When I reached the city wall, he’d already gone ahead. I dismounted and led Silver beneath the gates, motioning for Erin to lower them once we were safely inside. I tried to fight back the hurt that curled around my heart like a vicious snake. I understood why he was panicked, why he needed to reach the castle as soon as he could. If Ruari touched anyone, he would spread famine.
But Kalen had been acting so strangely toward me since I’d suggested using Callisto’s power. It was like he saw me differently now.
“Tessa, what’s happening?” Nellie asked from where she waited for me inside the Great Hall. Her pale face looked ghostly white against the deep brown of her hair. “Kalen came back extremely agitated. He barked at everyone, demanding to know where Ruari went.”
Alarm flashed through me. “Ruari’s not here?”
“No, why? What’s going on?”
“Where did he go?”
She shrugged. “He wasn’t feeling well, remember? I sent him to Druid Balfor.”
“Druid Balfor?” My stomach dropped. “Fuck. We need him.”
I pushed past her, but she grabbed my arm. “You’re scaring me, Tessa. Tell me what’s going on. What happened out there with the gods?”
As quickly as I could, I filled her in. Her cheeks continued to pale as the reality of our situation sank in. “He has famine? But…”
“Did he touch anyone else before he went to Druid Balfor, Nellie?” I asked her. “Fenella and Toryn…they didn’t…?”
“No, no.” She shook her head, her bottom lip trembling. “I don’t think so, anyway. I wasn’t really paying attention to who he was touching!”
I grabbed her shoulders, grounding her. “Nellie, deep breaths.”
Her gaze locked with mine. Tears rolled down her cheeks. “I hated him. I hated him so much. But he’s tried so hard to make up for what he did. He protected me out there.” She gestured vaguely at the outside world. “He almost died trying to save me. The scorpion attacked him, and he struggled to heal since he’s not fully fae. I honestly thought he wouldn’t survive it. But now he won’t survive this, will he?”
“I don’t know, Nellie. I think the truth is that thereisa cure, but only Orion can give it.”
“Then we have tomakehim give it,” she hissed fiercely.
My heart ached for her. “I wish we could.”
“Do something, Tessa.” She tightened her grip on my arm. “If you don’t, I will. I’ll change back into that wolf, and I’ll fight him. You said it yourself. My claws and fangs can hurt the gods. What good am I if I don’t use that power to stop Orion, to save someone who, who…”
“Do you love him?” I asked quietly.
“What?” The rage vanished from her face. “No, no. Of course not. I love someone else. But I do care for him now. In a different way. He’s a friend. And friends become family. They are with us through everything.”
“Come, then.” I hooked my arm through hers and led her through the doors. “Before you charge after the gods, let’s see if Druid Balfor knows of a way to heal Ruari. He’s ancient and full of knowledge. He might have the answers that no one else does.”
“It’s not like you to be so optimistic,” she said, but she shuffled into step beside me, and I could see the hope in her eyes.
Deep down, I did not believe my words. There was no way to escape the curse of death, not without Andromeda’s touch—or my touch. Orion’s affliction would be no different. Ruari would not survive this. What was worse, he could not stay here. The entire city would fall.
* * *
Druid Balfor’s sparsely decorated room was on the top floor of one of the towers. The circular space held a small cot, a stool, a trunk, and nothing more. Not even a carpet softened the grim space. The wooden trunk was open, revealing an array of herbs and gemstones.
Kalen and Toryn were both in the room already, exchanging fierce whispers with the Druid. On the cot in the corner, Ruari curled in on himself. His eyes were closed, and he was sweating profusely. The pillow beneath him was drenched in it. His face had turned a mottled red, and now and again, he twitched.
Nellie gasped, her hand flying to her throat.
Toryn glanced over sharply. His eyes softened when he saw my sister’s horror-stricken face. “Nellie, you shouldn’t have to see this.”
“We have to force Orion to fix this,” she said, her voice trembling.
“Has he touched anyone?” I asked.
