The competing magics screamed against each other, the autumn marks fighting viciously, recognizing the challenge, refusing to yield. Eliam's power pushed harder, and somewhere in the chaos she heard him speaking, commanding, pouring authority and will into words she couldn't quite hear.
The marks loosened. Just slightly. Just enough.
Air rushed into her lungs and she gasped, the sound harsh and desperate. Her knees buckled and Eliam caught her, pulling her against his chest, one hand cradling the back of her head while the other pressed flat against her back.
"No more," he commanded, and she realized he was talking to the magic, to the bargain, to everything that was trying to tear her apart. "Enough!"
Finally the autumn marks settled back against her skin, no longer actively trying to kill her but still there, still claiming her for Malus. Briar stayed pressed against Eliam's chest, shaking uncontrollably.. Her throat felt raw, bruised, like invisible hands had tried to strangle her.
"I've got you," Eliam said against her hair, his voice rough. "You're alright. I've got you."
Sian appeared at her elbow with a glass of water, her expression stricken. "Here. Small sips."
Briar took the glass with trembling hands, barely able to hold it steady. The water burned going down her abused throat, but it helped. She managed a few swallows before her stomach threatened to rebel.
"It didn't work," she said finally, her voice coming out as barely more than a rasp.
"No," Eliam agreed, his arms still tight around her. "The forest either can't choose or won't. The bargain stays with Malus."
"So we're back to killing him," Karse said, his tone carrying no sympathy, just cold practicality. "I did mention that was the simplest solution."
"Getting close enough to kill him isn't simple," Arion said, though he sounded tired now, the earlier anger drained out of him. "Not with the entire Forest Court protecting him."
"Then we find a way to get close," Karse said. "Or we accept that she belongs to him and start a war. Personally, I’m okay with either."
"We're not accepting anything," Eliam said, his voice carrying that cold authority that meant the discussion was over. "But we're also not solving this tonight. Briar needs rest."
"I'm fine," Briar protested, pulling back to look at him. "We need to figure out what to do, we need—"
"You need rest," Eliam cut her off. "You just survived having a bargain try to strangle you. You're done for today."
"Eliam—"
"Not a discussion." He stood, pulling her up with him, one arm staying firmly around her waist when her legs wobbled. "We'll reconvene tomorrow. The problems will still be there, and you'll be in better shape to face them."
"But—"
He simply turned toward the door, his arm around her the only thing keeping her upright. She wanted to argue, to insist she could keep going, but her body betrayed her. Her legs felt like water, her throat ached with every breath, and exhaustion was crashing over her in waves now that the adrenaline was fading.
"Tomorrow," Arion said, and she couldn't tell if he was agreeing with Eliam or just acknowledging the inevitable. "Get some rest, Briar."
Sian touched her arm gently as they passed. "I'll check on you later."
Eliam guided her out of the council room, his hand never leaving her waist. The hallway felt impossibly long, each step requiring more effort than the last. By the time they reached the chambers Arion had given them, she was leaning heavily against Eliam's side, her pride the only thing keeping her from asking him to carry her.
He shut the door behind them with a soft click that felt like a barrier against the world. The room was warm despite the open terrace doors, a fire crackling in the hearth and candles floating overhead in that distinctly Star Court way that made everything feel ethereal and slightly unreal.
A table had been set near the terrace, laden with food that steamed gently in the cool air flowing through the open doors. Someone had anticipated their needs, or perhapsArion had sent word ahead. Either way, the sight of actual food made Briar's stomach clench with sudden, desperate hunger.
"Come," Eliam said, his hand at the small of her back guiding her toward the table. "You need to eat."
She wanted to argue, to say she was fine, but her body betrayed her with a stomach growl loud enough to make him raise an eyebrow. Heat crept into her cheeks as she let him pull out a chair for her.
Through the open doors she could feel winter in the wind that drifted through carrying a bite that hadn't been there days ago.
"It'll snow soon," she said, the observation coming from nowhere, from the need to fill silence with something safe and mundane.
"Inevitably." Eliam said as he sat across from her, already filling a plate with bread, cheese, and fruit. He set it in front of her before preparing his own. "The Star Court keeps winter at bay within its borders, but you can feel it waiting beyond."
