I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out. My tongue was completely numb. Aching shivers wracked my body, and I slumped against the wall, suddenly dizzy again. The usual clarity I’d associated with sparkwood apples was gone. Instead, the fever only intensified, making me feel hot and cold all at once.
“And when I cut them down because they interfered with my magic, youcried,” Theron spat, his face continuing to shift. His tan skin paled until it was bone-white. His eyes brightened to a light brown.
“You—You—” My tongue was so heavy. Why couldn’t I speak?
My eyes fell to the apple in my hand. It was oozing a bright green liquid. With a yelp, I dropped it, but it was too late. The damage had been done.
When I looked at Theron again, it wasn’t Theron at all.
It was Calista, still wearing that triumphant smile.
“I only had a few drops of your blood,” she continued, her voice oozing with glee. “I had to save it for the perfect moment. Your human blood weakens my control over you, unfortunately. My powers are most effective with full-blooded fae. But once you were in Tolston, I could sense you. And I could sensethis.”
She lifted the hand mirror. She must have pulled it from my bag. I tried to reach for it, but my arms wouldn’t move.
“I commanded you to bring me the mirror, and this was as far as you got before the fever claimed you.” She clicked her tongue as if chiding me. “Pathetic. My poison from years ago must have been stronger than I thought. I almost didn’t need to fill you with more of it. But I didn’t want to take any chances.”
Fire consumed my veins as the poison destroyed my body from the inside out. I had been fighting one dose of her poison already—and I’d been losing.
She had now filled me with another dose. It was over.
“Goodbye, Snow Princess,” said Calista.
She had won. She had poisoned me—again.
And this time, there was no escape. I couldn’t turn invisible and flee like before; I was far too weak.
I’m sorry, Father,I thought in despair.I failed you.
The fire was spreading much more quickly now. Perhaps it was the poison already lingering in my blood. Or perhaps Calista had somehow given me a stronger dose of it.
But I only had moments left. My consciousness was fading fast.
Scream,I told myself.You have to scream. Now!
I drew in a long breath, but darkness pressed in on me, threatening to consume me.
Scream, Eira!
The voice in my head sounded like Theron. If he were here with me, he would shout at me to hold on. To withstand the poison coursing through my veins.
Scream!
I opened my mouth wide and unleashed a piercing shriek that bounced off the walls, resonating in the castle like a shrill siren.
Calista smacked me across the face, silencing me. The pain of her strike sent me over the edge, and I blacked out.
Sleep,Theron,a soothing voice crooned.
So, I slept. A small, nagging part of my mind asked,Why?
But the command resonated so firmly within my body that I had no choice but to obey. I was so very, very tired.
Why was I tired? Warmth and heat flooded my body as the memory of what I had been doing a few moments ago came closer to the surface. But the deep slumber claimed me before I could identify it.
No matter. I needed the rest.
Strange, chaotic images flooded my mind as my dreams spiraled. I saw Eira, bleeding out on the floor. Her scream echoed in my ears, burning through my skin and melting my bones. I saw Calista with blood dripping down her chin. I saw my father, pointing a menacing finger at me, his spit flying as he scolded me for falling in love with a filthy half breed.
