters… somehow, I know it’s not over. I know that thing isn’t done with me.

I sense Raith watching me.

"What?" I ask.

"You're not telling me everything. I heard things. One of the third years told me that⁠—"

"You're friends with third years?"