Page 131 of Dhampira

“What?”

“Nothing.”

Lorcan’s expression soured. “You’re both terrible liars.”

Another bolt of pain made me hiss and tuck my hand against my waist.

“What did you do to it?” Lorcan asked. “The truth this time, please.”

Lying was pointless—and probably stupid. Based on what I’d seen in the maze, Marrigan was just as dangerous as Rasimir, if not more. She’d obviously done something to me with the tiara. I couldn’t ignore it.

Drawing an even breath, I spoke in a rush. “I met the Devout Mother of the Crau Setra in the maze yesterday.”

The men’s eyes went almost comically huge. If our situation hadn’t been so dire, I might have laughed.

“Marrigan?” Vander asked in a strangled voice. He lifted a hand. “Wait. You met her in the maze?”

Nodding, I recounted the story, explaining how the ghost wolf had chased me into the temple, where Marrigan had insulted me and then made the tiara appear in my hand.

“This is the same injury you received at Cyprio’s cart?” Vander asked, lifting my hand again.

I bit my lip against another surge of pain. “Yes.”

Vander and Lorcan shared a look.

“What?” I asked, worry rising.

Vander sighed. “Marrigan pulled it from your mind and cursed you to carry the memory of it.”

Worry turned to horror. “Forever?”

“Without treatment, yes.”

“Can you treat it?”

Vander closed his eyes on a long blink. “No, but Ruvien can,” he sighed, sounding like just saying the name cost him. “But I don’t know if he’ll come.”

“We have to try,” Lorcan said.

Vander scowled at him. “I never suggested otherwise.” Releasing my hand, he closed his eyes completely. “Just give me a minute,” he murmured. His eyelids twitched, his eyes moving rapidly under the thin layer of skin. It was creepy.

A breeze stirred in the Everless, and goose bumps rose on my arms as I looked around. But everything appeared the same, the ruined arches, crumbling steps, and giant statue unchanged.

Vander opened his eyes, his brow furrowing. “We might have to wait a while.” He scowled again. “In fact, we should count on it. The elves don’t like being called.”

“You wound me, Vander,” Ruvien said, stepping from the temple. He was beautiful as always, his lanky body clad in a green, close-fitting jacket and brown leather trousers. Dozens of tiny braids held his waist-length hair away from his face, and he carried a spray of pink roses in one beringed hand.

He tapped the blooms against his lips as he stopped in front of me, his amethyst eyes dipping to my fingers. “Cursed with the memory of silver.” He lifted his gaze, one golden eyebrow climbing up his smooth forehead. “Marrigan is quite the bitch, is she not?”

“Can you fix it?” Lorcan asked, tension in his voice.

Ruvien tsked. “Your Grace, please. First Vander, now you?” He turned back to me. “I can remove the curse, Princess, but I’m afraid you’ll owe me a favor.” He lifted a slender shoulder. “Alas, I don’t make the rules.”

“No,” Vander said. “I won’t allow it.”

Everything within me bristled. “I can speak for myself.” I looked at Ruvien. “I might not survive long enough to pay you back.”

His smile softened. “Life is full of risk. It would be dreadfully boring otherwise.”