All I can manage is a grunt.
“Let’s get you to a healer.”
“No.”
His brows lift in surprise. “What? You need a healer.”
“Is she back?” My voice is raw, low.
Torin hesitates. “…No. Not yet.”
“Then I’ll wait.” I take slow, dragging steps toward a stone bench at the edge of the courtyard and lower myself onto it.
“Koen.” He frowns, exasperated. “She’ll make it back. But what good will it do if you’re half-dead when she does?”
I don’t answer. I’m not worried about myself. I can’t be. My only thought is ofher. If she doesn’t come back, then I’ll go back in.
Torin studies me, then exhales hard and shakes his head. Finally, he sits beside me.
And together, we wait.
------------? ? ? ? ?------------
Serenya
I’m still crumpled over Koen’s lifeless body, my tears soaking into his tunic, when I hear footsteps. At first, I think the Labyrinth is playing tricks on me again—another cruelty meant to break me. Slowly, I lift my head.
Lioran.
For a heartbeat, I don’t breathe. His caramel curls are mussed, falling across his brow, and though he looks a little shaken, he’s still wearing that same unshakable, boyish brightness. It feels wrong to see something so familiar and alive in this place.
He isn’t looking at me. His eyes wander the ballroom like he’s walking into a dream he doesn’t trust. Finally, they land on me. He falters, just as unsure as I am. His green eyes flicker with exhaustion, relief, then disbelief. For a strange, fragile moment, I wonder if he thinks I’m another illusion too.
His presence pulls me back from the edge. It’s a relief to see something real, or at least something that feels real, after being forced to watch both the men I love die.
“…Ren…” His voice cracks slightly, and I can’t help the small smile that tugs at my lips.
“It’s me,” he says, as if afraid I’ll vanish.
I study him warily, swallowing past the lump in my throat. “But how do Iknowyou’re you?”
His mouth quirks into a grin. “How ‘bout this. We’ll say our favorite candy at the same time. Since we share a favorite and all.”
The ridiculousness of it makes me laugh softly, but I nod anyway. “Alright. One…two…three—”
“Sea salt vanilla caramels!” we blurt in unison, and the sound of our laughter echoes in the ballroom. Just like that, we’re just friends again, and not pawns in a Labyrinth that wants us dead.
He reaches down and helps me stand. His hand is warm and grounding. “I’m relieved to see you’re ok—” He cuts himself off, his gaze catching on my swollen, red-rimmed eyes. His expression softens. “Are you…Areyou alright?”
“Yes,” I answer quickly, forcing steadiness into my voice. “Thanks to you. I just had a moment, or two, of weakness. I’m fine now.” I manage a soft smile, though I don’tthink it convinces either of us.
Before I can say more, the ballroom dissolves.
Stone walls rise around us, cold and towering, and in the blink of an eye, we’re standing in a narrow hallway. Two doors materialize. One in front of him, one in front of me.
“I don’t think it wants us together,” he mutters, eyebrows lifting.
“Then we will split up. Better not totest its temper.”
