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My stomach plummeted.

Gerarda grabbed my arm. “Even if Damien dispatched his Arsenal the night we left the Order, they still have not reached Volcar yet.”

I tried to do the calculations in my head, but I couldn’t. I had spent too many nights fighting my own battles to count the days, nor did I know how quickly the trip could be made by sea. I turned to Myrrah. “How soon can we expect them?”

Myrrah folded her arms across her chest. “It will be tight, but they should still be at sea for five more days. Two if the winds were nothing but favorable.”

The muscles in my back eased by the smallest fraction. It was a window. A tiny window, but better than nothing.

“Nikolai, make the necessary arrangements.” I turned to Syrra. “Work with the Fae and Myrrah and make sure everyone is equipped with whatever weapons and armor they need.” They both nodded and the crowd began to disperse.

Rheih started out of the room but I grabbed her hand. Feron had somehow sensed that I wanted to speak with him. He waited, perfectly still in his chair as the room emptied.

His gaze flickered to Killian’s and then to his own ring on my finger. “I trust thisconnectionis why you asked for my ring?”

My cheeks flushed and I nodded.

“Can I also trust that whatever this connection is, you are certain it is not putting the Elverin at risk?” Feron’s voice carried a serious tone that lacked its usual warmth.

I nodded again.

“It didn’t work the way Damien anticipated.” I swallowed, not wanting to get into the details of what had been happening in those dreams. “I can control them as much as he can. And Rheih’s elixirs have stopped them completely.”

Feron’s chin lifted. “Not completely. You knew about the Halfling attacks before we did.”

I cleared my throat. “My vial of elixir was damaged on our way out of the Isles. I tried to stay conscious, but—”

Killian grabbed my hand and squeezed. “You did nothing wrong, Keera. You got everyone back to the portal safely.”

My throat seared for the first time in days. “Not everyone.” My vision blurred, but I refused to let my fears overwhelm me. I wanted Feron to confirm them first. “Where is Riven?”

Feron’s gaze fell to the floor. Rheih clucked her tongue in a dejected tone that made my skin shiver.

Killian stepped between us. “Feron thought it best for Riven’s magic to be fully suppressed,” Killian answered, squeezing my hand. “That way the pain can’t affect him nearly as much.”

I swallowed a sob and nodded. “Will that protect him? What will happen when the next seal breaks?”

Feron flexed his jaw and shrugged. “There is no way to know. There are no remedies to Riventh’s fractured magic. As the magic grows, his pain may only get worse. He could succumb to it completely.”

My entire body froze. I was unable to breathe, unable to think. My feet were not touching the ground, instead I was drowning in a pool of my worst fears.

“Or,” Feron said, grabbing my shoulder. “When the magic is restored, a balance may be reached across Elverath. Perhaps his magic will be balanced too.”

Killian’s jaw hardened and I could see the doubt settling into his face. He didn’t dare meet my eye.

“I may be able to help.” Rheih gave a loud huff and folded her arms. “Riventh helped create that elixir of yours.” She nodded at mypocket. “He let me bottle some of his magic to add to the recipe. Perhaps yours will extend him the same relief your bond does.”

“Take it.” My voice was a desperate rasp. “Whatever you need. Take it all.”

Rheih’s lip trembled as she patted my arms. “I will fetch you in the morning. The most important thing you can do for him is rest.”

Rheih left the room with a nod.

I turned to Feron. “Can I see him?”

Feron’s brows knitted together as he glanced at Killian. “I don’t think that is best,” Feron whispered.

I stepped out of his grasp. “Why?” I turned to Killian, my joints bent and my muscles tight like I was preparing for an attack.