15
MAX
“What are you doing here?” A cool compress presses to my forehead and I sigh gratefully.
Baris hushes me, pushing the hair off my neck, laying another compress there. They smell like aloe and other herbs that instantly soothe my aches.
I’d rather not think about what I did in that purification hellscape. About how I had to kill the male I loved in order to save him. It sits like a heavy stone on my chest, one I cannot breathe around, and I instead remind myself it was only a test. A way for the rose petals to clear me, to take back the layers and get to the root causes.
Of course, killing Kaden is a large fear. My magic is unpredictable—I’m terrified of harming him. The ritual only brought that out in the open.
“Rest, little one.”
“Is she awake?” I sit up so fast, I careen to the side and grip my father before falling off the bed. Wouldn’t look very becoming for a queen.
Standing at the foot of the canopy bed, is Fee herself, dressed inher riding leathers, face red, hair windswept. I nearly cry from seeing a familiar face that I throw myself forward.
Thank the Gods the princess is quicker. She catches me awkwardly, patting my back harshly. “There, there. Don’t cry. It will make this whole situation weird.”
“How are you here?” I pull back, wiping my damp cheeks. “Whyare you here? Who is defending the Shadowlands?”
“The lords,” she says, shrugging, allowing Baris to lay me back against propped pillows.
Taking the other side, she sits regally, the setting sun’s rays casting brilliant oranges and red over her pale skin. Fee has always been beautiful, but right now, she’s my savior.
I never thought I’d consider the warrior princess a friend, but she is. And I’ve missed her.
“The lords?”
She rolls her eyes. “You need to learn your lands, blood summoner. The Lords all have their own armies. That with the remaining loyal guards, the palace is well-fortified. I only came here with Zeke.”
On Cella’s Crown,I should be mad she left the palace. But I’d be lying if I didn’t say how happy I was to have her and Zeke here.I could use the allies.
Baris presses the compress back to my head, wiping my temple. “How do you feel?”
“Horrible,” I admit. My entire body aches as if I’ve fought all those battles, living through fire, torture, and the death of my mate. “But I’m alive.”
“We didn’t think you would be,” Fee mutters. “Lucky for you, I was already on my way. I happened upon your father and brought him along.”
“We snuck him in,” Reid comments, walking through the chamber door. We’re not in my room—but a smaller one, fit more for a servant. Or a small child. “When you started to hallucinate, I left Mal to watch you while I grabbed Baris. Perfect timing really.”
“He was right to,” Baris says, placing the rag to the back of myneck. I exhale, the pain leeching away. “Noire Rose petals are deadly. If given the right dose, they can be used in purification rituals. Too many, and those visions will kill you.”
“Pretty sure you got too many.” Reid winks. “But just like a Dark Queen, you prevailed. Though you were really banged up.”
My eyes take in the white dress, once pristine, now covered in sand and blood. My body doesn’t hold the scars, but I feel them, like tiny invisible marks. Aoife did this. She gave me the petals. Is all of this truly to help Kaden, or is she trying to kill me with carefully measured steps?
“It felt real.” I rub my arms, fighting off a shudder. “I don’t ever want to do that again.”
“You won’t,” Baris agrees. “It’s not something one should do more than once in their lifetime. All your fears are laid bare and if you cannot overcome them, you will stay lost, eventually dying from the poison.”
Sounds horrible.
“What were your fears?” Fee asks, peering at me. Something tells me she knows what I saw. Maybe it’s in my eyes, maybe she’s that perceptive.
Clearing my throat, I shake my head. I’m not ready to discuss it.
“Well, I have news.” Fee holds open her palm and a small flame ignites. The entire room collectively inhales. “Oh, I had the same reaction.”
