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“No,” I cry out.
This is wrong.
He shouldn’t be here. I’m dead. He killed me.
I put my hands on my chest, searching for the hilt of the dagger that was there only moments ago. I remember a flash of pain before seeing Death welcoming me with open arms. It’s... gone.
Memories start flooding my mind, one after the other, after the other. A plan. Nathaniel said he had a plan. Then... I was on the ground, and snow was covering me, blanketing me as my heart slowed and my lifeblood left my body.
His lips near my ear, telling me Ihadto stay alive. I had no choice, he said. The way he tugged and tugged on the bond as I drifted off.
Faint memories of being dragged through the snow start flashing through my mind before... he healed me. I don’t know how, but he healed me. My brows crease as I stare at him. My wonderful, foolish Summer Fae. His head is in my lap, and I cradle him to my chest.
“It was never supposed to be this way,” I say, as my tears fall freely. “Nathaniel, it wasn’t supposed to happen like this.”
I bend down, brushing my lips over his forehead, his eyes, his nose, as I anoint him with my tears. “You foolish male,” I say, choking on my tears, “you had to get the last word in, didn’t you? One final trick?”
Shaking my head, I brush back a lock of hair falling in his eyes before pressing my lips to his.
They’re... not frozen.
Gods.
I yank on the bond in my mind, again and again, until I feel something on the other end. A flame, burning so low that it is barely there.
Laying him gently on the ground, I ignore the pain in my body as I press my ear to his chest. The faintest beat echoes through his chest, becoming weaker by the moment.
“No,” I say, gathering him in my arms before I push myself up. Every muscle aches, protesting the movement, but I ignore them. “You don’t get to do this to me, husband. You don’t get to leave me in this hellhole and die for me.I won’t let you.”
My knees buckle at the added weight, but they hold firm. Decades of training have taught me to push through when my body is on the brink of giving up, and I will not let this be the time that they fail me.
With my arms wrapped around my husband, I start to run south. I don’t know where we are, but I need to put distance between us and my mother.
I shudder, imagining her anger at this moment.
Not grief. She would never grieve for me.
But she will be furious that a Summer Fae bested her, and took her weapon away. That’s all I’ve ever been to her. I can’t worry about that right now. Every few minutes, I tug on that bond between us, trying to push my awareness into him as I move. His flame is growing weaker, flickering out like a candle.
I’m so tired I can barely move. I know I can’t heal him right now.
After running for an hour, I climb to the top of a hill and turn in a slow circle. At first, all I see are trees, but soon, something familiar catches my eye. Far off in the distance, nestled in the forest, I see the Polar Bear Bed and Breakfast.
“Thank all the gods,” I breathe before adjusting my hold on Nathan and pressing my lips to his once more. They’re so cold, the contact sends shivers down my spine. “Just a little while longer, my love. Hold on, just a little while longer.”
* * *
“Open the door, please,”I beg as I kick the door repeatedly. Sounds of life come from inside the building, and I increase my efforts. “I need help,” I cry out. “Please!”
My arms are so heavy, and blackness is pushing in on all sides of me. My chest wound was healed, but my body is threatening to give out on me. I’ve been running for hours without rest, gripping Nathaniel in my arms.
His light is fading fast.
The door swings open just as I’m about to kick it again, and I fumble slightly, leaning against the doorframe before my legs give out entirely.
“Help us,” I say before collapsing on the ground.
* * *
