Page 212 of Embers in the Snow

Bless her soul.

Kaith and Ciel were right.

My bloodheals.

It’s counterintuitive. Considering that vampires are of the direct line of the Goddess of Death, one might think that shouldn’t be the case.

But my blood breaks seals, and it’s always been able to chase away death.

Suddenly, I understand.

I’m a Child of Hecoa. My ancestors are descended from the Goddess herself. And when I died and went to the underworld, the Goddess of Death gave me a drop of her essence.

But my power isn’t death.

It’s the absence of it.

My blood doesn’t give life. It simply reverses death.

Finley is life itself, and she sustains me.

The ground beneath my feet begins to tremble.

It worked.

Green eyelashes flutter.

Then her eyes snap open, and I’m looking into twin pools of glowing green, and for a moment, her gaze is the most terrifying thing in the world, because it’s filled with wrath, but as she catches sight of me, her eyes soften.

Sheknows.

“Don’t be afraid,” I say gently.

“Afraid?” Her voice is deep and resonant; inhumanly so, like a chorus of a thousand voices distilled into one. “Why would I be afraid of you, sweet child?”

“You must understand that I’m nothing like the others—the ones that captured and hurt you. And…” I hesitate, unsure whether I should reveal something so vital lest she become protective. “I’m bonded to your daughter. I’m here on her behalf, to set you free and bring you to her.”

“Iknow.”

“You know?”

She rises to her feet, moving like water; impossibly graceful in spite of her condition. “An ancient tree told me so. Quickly now, child. Take my hands into yours. Be at ease, for I will take care of everything.”

My ears alert me to Ansar’s presence; he’s followed us out of the cage. His footsteps are loud and clumsy. I can smell his pungent blood, seeping from where I impaled him.

“Don’t move, Corvan. Step back right now, or I’ll destroy her.”

I don’t care. I pull off my glove and press my palm against Aralya’s.

He can’t do anything now.

I’ve freed the dryad.

I’m fairly certain she could crush Ansar beneath her foot like an insect if she wished.

As my skin touches hers, a frisson of energy passes between us.

“Don’t you want any more… of my blood?”

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