Page 93 of Blooms of Darkness

She never failed. I could not fail her now.

I lifted my bloodied face to meet Ian’s gaze. “Where is the healer?”

Hale ran down the hall, to where I cared not, except if it were to find someone to fix Elisabeth.

“Lan.” Ian approached me as if I were a wounded animal, and I hated it. I hated the look in his eyes. “She’s gone. There’s nothing more we can do. I am so sorry.”

Ruppert put his hand underneath my arm to pick me up, and I shoved him away. “Don’t touch me. I will not leave her!”

“Give her a moment,” Ian scolded.

“My job is not to coddle her, boy, know your place,” Ruppert said with authority, as if his opinion mattered.

“This is why you are a terrible guard. And lest I remind you, Ioutrankyou.You will listen tomycommand like the soldier you are.”

“Howdareyou speak to me that way?” Ruppert seethed as he tried to pick me up once more.

I shoved him away, harder this time, as sparks flew from my fingers. Ruppert jumped back in shock as I clung once more to Elisabeth’s body. “You’re going to be okay. You’re going to be okay, Elisabeth. I love you.”

“Lan.” Ian’s voice broke as he knelt beside me. When I looked at him, the sadness on his face made it harder for me to pretend this would be okay. That somehow, she would return to us if a healer arrived.

“She’s gone,” he said.

Ruppert bellowed at Ian, and he left my side, the two arguing in hushed voices.

Let them argue.Nothing mattered.

I stroked Elisabeth’s hair, closing my eyes to pretend she just slept. This couldn’t be real.

I felt a whisper of heat down my arm as a warm hand rested on my shoulder. “It’s time to get you to safety now, Little Rebel.”

The smell of a summer’s rain, and the cool breeze of a familiar shadow enveloped my body.

“I will not leave you here. I willnotleave,” I whispered as I rocked back and forth beside Elisabeth’s body. The shadows were alluring, enticing even. Perhaps they would make it all better. But I couldn’t leave her.

Something sickly sweet accosted my senses, and a vial appeared under my nose. “I’m so sorry, Lan,” Ian whispered in my ear.

Kade’s shadows wrapped tighter around me.

“I have to get you to safety now,” Ian said.

My body swayed once, and the last memory before my world faded to black was of stormy eyes watching me as though they could take my grief far away from here. Forever.

Chapter 26

Drip.

Drip.

Without magic, you’ll ruin this kingdom. You’re nothing. Soon everyone around you will be nothing. Pathetic and worthless.

Drip.

The luxurious gold bath handles were dripping like that damned spot in the dungeon. Fitting, I supposed, since I felt like I was back there.

I didn’t move.

The water in the tub had long lost its warmth, and goose bumps prickled my flesh. All of the remaining bubbles, which once covered my body, now clumped into a few spots at the foot of the tub. I couldn’t move, though, so I gripped my arms around my knees tighter.

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