Page 125 of Three Dark Kings and the Gilded Serpent

Stellen pumps water into two cups, one for me and one for him. The cool water is soothing after the intense heat outside. I may be able to tolerate vast temperature changes, but that doesn’t mean I love them.

“Ember Fae typically sleep through the day,” Stellen says, finishing his water and leaning against the wall near the pump. “They live their lives at night, but the battle at the border didn’t leave much time for sleeping.”

I take note of the dark rings beneath his eyes before I return my empty cup to a ledge and cross to Stellen, pressing my hand to his heart. “When did you last rest?”

He hums in the back of his throat, a sound without power. “Maybe a day and a half ago.”

More hesitantly, I ask, “How is your heart?”

A heart that survived two assassination attempts and beats despite everything fate has thrown against him.

“Right now?” His arms sweep around me, one hand rising to the back of my head, then trailing down my braid where his warrior’s ribbon is entwined in my hair. “Happy.”

Warmth spreads across my chest, but deep beneath my happiness is a darkness that will poison the trust between us unless I’m honest with him.

The blood bind is hurting him. Antony and Maxim, too. The blood bind is the reason Stellen nearly lost his life. I have no idea what damage the bind may have inflicted on Antony and Maxim, only that my increased strength means their power must be diminished, just as Stellen’s power is.

I could tell myself the bind will be removed soon. There’s no need to endanger myself by revealing the bind’s purpose. But my fear of the consequences is just that: fear.

I won’t be able to fully trust Stellen, or Antony, or even Maxim for that matter, if I’m only seeking their help through artifice or deception.

“Thyra?” Stellen’s fingertips brush the side of my neck, my armor parting to make way for his touch. “Your heart is pounding. Talk to me.”

I withdraw from his embrace, setting firm distance between us.

“Thyra?” He lifts himself from the wall, his posture wary now, his shoulders tense.

On the other side of the room, Nara raises her head from her paws where she was resting, no doubt sensing my rising tension.

“I have to tell you—” My throat tightens and I shake myself, trying to bring moisture to my mouth.

He jolts toward me. “Thyra, you’re terrified.” The corners of his mouth turn down. “I never want you to be afraid of me.”

“You should be afraid of me,” I whisper, a strained, sudden, harsh outburst that stops him in his tracks.

“Why?”

“Because I’m killing you.”

Chapter Forty-Four

Stellen

Thyra’s heart is pounding so hard, the beats could break me.

“I’m killing you,” she says, her faded blue eyes swimming with fear.

She turns her forearm out, fully exposing the Dragonstone Blade, the ivory wrapping, and the dark runes. “The blood bind is draining your power. And giving it to me.”

My heart has frozen. What she said makes terrible sense. My hearing has failed me, coming in and out. My frost has failed me, weak when I needed my ice to be strong. Weaker with every passing day. Not so much as to be immediately noticeable and even when I did notice it, I could rationalize it for some other reason.

The conversation Lilis tried to have with me is suddenly stark in my memory. She said Thyra was advancing faster than should be possible to the point of turning what should be exhaustion into energy. She warned me Thyra has the potential to become extremely efficient at killing anyone.

Lilis feared she was training the next False Queen.

“I’m the reason your strength is failing.” Thyra’s shoulders slump and her eyes become dull.

Moments ago, she was full of life and determination. Now, heartbreaking resignation floods her voice. “There are no guarantees Maxim can remove the bind. At some point, you’ll have to make a rational choice⁠—”