The fever came without warning.
Sophia collapsed mid-step during a tracking drill, the snow beneath her steaming as her body convulsed.
“Move!" Caesar roared, catching her before she hit the ground.
Her skin burned to the touch. Her breaths were shallow, lips tinged blue. Her eyes rolled beneath fluttering lids.
“It's happening again," the alchemist muttered. “Residual curses. She's absorbing too much."
“Fix it," Caesar snapped.
“I can't," the man said. “Not without draining her. She's overloaded."
Caesar didn't hesitate.
He scooped Sophia up and vanished into his tent, barking for cold water and fresh snow.
---
That night was endless.
Caesar sat beside her, pressing crushed ice to her forehead, whispering words he hadn't spoken in years.
“You're not dying," he murmured. “I won
