Page 100 of The Sorrow of Shadows

“I don’t have time to explain, I just need you to trust me. She was cut with a poisoned blade, and I need you to heal her, Ophelia. Please.” Breyla’s voice quivers as she pleads with her lady to save this stranger’s life.

Without a second thought, Ophelia drops to her knees on the other side of Nameah. She grasps her limp hand between her own and closes her eyes. I swear I see a light glow coming fromher hands as she pushes her magic into Nameah’s body. I blink, and the light is gone. Ophelia remains quiet for several more minutes until a loud groan comes from the little warrior’s lips.

It’s not one of relief, though. She’s in pain. Nameah’s body begins thrashing as her cries grow louder. I catch tears running down Breyla’s cheeks as she shushes Nameah.

“Hold on, little mouse. Ophelia is trying to help you,” she whispers as she brushes sweat-drenched locks out of her face.

“I-I’m sorry, Breyla. My magic...” Her voice trails off. “It’s not working. I don’t know what this is, but I can’t fix it.”

I see tears well in the raven-haired female’s eyes as she delivers the news I’ve been trying to convey to Breyla for the past day. There is no saving Nameah. Whatever this poison is, we don’t have the power to cure it.

“No,” Breyla wails. “No, it can’t be. There has to be something we can do!”

Nameah’s tortured moans grow louder as she cries, “Please, make it stop!”

“There’s one thing...” Ophelia whispers. “Send for my brother.”

I find the nearest servant to the stables and instruct them to bring Lord Layne at once. He arrives a few minutes later, and a look of anguish crosses his face.

As an empath, he’s probably feeling every emotion rolling off the dying girl and the three of us surrounding her. I can only imagine how overwhelming it feels.

“Layne, she’s dying. There’s nothing that can be done to stop it, but can you please lessen her suffering?” Ophelia looks at her brother with pleading eyes.

He nods and drops to his knees, taking the side opposite Ophelia. Breyla has Nameah’s head in her lap as she gently plays with her chestnut locks.

“What’s your name, beautiful?” Layne smiles sadly at her.

“Nameah,” she groans.

“Okay, Nameah. I’m going to make the pain stop. It’s going to be alright.”

He places his hands on each side of her face, cradling it gently. “Shhhh, beautiful,” he hums.

Slowly, her body stops trembling and her cries diminish. Her breathing evens out, and she opens her eyes. Beautiful sapphire eyes stare back at us, free of pain for the first time since she was injured.

“Brave little mouse, I am so proud of you,” Breyla praises, her fingers still twisting through Nameah’s hair.

“Thank you,” she croaks as she holds Layne’s gaze.

“You don’t need to thank me,” he grimaces. “No one should feel that kind of pain in their last moments.”

“How long do I have left?” A stray tear rolls down her cheek.

“Not long,” I say softly. “The poison is nearly at your heart, so you may only have a few minutes remaining.”

“Then I’d like to see the sunset one last time, please.”

“As you wish,” I reply, scoping her into my arms once more. I look to Layne before lifting her. “Can you maintain your hold on her without touching her face?”

“I can hold her hand and that will be enough.” He takes her left hand from Ophelia and stands with me as I lift Nameah.

We walk out of the stables and into the empty courtyard. The sun has moved past setting and has begun its evening gloaming hour. How fitting she should get to see both on her last day. As the sun makes its final descent, brilliant shades of pink, blue, and orange dance across the sky. Purple and black start to creep in slowly.

“I think I like this one the best,” Nameah whispers.

“Any final requests, little warrior?”

“I think I’d like to go out on my own terms. Does your power allow you to stop my heart?” Her question surprises me, but I nod.

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