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Seth led him away from the now blood-spattered wall. “You would cope a lot better if you slept.”
Niall pulled away. “I can’t.”
“You can. You need to.” Seth used a foot to push a bunch of glass to the side. It crunched under his boot.
Niall looked down at his own bare feet. “I’m bleeding.”
“Yeah. I know,” Seth said.
“I wouldn’t hurt you.”
“What?”
Niall made a vague gesture. “You’re afraid. I wouldn’t hurt you.”
“I didn’t—”
“I can taste it,” Niall interrupted.
Seth quirked a brow.
“Dark King thing,” Niall muttered. Then he swayed. He leaned against the wall. “I’m tired, Seth.” He pushed off the wall immediately. “No. I’m not. Find me something—”
“No.”
Niall turned then, and the abyss-guardians snapped to life around them. “I am the Dark King. If I say—”
“Niall. Seriously. Chill the fuck out.” Seth grabbed him by both shoulders. “You need to sleep. Trust me.”
“I can’t. No sleep since he’s been gone . . . He haunts my dreams.” Niall leaned his head on Seth’s shoulder. “I’m afraid . . . and I cannot do this on my own, Brother.”
“Where’s Gabe?”
“With Iri.” Niall glanced toward a closed door. “I ordered him to stay with Irial. I needed to leave the room, but I didn’t . . . I can’t . . . This is our home.”
“Do you trust me?”
“I do.”
“I want you to remember that, Niall,” Seth said, and then he called, “Elaina!”
The blur of Hounds raced toward them. Niall stared at them as they encircled him.
“Your king needs to find rest,” Seth told the female Hound.
Then Seth looked at Niall. “Give me permission.”
“For?”
“Trust me,” Seth pleaded. “What I do is necessary.”
Niall stared at him—and hesitated. “You have permission for the acts of the next minute.”
“That’ll do it.” Reluctantly, Seth gave the order he knew his friend needed: “Knock him out. He needs sleep.”
Chapter 19
Early the following morning, Donia stood at the veil to Faerie. Her requests for an audience with the Dark King were refused, so she decided to try the next regent on her list. She put her hand out into the air, grasping at nothing-
