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I don’t want to, but somehow I find it in me to remove his shirt from Lux’s wound.

“Now tear it like you want to make a proper bandage, but as you do it, imagine Lux healing. That part’s important, so make sure you think hard.”

My chest heaves. This can’t actually work, can it. But one look at Lux’s pale face is enough to convince me to try anything.

With shaking hands, I tear Castor’s shirt. Fix him, I beg silently. Heal him.

Once I have a strip of fabric, I stare back up at Castor. “Now what?”

“Now you wrap it around his shoulder.” He lifts Lux’s arm up carefully. “And we fucking pray that this works.”

I don’t know how it would, but I wrap the ‘bandage’ around him anyway, my heart pounding in my ears.

“Please wake up.” I rub his shoulder. “Please don’t leave us. We need you. Both of us do.”

Castor places his hand over mine, squeezing it reassuringly. “He’ll make it,” he promises me.

Tears stream down my cheeks. “Are you lying again?”

“He’s not.”

I gasp. “Lux?” I look down to see Lux propping himself onto his elbows.

“Easy,” Castor chuckles, helping him to sit up.

“I don’t understand,” I speak through tears. “How did that just happen?”

“I could ask you the same question,” Lux croaks. “It barely hurts anymore.”

Castor grins at him. “Our mate has a little secret.”

“You do?” Lux’s brow arches at me.

“It’s not a secret.” I shake my head. “And my sisters’ magical gifts are far more impressive. You should see Liliana’s.” Making things float… Seriously? I wonder if she can do it to people?

“Liliana didn’t just save my life, though,” he rasps. “And you,” he turns to Castor, “thank you for helping her.”

“As if I’d ever let my brother die,” he chuckles as Lux tenses. “Eden needs us both. Our bond has connected us for a reason.”

“Yes.” Lux clears his throat. “I think it has.”

Swiping away my tears, I reach up to undo my bun.

Castor smirks at me. “Want me to unlace your corset while you do that to save us some time?”

“Stop it,” I laugh breathlessly. “I’m just getting a few hairpins.”

The princes watch me curiously as I slide two pins out of my hair and shape them just like Kasimir showed me.

“It’s been a while since I’ve done this so be patient with me.” I lower the pins to the keyhole in Lux’s collar.

“You can pick locks?” he asks, surprised.

“An old friend taught me.” I glance at the staircase that he and Amaryllis disappeared down. I’m not sure if we’re even friends anymore, but I’m not really interested in sticking around to find out.

After all this, I’m ready to go home.

Home?