Ember was up earlier than normal.

He had tossed and turned all night, but nightmares avoided him. Finally, he huffed and sat up. "Guess I'm up," he said as he grabbed a shirt from beside him and pulled it on.

"So early?" I asked, leaning in to untie our ankles.

He nodded and rubbed his head. "Thank you," he said. "While I want nothing more than you to return back home, I can't pretend that I am not enjoying the benefits of your healing."

I set the book down and raised an eyebrow. "What am I doing differently than the others?" I asked. "Surely someone thought of constant contact instead of waiting for you to scream bloody murder," I said.

He shrugged. "It's never worked before," he said, glancing my way as slid on his boots. "Which means my condition has progressed to a new point or you are special," he mused and glanced my way with a small smile. "I would much prefer the latter."

"Although the former is more likely," I said tensely. "Will you tell Ukina after the wedding?" I asked.

"I will never tell Ukina," he said. "She is starting her new life and can visit me on my deathbed," he said sharply.

"You have a bad relationship?" I asked, confused.

He nodded. "Ukina is the ideal politician's wife," he commented politely.

"She's still a fighter, but she uses ideas instead of swords?" I asked.

He chuckled and began tying up the top of his shirt. "Yes, in a way." He glanced at me. "Whatever you think of the Strapos family, our goal is always peace. The army is a means to that end. Whether we earn peace with swords or we battle for it with words. Ukina...she thrives on division. It's lucrative," he admitted. "Which is why I fear for that Becker boy."

"Well, you can be sure to give him your condolences at the wedding," I joked.

Ember winced. "If I make it," he muttered, sliding on warrior bracers. They were less intricate than the healer's, but still signified clearly.

"Wait? Why?"

He glanced at me. "Today is the day we are negotiating a peace with the south. It will either succeed or fail horribly. We prepare for the worse."

I cast my mind back. "Isn't your mother negotiating? I doubt she will have any issues—her deal with the seafarers was brilliant. They were pillaging the coasts for magestones, but they had no established army, so they were only an annoyance, albeit an expensive one. Your mother arranged a meeting with them and negotiated a trade agreement. Emory got a much larger trade network which drove prices up, and the seafarers got more magestones in the end. What they sold, they could take as much of a cut out of it as they wanted because they increased the number of magestone sales."

Ember looked at me, half confused and half amused. "Have you actually been reading that book?" he asked.

"I have to do something while you sleep," I defended, setting it back on his desk.

"Yes, that deal was brilliant. In fact, I would have far fewer concerns if she were the one negotiating. She has been cultivating this plan for months. But the Nomars passed a law that they will be handling peace negotiations," he said. "It is the stupidest thing they have ever done," he gritted out. "From what I've heard, I'm not sure Justice Nomar knows what the south wants. He just assumes because he has power here, the south will bow to his wishes."

I bit the inside of my lip. "Will you be okay?" I asked.

He looked at me, seeing the concern etched across my face. "Yes. Even if the deal goes south, the chances of an all-out war today is slim to none. Jack and Sam will be with me all day."

I nodded, sitting down on the foot of the bed. His scent wafted up and I took a deep breath. Whenever I slept, I could smell him in the covers. His custom was to bathe every night, so it wasn't unpleasant. I didn't have the luxury to bathe every night. Hopefully the bed didn't reek of me when he slept. A small, poisonous thought entered my head. What if Ember died?

I felt bile rise in the back of my throat. I rose and set my hand on the side of his hand and healed him. He studied me, intrigued by my sudden change.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

I glanced up. Should I ask? "Ember, what if...I joined you as well?"

I tensed as his shoulders rose slightly and he turned to face me. "Are you unwell?" he asked harshly.

I shook my head. "No. I just thought that having another healer might help," I said.

He raised his eyebrows. "Naomi, I do not want you in this camp...period. In what world would I allow you to step into a potentially active battlefield?" he asked sharply.

"Ember," I said, biting my lip. "What if something happens to you?"

He sighed. "Then tell Romina that I love her. Go back home and live the rest of your life," he said gently.

My throat went dry. "Ember—"

"It is a ridiculous thing to ask, Naomi. There is danger, but not more than most any other day. You are to stay here, safely," he added sternly. "If you really wish to help, you could give me peace of mind by promising not to leave camp."

"I promise," I said quickly.

Ember smiled. The tent flap opened, and Jack stepped in, fully dressed for the day. He was surprised to see Ember awake.

"I assume you couldn't sleep," Ember asked him. Jack nodded.

"I see the same for you."

"Good timing. I am about to head out. Naomi?" Ember asked. "When Sam comes, please let him know I will be in the armory or my father's tent."

I nodded. "Of course."