Page 97 of By the Flames of Her Fury

“There is a ritual,” she said carefully. “One we have record of the original demithes performing. But it’s dangerous, Vera.”

“Tell me.”

She swallowed. “Once the Fates banished Pyraeth, the originals knew they would never live to see the outside world again—not if the kingdom only resurfaced every century. So they found a way to keep themselves alive until the next one hundred years passed and they could go through the portal to search for the Lightbringer.”

My forehead scrunched. “How?”

“They would put themselves in a sort of stasis. Frozen in time, so to speak. Their bodies shut down, but they were still alive, until the spell was broken and they woke once more. It allowed them to live for centuries. But it came at a price,” Maeve said. “They were not truly living. Eventually they gave up hope of ever finding a savior, and they put the ritual to rest so they could die and let their descendants continue the quest. But this ritual still exists. And if it froze their bodies in time, then⁠—”

“It can freeze Odessa. And the infection,” I finished for her.

“But it could also kill her,” Everett countered.

I pointed to Odessa, whose features screwed in anguish. “It’s already killing her. This will buy me time to find that amulet.”

“What if you do this ritual, and she doesn’t wake up at the end?” he asked.

“And what if we don’t do it, and I can’t fix it in time?” I shot back. They didn’t understand. This pressure wasn’t on them. The fate of our friend wasn’t hanging over their heads.

I needed more time.

Kieran stepped forward, his presence solid and steady among the frenzy of the rest of us. “I think,” he said slowly, “that this decision is ultimately not up to any of us. We must ask Odessa what she wishes.”

I took a deep breath. “He’s right.” Crossing to the bed, I crouched at Odessa’s head. I smoothed my hand across her forehead, feeling how hot her skin was.

She leaned into my touch with a groan. “Vera,” she croaked. “It hurts.”

“I know, I know,” I said softly. Kieran appeared across from me, hovering over her with fists clenched at his sides. “Odessa, listen. The High Elders have an idea for how to slow the infection and give me time to save you. But it—it’s dangerous.” I glanced up at Kieran. Fates, how could I ask her to do this? To risk her life and potentially never wake up again?

But how could I not?

“What is it?” she asked.

“There’s this ritual they can perform to put you in a deep sleep,” I said. “It will shut the infection down, but it will also shut your body down until we can wake you up again.”

Her eyes widened. “So I—I’ll die?”

Kieran lowered himself to his knees. “No, Odessa. We will not let that happen.”

“No, not die, just…freeze. Temporarily,” I amended. “And when we wake you up, the infection will be gone and you’ll be good as new. The Elders said their ancestors used to do this, and it worked for them. They think it can work for you, too.” It has to work, I thought to myself. “But there are always risks. The choice is up to you. And if you decide not to, I will do everything in my power to⁠—”

Odessa cut me off. “I trust you, Vera. I’ve seen your magic, and I’ve seen what you can do when you put your mind to it.” Her lips lifted in a pained smile. “If this means you’ll have more time, then I’ll do it.”

Her faith made my chest ache. I nodded and took her hand. “I’m sorry, Odessa. I’m so sorry I got you involved in this.”

To my surprise, she laughed, which turned into a choke. “Don’t be ridiculous. I’m the one who told you about the kingdom. And I don’t regret it. I would’ve never gotten to see that this place was real, or to see magic, if it weren’t for you.”

“We’re going to wake you up, I promise. Then I’ll show you all the magic you could ever wish for.” I squeezed her hand, then looked back at the High Elders. They nodded solemnly.

“I’ll see you soon, Odessa,” I whispered. She let go of my hand, and I stood. Kieran lingered by her a moment longer. Slowly, he pressed a cloth to her forehead, wiping away her sweat. Without a word, he backed away.

“The other amulet,” Arcadia said, holding out a hand to Maeve. She gave him the sun amulet from around her neck, and he put it on top of his phoenix one. Golden light haloed the artifacts, and a deep hum echoed through the room.

“Are you ready?” he asked Odessa, who nodded. He then turned to me. “Daughter, would you like to help?”

I blinked. “Me?”

“Your power will magnify ours. We are stronger when united.” He beckoned me closer, and I took a tentative step forward.