“How?” Narrowed black eyes met his, and her wings snapped together.
He inhaled deeply, steeling himself for her reaction. Something told him it wouldn’t be good. “I gave you prohiberis.”
He knew what the substance did to vampires, and hehatedthat he’d had to give it to her. The wind quieted at that exact moment, and it was as though he’d shouted his shame.
A predatory, vicious snarl ripped from Vivienne’s chest. A reminder of their positions—she was a bringer of death, and he was a halfling. Good with a sword, but mortal blood still ran through his veins.
Aware that he had to speak quickly if he wanted to remain alive, Marius hurriedly continued, “I’m sorry. I didn’t know what else to do. You couldn’t touch the water, and you didn’t seem to hear me shouting at you.”
He would never forget the fear that chilled his heart as he yelled, and she ignored him.
An eternity seemed to pass as she studied him. Every second felt like hours, her dark gaze sweeping over him. What was going on in her mind?
“The song was deafening.” She worked her jaw. “I… I couldn’t seem to break away from it. It called to me.”
He frowned. He hadn’t heard anything in the cave.
“Do you still hear it?”
“No, it’s gone.” Vivienne drew her lip through her teeth. “Was it the only way?”
To stop me.
The unspoken words echoed around them louder than any drum.
“I think so. Nothing else was working.” His heart clenched, remembering the desperation he’d felt grabbing the poisoned water. “It was mylast resort. If it helps, I didn’t want to do it. Hurting you…” He shuddered. “It was worse than when the First sliced my chest open.”
He never wanted to do that again for as long as he lived.
Her gaze flitted to his pack, then back to him. “You got the vial?”
“I did.”
“And you carried me out.” Again, not a question.
He jerked his chin. “I couldn’t leave you there.”
That would’ve made him as much of a monster as the shadow creature they’d fought.
Vivienne’s lips pinched together, and her brows creased. The wind picked back up, blowing strands of hair in front of her eyes. She was so beautiful, even in her anger, and he drank in the sight of her.
Was this why Luna was always watching Sebastian? He was starting to understand why she did that. It felt like every time he looked at Vivienne, he saw something new.
“Thank you, my prince,” Vivienne said, pulling him from his thoughts.
He wasn’t sure what he’d expected her to say, but it wasn’t that. His mouth fell open in shock, but she wasn’t done.
Gratitude shone in Vivienne’s eyes as she bowed her head, placing her hand flat over her heart. “You saved my life tonight. I owe you a debt.”
He shook off his shock, his eyes widening as he moved to close the distance between them. “No, that’s not why I did this.”
He didn’t do it so she would owe him. He just wanted her to live.
“I know, and that’s why I’m grateful. You didn’t need to save me, but you did.” Her lips tilted up into a teasing smile. “Don’t pretend the debt won’t come in handy, Marius. You and I both know you have a knack for finding danger.”
He scoffed, crossing his arms. “I do not.”
She raised a brow in silent rebuke.
