In the past he’d healed fairly quickly, it was a natural gift to off-set the curse, but even healing had its limitations. He was exhausted from performing which had an effect on the process. His birch was not rested enough but it seemed only to be a small factor. He’d never had to worry about healing before but then again he’d never exerted himself like that either.
Eden set his arm down where she beckoned and just watched her work. He admired her focus and intensity. Something inside of him, that primal instinct, told him he could trust that she’d do what she could. He winced at the sting of the saline. That was painful in and of itself, but necessary.
“No,” Eden replied softly. “It was a warning bite. Tiger, a big one. I don’t know what experience these animals had before I came but whatever it was...well, it’s going to take work to change it.” Bites like these were given as a warning to others - a hint to back off, to establish that sense of dominance. But that didn’t make it hurt any less.