The next time he awoke, he felt like a different person. The first thing he noticed was how warm he felt. The second thing he noticed was that he was starving. His room had gone dark, and he couldn’t see anything or anyone as he looked around.

“Eric,” he whispered. A soft light started to glow above his bed, and footsteps pounded down the stairs.

The door opened a crack, and Hireth peeked in. “Can I come in?”

He nodded.

“Hey.” She pulled up a chair and sat next to him. “How are you feeling?”

“Better,” he croaked. Reaching a hand up to his head, he found that his hair felt silky and untangled. He wanted to cry, but instead he swallowed hard. “Thank you.”

“It was no problem,” Hireth said. “If you’d like me to, I can braid your hair for you sometime and get it out of your way.”

He didn’t know what to say.

“Would you like some food or water?” Hireth reached for a glass on the nightstand and offered it to him. He nodded and took it. She kept one hand on the bottom of the glass as he sipped it. For a moment, he looked away. Then, a flush crossed his face.

“Where have I been going to the bathroom?”

“You’ve only needed to go a few times, and Eric helped you.” She reached up to tuck a piece of hair behind his ear. “Your body is starving and dehydrated, and the more fluids and food you can handle, the faster you’ll heal.”

“I… don’t remember.” He looked up at her, disturbed that he couldn’t even recall what had happened to him.

“It’s okay.” She gave him a small smile. “I promise.”

After a while, he’d drunk the whole glass.

“Are you okay if I get you more water and… does anything sound good to eat?”

He thought for a moment, and his stomach growled. “Bread?”

She smiled. “I think I have just the thing. Do you want me to call Eric to stay with you while I go get you something?”

Illius shook his head.

“Alright, I’ll be right back.” She left the room and returned a few minutes later with some more water and bread on a plate.

“It’s black,” he said, gesturing at the thick chunk of oddly colored bread.

“Of course.” Her eyes twinkled. “All witches know how to make bread as black as their souls.”

He smiled despite himself and tried to tear a chunk off.

“Let me get that for you.” She tore the bread into little pieces and held the plate. Slowly, he began to eat.

A sweet taste of honey was layered into the hearty wheat bread. The crust felt crisp and freshly baked, and the inside was soft and still slightly warm.

“Really good,” he told her, looking up into her eyes. They weren’t blue like Eric’s—more of a light grey. She didn’t look old, but her eyes had the depth of someone who’d lived a long life. The lines between her brows were deeper than the ones around her eyes, and her hands were rough from work. She wore a single ring on her right index finger. A rich ruby dropped into a heavy, golden band. It looked expensive—almost like a family crest. Even when she took the plate from him, every motion she made was soft and gentle, slow and deliberate.

 “I’m glad you liked it. Do you want any more water?”

He nodded, and she helped him drink more. After he’d drunk about half the water, he pulled away and sank back down onto the bed.

Hireth put her hand on his forehead. “It feels like your fever has gone down a bunch.”

He nodded. “Thank you. You’re… kind.”

That seemed to make her happy. “Of course. Now, see if you can get some more rest. If you make any sound, I’ll hear you, okay?”

He nodded once more, and she tucked the blankets around him. Then, he closed his eyes and heard her leave the room.

“Is he awake?” Eric said from the other side of the door. He sounded sleepy.

“He’s sleeping again,” Hireth said. “He wanted some bread and more water.”

There was a pause. “Where’s my midnight snack, Hireth?”

Hireth sighed. “Come on, you big baby. One piece of bread, and then we’re both going back to sleep.”

Illius smiled to himself as he gradually drifted off.