“Peter,” she said, and she was upset, definitely upset, “what you felt when I was touching your head—do you think that means …”
He gave in to his trembling legs and sat again, resting his forehead on his arms. “Whatever magic is trapping me, it’s probably lodged in or around my brain.”
“If I break it, you might die.” Her voice wavered, unnaturally high.
“Yes.”
“Are there wizard brain surgeons? Could I find someone who would have the expertise to deal with this?”
“I can’t imagine. There’s no neurology program at the Academies, and this is too cutting edge a problem, anyway.” He sighed. “Were you giving that attack everything you’ve got?”
“I wasn’t, no. I thought I’d better be careful, not knowing how it might affect you.”
“When you wake up, do it again. Full out, this time.”
“Peter—”
“I don’t want to live this way—I don’t want to be at the mercy of the magiocracy!” He stopped, closing his eyes, which changed nothing because darkness was darkness. “I understand what I’m asking isn’t fair. But Ibegof you to try. Right away, before they take me.”
The only sound for a moment was her breathing—sharp intake of air, shaky release.
Then she said, “I will.”
“Thank you,” he whispered.
He tried to think of what else they needed to talk about in what might well be their last conversation. He couldn’t tell her he loved her, not now. That would simply make this worse.
“I’m so sorry,” he said finally. “For hiring you against your will, for baiting you to break the law, for the Vows, for entangling you in my weapons mess—for everything.”
“I know. I’m—I’m sorry about Plan B, I truly, truly am.”
He swallowed, the unresolved, probably unfair hurt feelings sticking in his throat. (No, not probably unfair.Definitely so. His apology list was far longer than hers.) “I know,” he said simply, leaving it at that.
Neither of them spoke for a long moment.
“Do you want to live?” she asked suddenly.
“What?”
“Do you want to live and come out the other end of this coma, or are you hoping I’ll kill you?”
He hesitated, but only because her delivery was so fierce it took him aback.
“Peter,” she said, ferocious now, “I will only battle this dragon if you promise me you’re in here, fighting just as hard to get out! Don’t youdaregive it anything less than everything you’ve got, do you hear me? Promise me!”
“I promise,” he said immediately.
“I refuse to let you give up or think this doesn’t matter! Iloveyou, and?—”
He waited for the rest of what she would say, blood roaring in his ears—she loved him? Seconds ticked by. “Beatrix?” he said.
She didn’t answer.
“Beatrix?Are you there?”
Silence.
His heart pumped faster and faster. She must have woken up. Soon, the attack would begin. He had to get out—he had tolive. Good God, shelovedhim!
