Page 63 of Blood Curse

“How much is too much?” Bryony asked.

“If he loses strength in his legs, we’re done. If his heart stutters, I remove the dagger myself.”

“You won’t have to,” I said.

Elias looked unimpressed. “I have treated you before.”

I accepted the bundle and laid it on the rim.

Bryony watched my hands. “Still your choice?”

“Yes.”

“Don’t answer quickly for my sake.”

“I’m not.” I touched the folded cloth but didn’t open it. “I want the Crown gone. I want you free of it. I also want to live long enough to be unbearable about your shoes.”

Her mouth softened. “You already are.”

“Then I have more to live for.”

“Stellan.”

The humour left her voice. I met her eyes.

“I want to do this,” I said. “If that changes, you’ll know.”

“You tell me. I don’t want to guess.”

“I promise.”

She nodded and pressed her palm harder against the silver.

I unfolded the first layer of cloth.

The dagger’s black hilt appeared.

Bryony went still.

Her pulse missed one beat.

“Stop,” I said.

Her eyes widened. Her throat worked. Her lips parted.

When she spoke, the words were hers and they were not.

“Drive the blade beside your heart.”

I dropped the cloth. My fingers didn’t release it.

Silver links snapped around my wrist. They were gone almost as soon as I saw them, but the command remained. It slid into the muscles of my hand and pulled my fingers closed around the dagger.

Bryony tore her palm from the carving.

Darkness flooded the water.

“Leave it,” I told her. “Get out of the spring.”