Chapter 25

The Incognito King visits the prisoner in her cell and leads her to a healing chamber where Bhea, a Runi with Dragonsight, begins mending the severe lacerations on her back. During the painful procedure, the King maintains a quiet presence, showing unexpected compassion while the prisoner struggles against both her physical pain and her resistance to his help.

The prisoner is singing in her cell when the Incognito King arrives with a key to her shackles. He frees her chain connector but leaves her wrists and ankles shackled, commanding her to stand despite her weakened state and mysterious cold sickness coursing through her veins. After she reluctantly rises, he leads her through prison corridors to a healing chamber lit by captured moonlight. There she discovers Bhea, a Runi healer with Dragonsight ability, waiting to treat her injuries. The prisoner is resistant and suspicious of the King's motives, threatening violence and questioning why healing matters when she's destined for the coliseum. The King insists the healing will happen, and when the prisoner attempts to back away, she senses him ready to chase her down. She reluctantly surrenders her dragonflame weald and sits in the chair. As she removes her tunic, Bhea gasps upon seeing the extensive damage to her back and notes something with her Dragonsight that makes her tear up—something the prisoner desperately pleads her not to reveal to the King. Bhea claims she needs more supplies and leaves. During this moment alone, the King shows unexpected consideration by asking if she wants to be covered and carefully positioning her tunic to avoid irritating her wounds. He kneels beside her, looking away from her damaged back as a mercy. When Bhea returns and begins the healing procedure with runes, the King holds her stare throughout, timing his breathing with hers and gripping her hands through each surge of pain. The prisoner warns him she still intends to kill him, and he responds that revenge is a lonely deity. As Bhea works, the healing is agonizing, forcing the prisoner to relive the pain of her wounds, but the King's steady presence provides an unexpected anchor amid the torment.