Page 80 of A Reflection of Lies and Truth

Reeve rotates to collect his weapon belt from where it hangs on the wall and turns back to face me as he straps it snugly on his hips.

“Go to your wife, Jasce,” he says, his voice steady and calm. “I’ll take care of bringing Emerin here.”

His assurance does little to ease the anxious tension knotting my gut, but I know arguing will only waste precious time. I give a terse nod and head for the door.

Reeve will handle this.

He has never failed me before.

* * *

I returnto the bedchamber to check on Annora. She lies in the same spot, her skin so pale it’s almost translucent. Her chest rises and falls with each shallow breath, the only sign that life still flows through her veins.

Worry drums through me as I approach the bed and sit. Gently, I run my hand up and down her arm, wishing I could somehow will her back to consciousness.

This is Keel’s doing.

He was behind the attack on me, and I know he’s behind this too.

The bastard will die the next time I see him.

Annora mumbles incoherently in her sleep. Her brow furrows, and she shifts restlessly beneath the bedcovers, as if trapped in the throes of a nightmare.

I reach out, gently resting my hand on her forehead. She stills at my touch but doesn’t wake. I let out a shaky breath as my chest constricts with fear for her.

This is different than anything I have ever faced. I’ve never felt so helpless, so utterly powerless in the face of an enemy I cannot see or fight.

All I can do is sit here and hope that Reeve will return with Emerin in time.

ChapterForty-Five

JASCE

I glanceup as the door swings open, and Reeve strides in, his expression grim and his jaw set. A young woman with rich, copper hair and unique eyes follows closely behind him, her steps tentative, yet determined.

Thankfully, she doesn’t appear to be bound or restrained in any way.

Reeve’s gaze meets mine, and he nods.

He’s done his part. Now, it’s Emerin’s turn.

Emerin ignores us both as she rushes to Annora’s side and lays her trembling hand on her sister’s arm.

“Oh, Annora.” Tears trail down Emerin’s cheeks as she takes in the sight of her pale sister.

Reeve steps closer, positioning himself at the foot of the bed, arms crossed over his chest.

Emerin hunches over her sister for several moments before straightening. Slowly, her hands glow with a soft, silver light as she hovers them over Annora.

Seconds turn into minutes, and the silence stretches on, broken only by the gentle hum of Emerin’s magic.

What if Emerin’s magic isn’t enough? What if Annora never wakes up? The thought sends a chill down my spine, and I curl my fists at my sides, fighting the urge to reach out and touch her, to will her back to life.

Relief floods through me the moment Annora’s eyes flutter open. She blinks once, twice, her gaze unfocused and hazy.

“Em,” she whispers, her voice hoarse and weak. “Y-your here.”

Emerin’s eyes glisten as she leans closer and sweeps loose strands of hair from Annora’s forehead. “Yes. I’m here, Rora.”

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