The golden-eyes stare of a Sun was intense, but with how on edge the boy was, Marsa didn't feel like she could really ask the poor boy to leave. So she tried to simply ignore him as she resewed Orfen's stitches. Out of the corner of her eye, Marsa saw Racqein crouch far too close, his eye fixed on her face, then looking down at her hands, before looking back at her face again. Marisol, on the other hand, held her gaze on Orfen's face, periodically wiping the sweat from his brow with a hankerchief.

Finally, she finished the last stitch, exhaling all her held breath in one go. "He should take it easy. Stitching the same wound three times seems like it'd be bad luck."

Before she had even finished speaking, Racqein asked, or rather, demanded, "how long?"

Marsa was a tad shocked at the impatience in his tone and took too long to respond. Only when Racqein crossed his arms over his chest, did she remember to respond, "a few days at least, though I would prefer he rest longer."

Racqein's face was largely impassice, but at her words he started chewing on his bottom lip. Feeling a pang of sympathy, Marsa added, "of course, he… all three of you, can stay here while he recovers. There are plenty of places to sleep here in the temple… And plenty of places to hide if it comes to that."

Racqein tensed and for a moment, Marsa thought he was about to start running. Then he glanced down at Orfen's unconcious face, the werecat's brow furrowed as Marisol pet his hair in an attempt to be soothing. Racqein relaxed as he looked back at Marsa. "Alright."

"Racqein." Marisol suddenly spoke up. Her hands were balled into fists, pressing into the pillow under Orfen's head. "When Orfen is better… maybe we should just go home?"

"You two should go home. I never wanted you to come in the first place."

Marisol pressed down on the pillow harder, Orfen's head rolling into the divot she created. She didn't look up as she responded, "Paen, he…" she glanced at Marsa then swallowed, "he's after the same thing as you and he has a lot more help. And a head start. You should leave it to him."

Marsa sat impossibly still as Marisol's words hung in the air, afraid that if she moved at all something would break. Likely one of the poor children.

"I'll think about it." is what Racqein said after a rather too long pause.

Marisol squeezed her eyes shut and pushed herself to her feet. "I'll be back," she muttered, crossing her arms over her chest and shuffling quickly out the door.

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Racqein turned his head o watch her leave but otherwise didn't move.

After a few moments of contemplative silence, Marsa cleared her throat. Racqein's head snapped to her, as if he had completely forgotten she was there.

"I hope it's not rude to ask but what kind of Sun are you?"

Racqein just stared at her for a minute. Marsa waited patiently, hands folded in her lap. Finally, he said, "I'm a MorningSun."

Marsa clapped her hands excitedly, loud enough that Racqein flinched, though she didn't notice, and stood up. "Perfect! Would you consider giving some blood to Orfen?"

Racqein shook his head, "my blood won't close a wound."

"No, it won't," Marsa conceded with a nod, taking a step towards him, "but it will stave off infection and might replenish the blood he's lost."

"I…" Racqein's eyes flicked to Orfen's pale, unconscious face. He chewed his bottom lip as he hesitated.

"I won't make you if you are uncomfortable." Marsa held her hands up and took a step back again.

Racqein closed his eyes and took a deep breath, before striding up to Orfen's bedside. He raised the sword he had not once let go of and sliced open his wrist. He ignored Marsa's alarmed, "oh!" and pressed the cut to Orfen's slightly parted lips. For a second, Orfen didn't swallow and Marsa worried she'd have to step in or Racqein's precious blood would be wasted but then Orfen's throat bobbed and both Marsa and Racqein's shoulders relaxed.

After a few seconds, Racqein's blood flow slowed down and he pulled his arm into his chest.

"I could've helped you do that less messily," Marsa scolded, walking around the bed to approach Racqein, "let me see your arm, I'll bandage it." She stepped up to him, hand outstretched. Racqein backed away, holding his hand tighter to himself.

Marsa raised an eyebrow, "you let me help Orfen, let me help you."

Racqein's eye twitched but he held out his arm to her, his jaw tightening at her warm smile.

*

Racqein sat in a chair blocking the doorway, facing Orfen's sleeping form, one knee hugged to his chest. He slid his fingers under the edge of his eyepatch and pulled it off, shaking his hair out. He stared down at the eyepatch in his hand and spoke into the silence. "Cruxion… are you back?"

I never left.

Racqein clnchd his fist around the small chunk of cloth, "then why didn't you help?"

If I control your body too long, I risk being unable to return it.

Racqein's right eye glowed purple as Cruxion spoke, illuminating the barren room and Orfen's unconscious body on the bed. Racqein bit his bottom lip, no longer speaking out loud, next time, prioritize Orfen and Marisol's safety.

I will not. The prayer I answered was for your life and no one else's… besides there was little more I could do anyways.

Racqein pulled his other leg up onto the chair, hugging his shins and pressing his forehead to his knees. Maybe we should go home…

Do you wish to leave the princess in the hands of someone who locked you up?

Racqein rubbed the cloth eyepatch between his thumb and forefinger. I really don't care about some girl I've never met.

Savin her would change you life. All your lives… There is salvation in glory.