The prince holds a hand out to still the guards.
“Your Highness—” Ava starts, but Bash shakes his head, eyes locked tight with Will’s. I can almost hear his threat. He’s trusting Will to save me. And there’ll be consequences if he fails.
“Lower your swords.”
“But, sir—”
“Do what I said.”
A splash of blood—mine or Will’s, I don’t know—hits the earth. A groan escapes me.Hurry.
“I’d love to stay and chat,” Will says, more pep in his tone now. The magic around us whirls to life. “But as you can see, I’ve got my hands full.”
Will leaps up and a gust catches us in gentle arms. We make it to the top of the wall just as Card sprints out the side door, his hair a mess and his eyes hollow.
“Fliss!” he yells. “No! FLISS!”
Bastion grabs him around the waist. Card fights and scrambles and pushes, grappling against Bash’s arms, and it’s the last thing I see before my eyes fall closed.
“Still with me?” Will asks, jumping off the other side of the wall and making for the northern forest. He runs through the air with the wind supporting every step.
“I’m with you,” I whisper.
“Stay with me.”
“I will.”
Chapter Nineteen
My back collides with something hard. It’s Ruth’s workshop bed.
“I tried but—” Will gasps. Hesobs.“Mum, I couldn’t— It happened so fast and then—and Bash—and—”
“Willoh, breathe. You’re hyperventilating,” Ruth says, and her careful hands peel off the layers of cotton around my stomach.
“No, I have to help. She can’t die, Mum. Please. I have to— It was my fault and—”
“Willoh.You are no help to Fliss like this. Clean yourself up, take that draft there, and get some sleep first. You can tell me everything when you’ve had some rest.”
“What? No.No.I’m staying. I’m—”
A cry escapes me as Ruth’s magic seeps into my stomach like the relief of soaking in a hot bath. As the twinge of pain retreats, my head lolls to one side. Maybe now I can sleep. Maybe now I can let go.
“I have it under control, Willoh. Clean up. Sleep. Then let me check you over. You’ve got iron poisoning.”
“I’m fine,” he says. But he knows he’s not. His footsteps disappear,and I settle into the softness of Ruth’s healing, hushed to sleep in a safety I can trust.
Gill nuzzles my face.
“Hello, mister.” I yawn. I scratch between his ears, and he purrs. I’ve woken in a small bedroom, but I know where I am this time. I know the smell of herbs and tranquility of the cottage,andI’ve woken without any searing pain. I shuffle up with ease, adjusting the white pillows at my back. As far as I can tell, I have fresh bandages and clothes that aren’t covered in blood. A good sign. Gill hops onto my legs and kneads his front paws against me.
“Are you my nurse?” I ask him, and he butts his head against my hand. With a laugh, I comply with his demands and pet his chin.
There’s a gentle knock, and the door to the bedroom opens. Holding a tray, Ruth steps over Mustard, who was apparently sitting right outside with his back to the door. She smiles at me, her eyes a paler white than last time.
“You’re awake. Good. How are you feeling?” she asks, and comes to sit on the bed. She places the tray on my lap. Gill sniffs to see if the soup and water are to his liking.
I think about it—what the truthful answer to her question is.
