He didn’t.
Cold crept inward from the wound—a chill unlike any other. It burrowed into marrow, hollowing me out. No warmth answered it. I trembled against Egath, seeking heat from his chest, but frost had already settled beneath my skin.
I blinked—and he was gone.
But Uzair stood alone.
Then Tallon materialized behind him, dagger driven into his throat. Steel vanished as quickly as it appeared, replaced by Tallon’s mouth before my hand even dropped to my lap.
It was vulgar. That was the only word that fit. A chain of mouths. Three bodies in sequence, each draining the next.
My vision narrowed. Strength slipped from my limbs like sand through open fingers. I sagged against Egath.
Across the room, through the blur, I saw Deimos watching. A slow smile curved his mouth as pride lit his face.
Then the dark took me.
When Egath left me in bed, gratitude hovered at the edge of my thoughts like something shameful. His arms had held me upright while Tallon fed. He had steadied my head when the room tilted. Kindness? Or loyalty to his Fortune? The questions circled, slow and venomous. Isolation warped the mind. Walls pressed close. Silence stretched. Perhaps they wanted me to cling to Egath, to choose the lesser cruelty.
The servant returned with a tray. Meat steamed in dull slabs. A tin cup of water sweated onto the metal surface. The scent turned my stomach. I refused both with a shake of my head.
She did not argue. She stood near the bed, hands folded, gaze lowered. The only comfort she offered lay in the scarred crescents around her throat. Proof she was prey, not predator.
When morning light seeped through narrow windows, and dust motes drifted in pale gold shafts, I tried to rise, intent on dressing in the black gown from before. The floor swayed when my feet touched it. My legs buckled. Weakness hollowed me out, a reminder of what had been taken.
I burrowed back under the furs.
The servant slipped out—and when she returned, Egath trailed her quiet steps.
He sat at the edge of the bed and studied me, green eyes bright against his dark hair. So much like Tallon’s.
“You must eat. Tallon pulled too much from you.” His voice lowered as he brushed hair from my temple. “The meat will replenish you. Drink some water, and you’ll feel better.”
“I don’t want to feel better.” My throat scraped raw.
“Would you rather perish?” His head tilted, curious. “What of your husband? You were so determined to hold out for his rescue.”
My eyes snapped open, and I pushed onto one elbow despite the wave of dizziness that followed.
“Ah, there’s that plucky girl I once knew,” he said, a short laugh leaving him. “Perhaps he will soar over the Craggs on dragonback. Or claw through the collapsed tunnel we used. You would not want him forced to carry you out. He should fight with both hands free.”
“What do you know of his plans?” The words burned.
Mirth danced in his gaze. He enjoyed the reaction. Every word had been bait. He was toying with me.
The door slammed against the wall. Egath and I turned as Tallon strolled in, another Velli trailing behind him with a metal contraption braced in his arms. A hose coiled from its side. A grinder jutted from the top.
“You did not tell me she was awake, Egath.” He sighed, exaggerated disappointment curling his mouth. “One might question your allegiance, cousin.”
Cousin.
The shared coloring, the mirrored eyes. Of course.
“I serve Vellos,” Egath replied, rising.
“And Vellos serves me.” Tallon slid into the space Egath vacated, settling onto the mattress. “How are you this morning? Have you eaten?”
“I wouldn’t eat if it–”
