Asmo and Ivan walk away, Asmo’s hands clasped behind his back as Ivan details what should happen next.
Elle stands beside me, our shoulders brushing as we watch the two get farther away. “How is he alive?” she whispers.
“I don’t know,” I admit. It’s the truth. I have no fucking clue what happened or what I did. “What happened after we left?”
She moves to stand before me. “When you killed Cora, the Cursed just…fell.” She points to the battlefield, where animal corpses lay amongst the mud and trodden grass.
Add “burn the Cursed” to the list.
“We were able to turn all our efforts to the witches,” Elle continues. “Some of them surrendered, but many of them fought to the death.” She looks at me, a smile threatening to break loose. “It’s over, Mae. We beat her.”
My eyes close and I inhale, deep and true. We beat Cora. We saved the kingdom. I know I should be happy—and I am—but my stomach twists again.What have I done? What will Thera ask of me?“How are you feeling? About…Marik?” I ask.
“Oh, that,” she says, her smile fading. She looks at the ground, mouth twisting as she stares at her feet. “He’s…” she hesitates. “Alive but…not. He’s breathing, but he won’t move or open his eyes.”
“How are you feeling about that?” I ask.
She shrugs and, again, looks down, seemingly intent on studying the pattern of the laces in her boots.
I don’t press. “Okay,” I say with a sigh. “Then we need to get him to a healer.”
She nods slowly. “Get everyone else checked first. Marik should be the last. He did this, after all.”
I nod once. “If that is what you wish.”
Her gaze finds mine. “I wish for none of this.”
The library is dark and silent, a far cry from what it used to be. In a way, this place helped transform me. I’ve always found solace in books, comfort in others’ stories, in the way the characters handle trials and tribulations, in who they become. Tales of dragons, princesses, love, and loss have shaped me over the years.
But this library has helped shape my own journey—my first day at the castle, sipping coffee with Elle, laying here with Koa, Asmo breaking my heart. Now, I’ve gained everything, lost everything, and fought tooth and nail to get it back. Maybe even bartered my soul. But I have no regrets. Not yet, at least.
If I had fought for this kingdom, only to have to sit on a throne by myself, I would’ve burned it all over again.
“Do you plan to stare into the darkness all evening?” Asmo drawls from behind me. I smile, but it falls almost instantly. It was too close. “Brynn is wrapping up with the injured.”
I sigh. “Let’s go see Marik.”
Marik was moved to the spare bedroom in my wing. He lies on the bed, black shirt and trousers torn by the Cursed’s teeth, dirt crusted along his jaw, and hair matted and stiff with what I’m assuming is blood and saliva. Elle sits on a plush chair, her head in her hands. She lifts it as we walk in. Purple shadows line her eyes.
She probably hasn’t slept in at least a day. It’s hard to remember that the ball was only last night. I sway on my feet at the reminder, but Asmo’s hand steadies me.
“Anything?” I ask.
Elle shakes her head. “He’s alive. I don’t understand it. His wounds from the Cursed bear have even healed themselves.”
“Let’s see what Brynn has to say,” Asmo says.
She nods and leans back in her chair, foot bouncing on the ground.
“I plan to speak with the Herd after this,” I say to Elle. “You’re welcome to stay here though, if you’d prefer.”
She shakes her head again. “I’d rather not sit and stare at the male who ruined my life.”
Okay, then. “Of course,” I say. A soft knock on the door. Ivan cracks it open. “Brynn,” I say warmly. “I’m happy to see you.”
She forms a deep bow, then smiles at me. “You have no idea how happy we are to see you, Your Highness.” She turns to Asmo. “And you, Prince Asmo.”
He opens his mouth, but I shoot him a look. We’ll make the announcement later. He shuts his mouth and smiles politely.
