(Amaia)
A bird?
With confusion, I bend down to take a closer look.
It flutters its wings and writhes on the floor. It's then that I notice the blood seeping from its belly. The poor creature has been wounded.
The black glossy body of his has dark blue and purple shades.
Its beak is open as if in pain, and the pale left eye is focused on me.
"Poor birdie, what happened to you?" I tug my parchments into my uniform and carefully scoop it in my hands—bring it closer to my chest.
From my limited knowledge of birds, I know it's a black grackle. One of the bird species which went extinct when the apocalypse hit our world.
So where did it come from?
It lets out a guttural croak, so painful that I am running towards the infirmary before I know it.
My healing magic could heal him but I don't want to be discovered again. Besides I haven't used it in like forever.
It closes its eyes and settles in my hands, its soft and warm body the size of a raven slowly rises and falls.
"Don't die little birdie," I painfully murmur and hurriedly enter through the door of the infirmary.
My eyes dart around for Healer TJ and I find him inspecting another student. He turns around to find me, and a small crease appears on his forehead. His gaze travels from my face to my hands.
"Healer TJ, can you inspect this bird? I think he got himself injured somehow," I meekly request.
He nods before turning to the male student whose eye has bloated to the size of a lemon.
"No more self-made magic drops. Use these for ten days." He hands the boy with curly brown hair a small bottle of drops.
The boy sheepishly smiles and accepts the bottle before hopping down from the bed and disappearing through the door.
"Where did you find him?" Healer TJ delicately takes the bird from my hands and places it in a tray lined with a soft towel. Adjusting his monocle he bends over and inspects the wound.
"He just landed between my feet when I left the hall after orientation." I watch Healer TJ closely as he picks up the swab of cotton from the other tray, dips it in some solution and begins to clean the wound.
It squeals in pain but stays put. My heart pricks at the sounds it makes.
"The wound is deep but it will live. I will apply medicine and give the rest to you. Just keep the wound clean and apply it in the morning and evening." With that TJ walks away towards the shelves where he keeps all kinds of concoctions.
Gently, I rub the top of its head, and the painful sounds subside. "Hang in there wounded one."
Healer TJ returns with some mixture in a petri dish and begins to apply it to the wound.
"Keep him in a warm box with a soft cloth or towel. You may have to feed him for a few days. Take him with you if you are up to the task, or I can keep him here, and once he is better, I will set him free."
So it was a male. For some reason, I didn't want to leave the bird.
"It's fine, I can take care of him."
Once TJ is done, he hands me the whole tray with a roll of cotton, a hand towel and the vial of medicine he has prepared for it.
"Thank you." I pick up the hand towel and cover the poor bird with it. His eyes are closed, but he is breathing, and I can only hope he recovers.
I take him back to our dorm and place the tray on the table.
Food, I need some soft food for him. So I remember the list I am supposed to make. Putting away my parchments and the map, I grab the inkpot and quill from Kacir's side table.
I grab the chair and settle near the sleeping birdie to prepare the list of everything I am going to need.
My gaze occasionally wavers to it, but it seems to be sleeping with its eyes closed and body heaving.
I am halfway there when I hear noises outside the door.
"So now you are going to sleep with her?" Rahria's angry voice comes through the door, disgusting me to the core.
"Keep your voice down, Rahria. Not everything is sexual. Unlike you, I know how to respect the bond and keep my hands to myself," Kacir's hiss follows.
By now I can understand what's happening.
"How long are you going to punish me? I am not going to wait forever."
"I haven't told you to wait. You are free to go, Rahria. Good night," he grunts and I try not to strain my ears and focus on the list I am making.
"We will see about that after I speak to your father," she threatens before I hear footsteps walking away.
The door opens and I try not to glance in Kacir's direction and focus on my list.
Quietly he closes the door and walks closer and pauses near the table. "Sorry you had to hear that."
I nod my head, "Mhm. She is your mate isn't she?" My eyes lift to stare at his pained face.
"Sadly, yes." Our eyes lock, and I see the same pain radiating in his orbs as in the one I carry, and I think he understands.
I look away and he drops his gaze. "Some day I will tell you."
"Whenever you are ready." I focus my attention towards the parchment.
His hand reaches out to touch the sleeping bird. "Where did you find it?"
"Fell from the sky. He was wounded so I took him to the infirmary."
Kacir grazes his head with his fingertips. "I hope he recovers. I thought grackles were extinct."
"Same. But maybe a few survived."
"Probably. I am going to change and turn in. It has been a day. Good night, Amaia," he softly says and moves away.
"Good night!" I finish my list and place it outside in the box provided for the very purpose.
Changing my clothes, I slip into my bed with a million questions about what tomorrow has in store for me.