My slow-beating heart broke for him. For us. For what could have been. I didn’t say anything—I couldn’t, so I blinked at him, hoping he understood the words that would be forever left unspoken.
The world went dark for the final time.
I could just make out Tarben’s cries, but they were growing fainter.
Until they weren’t.
There was warmth. Glorious warmth spreading through my body.
My eyes shot open. Tarben’s damp, grief-stricken eyes widened in shock. He looked like he had seen a ghost.
Maybe he had, maybe I was dead. Although I’d imagined being dead would involve a lot less pain.
“Alara?” His voice quivered with emotion as he rested hishand on my cheek. His warm touch felt real, as did the lap my head rested on.I must be alive.
“The dagger,” I said, with great effort.
His jaw tightened as he nodded. “I’m sorry about this.”
Before I could respond, he pulled the dagger out of my chest.
It was a pain that paralyzed. A pain that rattled the woods from the sound of my guttural cries. A river of blood gushed out of my body. Without hesitation, Tarben tore his shirt and pressed it against the wound. I hissed at the painful sting of the pressure.
He shook his head and looked down at me. His gaze held a mixture of concern and awe.
“How are you alive right now?” stammered Hugo. I looked up and saw he and Filip were crouched around us, both their faces ashen.
“My body is healing itself.” My voice was a rasp. At the confused looks they exchanged, I went on. “The manacles were made from silver yew.”
Understanding dawned on Hugo’s face. “You’re Velcarin.”
“Mer,” I nodded. I could feel the skin around my wound stitching itself together and the color returning to my face—I was going to live.
Filip shook his head and swore. Tarben’s entire body stiffened. He stared at me as though he’d never seen me before. “You’re Mer?” he asked, his voice betraying his shock.
Looking him in the eye, I nodded again.
“I knew you were hiding something, but this…” Hugo scrubbed a hand down his face. With that gesture, he looked younger than I’d ever seen him before. “How?”
“I’ll explain everything later, but, for now, we need to get the antidote to Amalie. It’s in the basket on the ground.” I tried to sit up, only to be met with severe dizziness.
“Don’t sit up. Not yet,” said Hugo. He and Filip went to inspect the contents of the basket, leaving me alone with Tarben.
“You lied to me?” he said, quietly. Guilt clawed at me at the hurt in his voice.
“I’m sorry,” I said, the words coming out a whisper. “I had to.”
His face was taut as he said, “What does that mean?”
How could I possibly tell him about my bargain with the Crow without mentioning the fact that I came here with the intention of seducing him and breaking his heart? If he knew the truth, he would think I was a terrible person. I needed more time. “I’ll explain—”
“Later,” he finished. “Got it. Is there anything else you’ve been hiding from me?”
Before I could respond, Hugo called out, “We found it! How much does she need?”
“Livia said a few drops,” I replied, my voice hoarse.
I held my breath as Hugo carefully poured a few drops of the milky substance into Amalie’s parted lips.Please let it be enough.
