Pushed Too Far

[Ayla’s POV]

"Why haven’t you healed?"

Aera’s voice pulls me back to reality, where everyone is standing around me, eyeing me as if I’m an enigma.

Frowning, I try to make sense of their looks before I realize that I’m being cradled in Aera’s arms.

"If you see that your classmate is injured, why just stand around?" He demands, shooting them all glares. "Is this how you’ll act toward your comrades on the battlefield?"

"Leave them alone," I huff, knowing that if he keeps this up, I’m going to be the one who gets the backlash later. "And put me down."

As I speak, I attempt to break free of Aera’s hold, but he only tightens his grip, sending waves of pain through me.

"Don’t move," he hisses, beginning to make his way toward the academy. "Why did you even think it would be a good idea to come to this practice when your injury isn’t healed?"

"Why is that any of your concern?" I shoot back. "I feel fine and therefore am able to practice just as I would even if I wasn’t injured."

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