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I can’t help my loud sob.

“Let me see my brother!”

I look up to see Castor wrestling against Kasimir and Meera. He must’ve been holding himself back earlier in Father’s throne room. Now he looks almost feral.

“Let him go!” I yell at Kasimir. “Ami, make them stop!” I scream at my sister, who’s just frozen, watching us all with a shocked expression.

“Kaz, stop this. Let him go,” she says in a weak voice. “We can fight him later.”

Meera snarls, “He didn’t show me any mercy when he burnt half my hair off!” But to my relief, Kasimir drags her away before reluctantly heading down the stairs with Amaryllis.

As soon as we’re alone, Castor crouches beside me to take Lux’s other hand.

“Lux,” he rasps. “You’re alright. You’re going to be fine.”

Lux huffs out a pained laugh. “Tell that to the hole in my back.”

I shake my head. We’re wasting time. The back of his shirt is already coated in blood. “We have to stop the bleeding.” I look around for something to bandage him with, but there’s nothing. “We need a healer.”

Castor shakes his head. “Eden⁠—”

“No, we can save him.” I reach for my skirt, but my tutu is made from stiff tulle. That won’t work.

“Eden.”

There’s not enough fabric on my bodice either. Maybe if I took off my tights⁠—

“Just use this.” Castor lifts his shirt over his head.

“Thank you.” I do not notice the rippling curves of his muscles or the way his shoulders flex in the candlelight.

Castor chuckles, but I’m too busy rolling up his shirt to care. My gift washes his emotions over me. A hint of sadness. Frustration. A very optimistic amount of hope.

I swallow down another sob.

“I’m sorry, Lux, but I have to do this,” I whisper, pressing the shirt hard against his wound.

I hate that he doesn’t react. His eyes are closed while his breaths are deathly short. No. No. No.

“Lux?” I whimper.

“Why aren’t you using your magic?” Castor asks. “Use my shirt to make him a bandage.”

“What are you talking about? What magic?” If he means my gift, that won’t help at all. No amount of emotions or glimpses of a memory could fix a stab wound.

Damn it.

“Lux open your eyes! Please!” I beg.

“Use your magic,” Castor urges me. “I know you have it. I felt it before when I held Lux’s cloak.”

My lips pop open. “What?”

“The cloak that you made for him. It was infused with magic.”

I shake my head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Castor groans. “Take my shirt.”