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My breath caught in my throat. “Maybe. It explains why Lilita was released.” And dread curled in my chest because I couldn’t accept that my attempt to help had retaliated and cursed all four princes—andme.
“We’ll find out tonight, so we need to be ready.” Talin’s voice darkened. “As much as I love you, this curse wasn’t something I wanted to share with youall.”
“WhatIwant to understand,” Leven said, “is why do all of you still have your pants on from the transformation, and I lostmine?”
“Because you got a fat ass,” Raze teased. “And when we changed, our pants didn’tsplit.”
I couldn’t help but laugh, along with everyone else. Considering the shithole we’d just landed in, nothing ought to have made me laugh until my ribsached.
I guessed misery lovedcompany.
We all fell silent in a solemn state because what were we meant to do next? A suffocating sensation constricted around mychest.
“What do you think happened when she kissed me?” Ash asked, his hand still on my leg, his warmth spreading across my skin. “The spark throwing her off me sent her packing and brought youback.”
“Maybe your breath killed her.” Raze shoved a fist against Ash’s shoulder andchuckled.
Ash glowered and placed a hand over his mouth, smelling his own breath. “Definitely not my breath. It’s my enchanting kiss.” He waggled hiseyebrows.
I loved how even in the face of adversity, they jokedaround.
“I don’t know why she reacted,” I said. “Could be that we’re under the curse, and her magic is reacting to it? Once two or more spells overlap, anything can happen. If I was home in Terra, I’d go through my magic books for ideas on what herbs could amplify my ability. I might find a way to protect us, keep Lilita at bay, and find something to tackle the hex without the need to spill blood.” I didn’t plan on giving Lilita any reasons to return. If Mom were still alive, she’d have told me how to keep my dark side at bay. I’d never seen her struggle with hers, so what was I doingwrong?
“I own a few books on plants,” Ash offered. “Might even have a couple onmagic.”
I did a double take at Ash, gasping. “So magic isn’t banned in WhitePeak?”
Ash shook his head. “No, of coursenot.”
Yeah, because only the insane priestess in Terra had implemented that prehistoricrule.
Raze interrupted my thoughts. “What we need is to lock ourselves up. Our only cage is damaged from when we pried it open together, so it needs to be strengthened. That’s our firstconcern.”
“I disagree.” Talin had a sneer in his voice. “Our priority is ensuring that psycho Lilita doesn’t return. She fucking controlled us! Cages are useless if she’s free.” His hands balled, and I could see him smashing a fist into thewall.
The urge to curl in on myself and hide flooded me. They feared what lay inside me, but then so did I. But if the curse was to blame for bringing her out, then would she reappear once night settled? Just as all four princes would transform intobears?
A boulder might as well be sitting on my chest because I could barely breathe. We were running out of time. In my heart, I wished I could retract ever accepting this assignment. As much as I was starting to really like these princes, I'd caused more trouble than they'd already been in. It would've been better if we’d never met. At that thought, a pain hit my chest, stealing my breath. But I knew the truth of the severity of what had happened. I’d just signed everyone’s death warrant, including myown.
“All right, Ash,” I said, “where are your books on herbs? Everyone else needs to come up with a new solution to fixing the damaged cage. Unless you have a dungeon under the castle? We can lock you down there if you do. That’s all I can think of. Then, we’ll work out a plan for your cousin. Our priority is us not tearing each other apart.” And keeping Lilita forever atbay.
With the men all staring at me, I forced asmile.
“We got rid of the dungeon,” Leven said. “Turned the cells into entertainment rooms withgames.”
Ash placed his hand into mine, our fingers intertwined. He drew me across the room. “Come withme.”
Nausea whirled through my stomach unrestrained.Goddess, please help me find a solution to saveeveryone.
