Aaron opened the ward's door to let Sama enter in front of him, and followed her, removing his silk robe, revealing his bloody back, his stiff muscles, and his broad shoulders contracting and contracting with every slight movement he made.

Sama approached him, trying to read the letters in the old language. She gently gr

oped around them and asked him, “Is this my name in your old language?”

Aaron held his breath, letting her rest on his back, but she quickly turned away, disappointing him, so he turned to her, pulling her to his chest, blocking her further.

She pushed him away, warning, "Go away."

“And if I don’t...