“I can’t.”
“You must!”
“There… is one way, but…”
“It doesn’t matter what it is, just do it,” Kryn ordered. “Everything depends on Kalyll’s life.”
I had started ushering out the portion of black energy that still remained inside the prince’s body. It was meant to be flushed out, meant to be expelled, so that Kalyll could be purely himself again. But as his life ebbed, all his goodness slipping away, I pulled the evil back in and invited it straight into his heart.
The demon energy was resilient and twisted. It defied any sense of goodness or right and wrong. It was the energy of Midnight Mages and taboos, the verve of morbidity and necromancers, the only thing that could defy death.
My healing energy also tangled with it, shaping it, coaxing it into the right places. In an instant, Kalyll’s heart was repaired, made whole by light and dark. The wound in his chest closed with a wet sound, and so did the rest of his injuries.
Kryn reared back, his eyes wide with amazement. Relief flooded his expression. He stared intently into his friend’s face, waiting for signs of life, but none came.
“What’s wrong?” he demanded.
I saved my strength and instead of responding, cupped my hands on top of Kalyll’s chest and started pumping. He was a large strong male, and it took all I had to apply the necessary chest compressions to jump-start his newly healed heart.
Kryn watched me as if I were crazy. He was about to say something when finally Kalyll gasped for air. His eyes sprang open, and for an instant, they were dark all around, but then they cleared, and he sat straight up, gulping for more air and pressing a hand to his chest, feeling for the wound.
I slumped down, my head spinning, my vision blurry. I had only enough time to feel a burst of joy at seeing Kalyll’s beautiful eyes once more, then I lost consciousness.
CHAPTER 35
WhenIwokeup,I was wrapped in furs, lying down inside the small tent. I blinked, trying to dispel the sluggishness that clung to me like a wet blanket. It took a moment for my thoughts to realign themselves and for the memories of what had happened to rush back and hit me like a tsunami.
I sat up, panting, my eyes roving all around. I started to crawl out of the tent, but before I went too far, the flap opened and Kalyll walked in. I froze. For a moment, we just stared at each other without saying anything.
He was the first to say something. “How do you feel?”
I sat back, crossed my legs, and shrugged. My thoughts felt lethargic, which normally happened after an intense healing session. “I’ll be all right. How about you?”
He nodded. “I feel great. It’s nighttime and…” He patted his chest, then put his hands out as if to say,Look at me. I’m in control. No more beast.
I swallowed thickly. I had to tell him about what I’d done in order to heal him. There was no way of telling how the darkness I’d weaved into him would affect him. Would it manifest? Was he strong enough to overpower it and never know it was there? Was I really asking myself that? The male was stronger than anyone I’d ever met.
Kalyll pointed at the spot in front of me. “May I sit? I wish to talk to you.”
I scooted backward to give him room.
He settled in front of me, also crossing his legs. “How could I ever repay you? You haven’t only saved my life, but have also spared my realm much strife—more than you can imagine.”
It wasn’t as if I’d been given a choice, but I figured it was too late for recriminations. Instead, I said, “Silver?”
A wave of sadness washed over the prince. “Our Sub Rosa circle had a traitor, one who will pay for his crimes.”
“He was the one who threw away the marsh flower and hemlock.”
Kalyll assented.
“Is he working with Queen Belasha?”
“No. Surprisingly, Queen Belasha is onourside. We’ve just encountered an envoy she sent to protect us. Her emissary explained everything. Shewasresponsible for the necklace. She instructed Larina to give it to you, to ensure that when we left Imbermore the necklace was with you, so she could keep track of us. Our secrecy worried her. She was afraid for our safety. At least that’s what Captain Nataar, her envoy, says. She sent a small force after us when the necklace stopped moving. Earlier, she’d received some disturbing news from her spies relating to Silver. Apparently, he was spotted in Gleelock Alley, meeting with Lyanner Phiran, who has, after our departure, been confirmed as an Unseelie spy. The party that attacked us in the mountain pass was sent by him and, by extension, the Unseelie King.”
My head spun with all the information. Silver, who had been Kalyll’s friend since childhood, had betrayed him. He’d even traveled all the way into that cave, risking his life, to get a chance at murdering the Seelie Prince when he was the most vulnerable because otherwise, Kalyll had simply been too powerful to take down.
“I’m sorry you lost a friend,” I said, knowing the words were inadequate at best.