A Thief of Nightshade(84)

“That’s Saralia’s brother, Oberon.”

Tabor came around the corner, his huge frame swerving through the columns.

“He helped us win this battle, dear Prince.”

“Tabor,” Jullian sobbed. “What’s going on out there? Has the fighting ended?”

“No, but it will soon. Word of victory will reach everyone soon enough.

There has been much blood shed today.

All our kingdoms have suffered great losses. But, freedom always has a steep price.”

Cedrick, in quest of something to amuse and completely ignoring Tabor’s arrival, sprinkled a pinch of powder on Saralia. Once the magic had calmed her down, he hoisted her over his shoulders and announced, “I’ve fulfilled my end of the bargain here. I assure you she’ll make a nice addition to my privy, where these graceful arms of hers will be holding my towels for the rest of her eternity.”

Aislinn weakly smiled. “Does this mean we’re at peace, Cedrick?”

“For now.” He noticed Oberon then and the playfulness in his expression faded. “My condolences, Princess.”





Chapter Thirty


GIVEN CLUTCHED HER UNCLE’S SHIRT SO

HARD that her fingers felt numb, but she couldn’t stop crying. She wiped her face and glanced over when the Goblin King spoke, but barely mustered a nod in his direction.

“Come here,” Aislinn pulled her into his arms and hugged her.

“It’s not fair,” she sobbed. “Why is Saralia still alive when he’s dead? When Aubrey is still dying?”

Aislinn stroked her hair. “Saralia is dying, too, and would if Cedrick weren’t about to turn her into a statue.”

“I see before me,” Tabor said, “a room full of promise and life ... not death.

Aubrey will not perish from her wounds.”

“But, h—” Given was soon cut off.

“She will not perish because once we have returned to Agincourt, I will release the gift that I have already given her.” He motioned toward the Oran. “In this majestic creature is my life ... my connection to the Lyr. She’s had it all along. When the time arrived, she needed only to make the choice to place value on her own life.”

“You’re dying for her?” Lipsey asked.

“Yes, little one. It is a great honor, and the least that I can do to thank her for saving this world. My time has come.

Now it is time for a new generation to rule Avalar. But we must not do this here, in

such an unholy place.”

Given wiped her face on her tattered sleeve and took a moment to look around them. Tears obscured her vision, but in a way, it made the room seem that much more majestic—magical and luminescent.

So much beauty ... so much poison. It reminded her of Nightshade.

Aubrey felt warmth first, then after a few glorious moments, the light seeped into her closed eyelids, along with the realization of what she’d seen last and she finally forced her eyes open. Her vision was hazy at first, but eventually everything took shape. She recognized the bed and decor of the room.

Agincourt.

She struggled to sit up, the pain that she’d felt in her back and limbs had fled, but the throbbing ache in her chest remained.

He’s gone.

She’d seen Jullian crowned the Fae King. She’d lost and Jullian would suffer for the rest of his life because of it. Part of her wished she’d died then ... instead of living through the coronation only to die a painful death knowing she’d failed him.

Stiff and sore, she awkwardly made her way to the window to gaze out at the beautiful world she’d let down—Jullian’s world. She could hear voices, hushed and grave in tone, just outside the door. She listened for a minute or so, but couldn’t decipher the words or who spoke them.

She only recognized one voice.

The door opened and Aubrey heard footsteps, but she didn’t turn around.

“You’re awake,” Aislinn said softly.

“I failed him,” she sobbed. Aubrey hadn’t expected to be so vulnerable, but the grief was more than she could bear.

She pressed one hand against the cold windowpane.

“No,” he breathed. “You have failed no one.”

“How can you possibly say that?”

She felt the heat from his body as he came up behind her.

“You didn’t fail. Besides, isn’t the Prince supposed to do the rescuing?”

“You don’t understand. He did rescue me.” She gazed unerringly forward, tears spilling down her cheeks. “From myself. And from more than he will ever know.” She hesitated before adding, “Forgive me, I know you miss him, too.”

He laughed and the sound of it wrenched Aubrey’s heart from her chest, not merely because she thought the sentiment misplaced, but because more than anything Aislinn had voiced yet, this laugh—tender and

enchanted—was

uniquely Jullian’s. When he spoke again, it did nothing but further the pain. “You rescued yourself, Aubrey. Your courage and your strength pulled you through everything.” He paused. “I laugh not because I’m amused, but because the depth of your concern for others, despite your own suffering, will never cease to amaze me.” He wiped a tear from her face

with his thumb.