Page 113 of A Court of Fire and Frost

When the screams are done, I sink to my knees and sob. Something jabs hard into my leg. When I look down, there is a watch at my feet. The band is made of leather, but the face…

The face is made of Black Opal.

Incensed, I claw at the watch, trying to get it open. I pick up a rock and start hacking toward the crystal glass. I need to touch the gemstone.

I drag myself, my whole body throbbing to Elva.

Repeatedly striking the watch, the glass doesn’t do much as scratch… But the back pops off.

I let out a strangled shout.

Sliding my fingers over the smooth surface, I jump as power courses in my veins.

Knowing time is short, I reach for Elva. I don’t know exactly how the Black Opals work, but I will do everything I can for her. I lay a hand on her, imagining myself a conduit between her and the power. I push the power in my veins into her, towards the gaping wounds in her body.

My heart pounds, and all of me hurts as I work, but I keep going.

This needs to work. It has to be enough.

Whispering to her, “Hold on,” I funnel magic into her. My fingers wrap around the knife's hilt, and I yank it out.

The Black Opals work quickly.

Her wound closes, inch by inch until smooth skin is in its place.

I command her heart to beat as normal.

My body is weak and spent as if I have lost my blood from my body. I slump onto her, hoping that it is enough.

“Please be enough,” I whisper as I lose consciousness.

Chapter44

I Forbid It

ELVA

Something heavy is lying on my chest. It hurts so much, and my lungs are struggling to find breath.

I always knew I would end up in Hell, but somehow, I at least thought I could breathe.

I try to shake my head, but the movement sends a bolt of pain through my neck.

“Gods,” I curse under my breath. Even in death, nothing is easy.

My chest is heavy, and I groan, trying to force my eyes open. They’re nearly frozen shut, but finally, I see... evergreen trees towering high above me, their branches reaching to the sky, where streaks of red and yellow and orange are dancing across the sky.

Hell looks a lot like the Northern Court,I think, smirking.Fitting, but so unlike the crystal caverns I thought were watched over by Aidoneus Hades.

I close my eyes, content to rest in peace for a few minutes, when the weight on my body shifts slightly.

My eyes fly open.

What is on me?

I push myself onto my hands, ignoring the shooting pain rushing through my body. Every curse I know of leaves my lips as I stare at my love.

He is lying on top of me, his russet hair covered in snow and ice. His lips are the palest blue, and icicles dust his eyelashes.

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