He needed to speak and tell them what he’d Seen, but he felt like he was moments away from the Fade.
Too long.
He should have come back from the silver planes long ago.
“Well?” Vivienne asked from across the carriage. “What did you…”
Her voice trailed off. In a movement too quick for him to follow in his current state, she sheathed her sword and crouched in front of him.
Her hands cupped his cheeks, her touch cool but not cold, and her eyes searched his. “What’s wrong?”
He breathed in as deeply as he could manage.
“Might have… overdone it.” Each word tasted like chalk, and his tongue was heavy. “Halfling.”
He should’ve been more careful. Moved more slowly. Used less magic.
This was the story of his life. No matter how much he wished it wasn’t true, he wasn’t as strong as other Fortune Elves.
Vivienne frowned, still cupping his cheeks.
Marius couldn’t help but study the vampire before him. She’d been so frustrated with him, not that he blamed her, but now that they were so close, he couldn’t ignore her beauty. Blazing red hair curtained her face as she studied him; her cheekbones were strong, and her eyes burned with a fierceness he rarely saw in others.
Removing her right hand from his cheek, she pressed the back of it against his forehead. “You don’t have a fever.”
He shook his head, wincing at the pain the movement caused.
“It’ll pass,” he said with difficulty.
The bodyguard stared at him for another long momentbefore she nodded and returned to the other bench. She was closer this time, and their knees nearly touched.
“What do you need?”
He rubbed his hand across his brow. “Water would help. And just… time.”
Usually, that was all he needed to recover from magical exertion. Hopefully, even though he’d pushed himself too far today, he’d recover quickly.
Vivienne reached under the bench, pulling out the bag with provisions Felix had brought. She handed him a bottle of water and watched as he drank the entire thing.
Marius replaced the cap and nodded.
“Thank you.” His words came more easily, and he exhaled a sigh of relief. “We need to warn Fe?—”
The carriage jerked to a sudden stop.
Marius jolted, careening off the bench. Before he could slam into the opposing wall, strong arms caught him.
“Careful,” Vivienne warned.
A bump came from outside, followed by a shout of alarm. One of the horses whinnied.
Too late.
His stomach churned, but he ignored it. He should’ve moved faster and warned them sooner. He shouldn’t have taken the time to drink.
Rising from the bench, Marius stood on wobbly legs as he drew a dagger sheathed on his thigh. Felix needed his help. He couldn’t stay here.
Vivienne exclaimed, “Prince, what are you?—”
