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“Me, too.” Blaze winked at me, his desire thrumming between us like a living thing, and I flushed all the way down to my toes.
I tensed when the doors finally opened and a male servant, who looked mostly human except for slightly tapered ears, bowed before us.
“My Lords.” He bowed even lower when he faced me. “Your Highness, the green witch wishes to speak to you.”
I didn’t wait to be told twice. I grabbed Blaze’s hand and we ran into the room. I could hear the beating of Draevyn’s wings as he followed closely behind. The rancid smell hit me like a brick to the head.
Blaze cursed. “Elements, the smell!”
My heart caught in my throat when a young woman with auburn hair plastered to her face and dark circles under her eyes frowned up at us.
“Well?” Draevyn asked gruffly. “How is our brother?”
She barely stood, leaning against the bed while making an awkward curtsy. “My Lord, I’ve been trying for hours, and he’s made not the slightest improvement. In fact, I believe he’s worse.”
My knees buckled, and I would’ve hit the floor hadn’t Blaze caught me.
He lowered me to a chair beside the bed, and I sat there gaping at Nikkos who laid there too eerily still, as if his soul was about to pass from his body.
“Wh-what are you saying?” Draevyn stammered.
“I’m saying he can’t be saved.” The witch hung her head. “I’m very sorry.”
He can’t be saved. He. Can’t. Be. Saved.
No. I refused to believe it.
I stood on trembling legs, propelled toward the edge of the bed as if I was a puppet being pulled on a string. I felt a strange sense of detachment from my body, and I was looking through someone else’s eyes down at my dying mate.
He wasn’t moving. He didn’t appear to even be breathing.
No! No! No!
Rage took hold of me, burning through my veins like a thousand flaming suns. I threw out my hands, magic spilling from my fingertips. “Everyone, out!”
Shiri!Blaze’s reprimand echoed in my skull.
“Out!” I hollered, my siren voice reverberating like a gong.
Everyone scattered like they were being chased by the flames of hell.
Chest heaving and my heart pounding in my ears, I glared down at my mate. Nikkos wasn’t going to die, because I wasn’t going tolethim die.
I straddled his waist, hands pressed against his chest. Listen to me, Nikkos.My siren voice echoed all around us, though I didn’t feel my mouth move.You will not die. Do you understand me?I pounded his chest as magic poured from my fingers.You will not die! You will find a way to heal yourself and come back to me!
I cried out, rolling off him when his body suddenly went up in flames like a corpse on a funeral pyre. What had I done?
I flung myself back on top of him, desperate to put out the flames with my own body, not caring if the fire consumed me, too, only to be startled as a cool wind tickled my face and arms. I sat up, pressing my palms against his chest while watching the beautiful teal flames encompass him. And then I remembered the time he’d used similar flames to heal Aurora’s arm. Holy elements! The fire was healing him!
* * *
Blaze
Ipaced the hall, listeningfor any sounds coming from inside the bedchamber. What had Shirina hoped to accomplish by throwing us out? And why? He was my brother. She was my mate. I should’ve been there with them. I understood why she was upset, but I was beyond frustrated that she’d pushed me away. Draevyn just stood there, leaning against the wall, the overhead candlelight casting shadows across his features, his wings wrapped tightly around his shoulders. Why was he being so calm when our brother was moments away from taking his last breath?
“Uncle Blaze!”
I stumbled back when the girls suddenly appeared before me, launching themselves against my legs. I hoisted them up against my chest, and they clung to my neck. Even though I feared there was no hope for my injured brother, I was so relieved the children were safe. I had no doubt they’d been spared because Nikkos had shielded them.
