Page 34 of Midwinter Night's Prince

But instead of pain, he foud himself frozen with pure shock, watching her rotate the hilt to plunge it inside her.

It didn’t make a lick of sense. Killing him was the logical move, and she had the means to do so. In her shoes, he would have done so.

Would he?

He’d had a chance to do just that. He’d had a chance to kill her to save himself—or parts of himself, at least.

Her harrowing scream pierced through his stunned stillness. Blair’s face was twisted with pain, and her breathing, labored. Her blood poured like wine down a fountain, soaking her clothes under her jacket, dripping at her feet. The scent was sickeningly delectable and yet utterly repulsive, because it was coming out of her. Because Blair, his Blair, his witch, was dying.

She leaned forward, weak on her feet. Her kitten hopped out from under her jacket, frantically yowling, and Seth had Blair in his arms before she hit the floor, but a yell of pain twisted from her when he caught her.

Her chest. He swore, handling her as gently as he was capable of.

“If—” She coughed. “If I’d known you could do that, I might have made another move.” Her voice was all wrong, each word a visible struggle. She tried to laugh, but ended it in a cry that tore the very fabric of his being.

He glanced up just long enough to see himself surrounded by a circle of thunder, striking continuously everywhere around them, cutting off the rest of the world.

“Don’t speak.” He shook his head. “Just don’t speak.”

Mindful of keeping her as immobile as possible, he tore her jacket at the back and slowly removed it from around the blade.

Fuck.

Blood pooled over her clothes, dark and sick, clogging the air.

Heart’s blood. No, he reasoned. If it’d pierced her heart, she’d already be dead. He held on to that idea, ignoring the voice that whispered she’d certainly piercedsomething.

“You’re fine. Just fine.”

She attempted another laugh that ended with a heart-rending moan. “I’m not. It’s okay.”

Fuck.“Don’t you dare give up. You just need a healer.”

“Too bad we don’t have one of those handy.”

How the fuck could she manage to be so flippant at that moment? “Save your strength, don’t speak.”

Removing the blade was out. She’d bleed out in seconds. “You need to take some of my blood.” He brought his wrist to his mouth and bit down before offering her his forearm.

“Then what?” She shook her head. “Aveka’s on the other side with her posse. We don’t have a choice. It’s you or me.” She whimpered.

“Don’t speak.” Each pained whisper was hurting her.

“You can determine who wins this stupid fight. You can save so many of my friends. It has to be you.”

He shook his head, refusing to hear to her nonsense. She had to live. She just had to.

“Drop your shield, Blair.” The fact that she could manage to keep her energy shields up despite the gaping hole in her chest and her strength fading was astounding.

She seemed surprised to realize she was still protecting herself. A frown marred her forehead for an instant as she focused on letting go. The moment she had, Seth tightened his hold on her.

“Fleabag, come closer.” Her kitten hissed in protest, but obeyed nonetheless. “Close your eyes. I’m getting you help.”

He had to let go of his own shields circling around them, and the instant he did, they were both traveling with his lightning—though Seth knew they’d soon be followed. Vlad didn’t even have to use any of his witches to attempt to locate them.

There was only one place where he could go.

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