The room starts to spin.
I’m vaguely aware that I’m moving—no,draggingmyself—closer. But it all feels like a blur. A nightmare and not reality. This can’t be happening.
We can’t be too late.
Flashes of gold rush at me from all sides. My gift pushes out, wrapping invisible tethers around the necks of each assailant as they fall to the ground choking. More come at me from every angle, and I feel my magic falter and escape me altogether.
I cut through them despite the agony slowing my steps, my sword hacking through the crowd like a field of thorns. I can feel the slices of their blades, I can feel the blood trickling down my skin, but I keep going.
Keep pushing.
The floor rises up to meet me, and I crawl the rest of the way to her side.
“What happened?” I choke.
“She stabbed herself.”
What? Why?
“No,” I breathe. “No.”
“Help me.” Zadyn’s composure has snapped, and before me is a male just as desperate and terrified as I am. Even Kylian is distraught—pouring over her with panic in his eyes.
I clasp her hands, hurling out my efforts to heal her—to stop death in its tracks.
“Come on,” Zadyn curses under his breath. More guards rush toward us, but Kylian stops them with a warning look.
“Please.Please.”
Don’t let her die, I beg, crushing her fingers to my lips.
In my head, I make all kinds of promises. Thoughtless vows, empty trades to gods who aren’t listening—who don’t care.
Fool’s bargains, I know. But it doesn’t stop me.
Tears roll down my face and onto her dress, soaking through the silk of her gown as I bury my head in her lap.
Come back. Please come back. This cannot be our ending. I cannot lose you. This cannot be over.
Her eyelids flutter a few times before she goes still.
Still as death.
Something in me snaps. My heart rips open as my anguished, choked scream fills the expansive chapel. The pain reaches a crescendo, swirling with the torment of her loss.
I barely even notice as Zadyn lets out a battle cry and tackles Kylian backward, latching onto his neck. They go flying back into the altar, taking out the long table and golden candelabras in their wake. Fire catches, eating its way across the dais.
I have no idea why Serena stabbing herself is affecting Kylian this way, this heartless, cold monster. But I couldn’t care less if the two of them kill each other. I don’t plan to stick around much longer if she’s not here.
I can’t live without her. I can’t breathe without her.
I will find you, I vow.
My fingers trace over her face one last time before I reach for the dagger.
The chapel doors fly off the hinges and the Stryga burst into the room with Mal at the helm. The wedding guests cry out and scatter like ants. Then I feel something that can only be described as the greatest relief of my entire life.
Her finger squeezes mine.
