Ciprian’s face is wet with tears. Alistair’s expression is blank, as unmoving as the petrified manticore. Malach steps into my side and wraps his arms around us both.
I sag into his chest. “Y-you believe me, right, Malach? He’s not gone.”
“If you believe it, I do too.” Malach presses a finger to Luca’s neck—the side not coated with clotted blood. “Luca is a basilisk. Highly venomous. He might be able to withstand the monster’s sting.”
He’s calm. Steady. And as I meet Malach’s green eyes, my confidence grows.
“You may keep him with you until the sun rises,” Riven says. “If he’s not restored by then, I will remove him.”
“I’ll remove your eyes from their sockets and feed them to you if you even try,” I snarl.
Riven looks away, and his amber face flickers with static. Grim satisfaction settles low in my belly. If my tears or rage unsettles him, I’m proud of that.
My days of hiding what Luca means to me are over. Never again will I pretend he’s not the air in my lungs and the heart beating in my chest.
Riven won’t be able to understand that. For a while, I wondered if he might be more human than he seems. Today he proved me wrong. I won’t make the same mistake again.
He unlocks the door and gestures for us to follow.
I consider handing Luca to Malach so my hands are free tosnap Riven’s neck, but I don’t want to let Luca go. Not while he’s clinging to life with slippery fingers.
I’ll have to satisfy myself with a clenched jaw and imagining the veydra getting what he deserves. A painful death. Agony that eats him alive. A mind incapable of rest. I can’t kill himyet, but I hope the shame of his actions haunts him until he’s crushed by the weight of it.
As we cross the bridge, I fantasize about pushing him off. Is he exempt from the barrier? Would his bones break when he hit the ground like everyone else’s? I’d love to find out.
He unlocks the birdcage. I imagine slamming the heavy wooden door on his head until his brain drips from his ears.
My skin prickles as I pass him, carefully maintaining my distance. If any part of me touches him right now, I’ll lose it. Then I’ll do whatever it takes to kill him. The best I can do is pretend he doesn’t exist.
The bed is exactly how we left it, neatly made and enormous.
I place Luca on the mattress as gently as I can and drag the blanket on top of him. The others gather around me, silent and tense.
They don’t believe me.
Ciprian is barely stifling sobs, his shoulders shaking in the firelight. Alistair’s eyes flicker between Luca and Ciprian, but he’s shut down. Blocking off his grief, or his worry, or both.
My hands curl around the edge of the blanket.Could I be wrong?
No.I didn’t drag my boyfriend’s corpse into my cell; I carried an injured Luca to my bed. He’s here with me. I know it.
Malach bends to rest his head over Luca’s heart. He’s careful. More tender than I knew he was capable of. It’s hard to watch.
“His heart beats, my truth. It’s slow, but unmistakable. Come. Listen.”
He grabs my hand and drags it over Luca’s chest.
My fingers wobble against his bare skin, and I order them to stop.
The wait is endless.
When I feel theth-thumpagainst my palm, air leaves my lungs in a whoosh. I collapse across Luca and my shaking get worse. “Ali, Ciprian, come here.” My voice cracks, then they’re with me, sliding their hands beneath mine.
Luca’s heart beats again, and Alistair melts against my side.
Ciprian drops his forehead to my shoulder. “I thought... I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.” I lift my chin and kiss his cold cheek. “You saved us, Ciprian.”
