“What did she say?” Caius asked.
“She wants us to help him,” Sidrick answered for Artton, his bulk shading me from the sun.
Caius’ slow steps crunched on the desert ground, and I tilted my head in his direction. His tempestuous eyes were still, as if pained. “I don’t have that kind of power, Nyleeria. Not for these kinds of wounds. And I’ve never…” He shook his head. “I’ve only healed fae before.”
“No.” The word flew out of me as I twistedin Artton’s grip toward Tarrin hard enough that I slipped from his grasp, falling to the ground.
“Fuck,” Artton bellowed, but I didn’t care. I just pulled myself forward.
Now by Tarrin’s side, I turned my watery gaze to Caius. Not willing to lose him, I slammed my hand down on the ground. “Heal him,” I bellowed at the High Lord.
Caius stiffened but didn’t say a word, and I didn’t miss Artton placing himself in a position that he could step in if he needed.
The High Lord looked to Tarrin, then back to me. Taking a small step forward, he knelt down on one knee. “I wish I could, Nyleeria. I truly do.”
“Please,” I begged, dignity be damned.
“I’m so very sorry.”
“Try. Just try. Please,” I cried, raising my fists and banging them against his chest. “Please.”
Caius weathered it. My pleas. My tears. My ineffectual fists.
Hopeless, I turned away from him, pulled Tarrin’s head onto my lap, and stroked his hair before leaning my head down to his, touching our foreheads together. “Please. Please. Please,” I continued to whisper, over and over again.
Artton shuffled closer. “Caius, we could always ask Myron.”
“He doesn’t know about her.”
“He’s going to eventually,” Sidrick countered.
“I’m not even sure Myron could save him—it wouldn’t be worth telling him and straining the relationship between our courts.”
“Please… please… please…”
“I don’t think we have another choice,” Sidrick said.
“I don’t get your meaning.”
“I’m not sure she’ll survive another loss, Caius. There’s more to consider here than Tarrin. She’s… she’s been through enough. We can at least try.”
I held my breath in the silence as I continued to hold my forehead to Tarrin’s.
Caius sighed. “Okay, I’ll try. The two of you get them back to the palace. I’ll apprise Myron of the situation, but it will be his call if he’s willing to help, and there’s no guarantee it will work.”
“I know.” Sidrick’s voice led me to believe that he thought it a fool’s errand, but he was willing to try.
Without a word, Caius valenned away.
Chapter 22
Needle and Thread
Still kneeling with my weight on my heels, I stared at the empty space on my lap where Tarrin had been before Sidrick valenned him away.
A sudden shot of adrenaline jolted through me, and I bolted to my feet, needing to be with Tarrin. To help him. The moment I was upright, the world spun and my legs buckled.
“Whoa,” Artton said, placing gentle but firm hands on my elbows to steady me. My body jerked at the touch, but not strong enough to make a difference.
