Finn looks up as Damien charges past Roburn. He’s apparently exhausted the guards trying to keep him outside this small room.
“Let him,” I mutter. Things can hardly get worse.
My eyes haven’t moved from Sebastian, who is laid out on the floor. There’s only a wisp of his life to hold on to, a narrow strand that I am gripping desperately with my Talent. Finn and Roburn carried him into this more protected antechamber. I can’t figure out where the hell to start fixing him.
There are twelve arrows in his chest, in his arms, in his legs. I have to stop the bleeding in multiple places. I needtime, but I don’t have it. I’ve got all’s-cure; I’ve emptied the bottle already. But all’s-cure is for small cuts and injuries. Sebastian is dying. My Talent is his only chance.
Damien hurries toward us. “Did you send for Cygnus?”
“She’s working on it!” Finn snaps.
“SEND FOR CYGNUS!” he roars at the nearby guard. “RUN! NOW!”
“You are making this worse!” Finn shouts, turning toward his brother.
“At least I’m not just sitting around!”
“GET OUT,” Finn suddenly commands. At first, I think he’s just talking to the guards, but he looks at Damien and adds, “You too. Go for a walk or something.”
“Not a chance,” says Damien.
“Do you want him to die?” Finn snaps. “Lyria needs to concentrate, and you’re panicking. Please, Damien. Leave.”
I look between the two princes in alarm. The guards hurry out the door, and Damien turns reluctantly to leave. Finally, it’s only Finn and me.
I glance at Finn, who crouches at Sebastian’s side, clutching his brother’s hand. He’s impossibly pale, with tears streaming down both cheeks. If he didn’t look so agonized, I’d demand he leave as well. But what good would that do? He’d still have questions later about how Sebastian healed so quickly.I can trust Finn, can’t I?
I am a Healer. I have someone’s life in my hands. I can’t afford to hide my power anymore.
“I need you to let go of Sebastian now,” I command in a voice I don’t recognize. “You’re about to see something you may not like or understand, and I need you to sit down and stay quiet, or you risk your brother’s life. Do you hear me?”
The prince’s eyes widen, and I see several reactions flash there: shock, defensiveness, maybe respect.
“I’m doing everything I can,” I continue. “But if you want me to save him, I need you to trust me.”
We battle with glares. Finally, Finn says, “I hear you.” He draws up a chair while I turn toward Sebastian’s limp form.
I target the wounds that are bleeding fastest, cursing my fickle Talent. I needtime.I need to work slowly and deliberately, visualizing each muscle and vein. Too quick, I could lose control again. And if I kill Sebastian tonight…
NO.
There is no room for fear in this moment. I recall Cygnus’s wisdom: Self-doubt won’t help anybody.
You have trained for this, Lyria. You have done it before.
As I work over Sebastian, I pray steadily to the Goddess Elowyn. I beg her to save him. Not for me, not for Finn, but for Evermore. It’s clear which of Rodrick’s sons would be best for the future of the Elves. Sebastian is good. Uncommonly kind. I have yet to hear an ill word spoken of him. Finn’s eldest brother has what Davina clearly covets: the genuine love of his people. If anyone could lead the Hartlands to peace, it would be this gentle soul in my hands.
So I beg the Goddess to spare him. To give our exhausted kingdom this: One ruler who would try for compassion. One earnest leader, who would strike only when the moment requires it.
I start removing the arrows, one by one. Soon I’m sweating profusely, trembling head to foot. There’s one good thing: My Talent isn’t burning anymore. The absence is like a cool breeze, something I could have enjoyed under different circumstances. But as I’m drawing on so much of my power, exhaustion quickly outpaces relief. My legs lose feeling, and my hands start to cramp.
When Cygnus steps through the doors, my chest heaves. I have never been so relieved to see a person in my life.
“Get out!” Finn tells him immediately. He stands up in front of me, as if to shield me from view. I don’t have time to think about what this means: Is he protecting my secret? Is he not scared?
“He can stay,” I say. I meet Finn’s gaze for a brief second. “He knows.”
Finn frowns, but he doesn’t protest and steps aside.
