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“There! Stop her!”

She thrust her arms through the flames and screamed as the fire burned through her flesh. Keeping her eyes on the dagger until her fingers wrapped around the hilt, fighting the nauseating agony as the fire burned through layers of skin and tissue in her arms, as the sleeves of her gauzy gown melted away and her hair singed.

Hands grabbed her shoulders. She pulled the hilt as hard as she could, pulled until her stomach heaved from the pain and the scent of burning flesh.

All at once, she stumbled back.

Bright white light and a pulse of power flooded the room, knocking her on her ass. She vomited, her head spinning and her mind growing foggy. Terrified howls filled her ears. The sensory overload was too much for her, and she rolled onto her back, her arms burnt, skin crackling.

A strange sensation of numbness cast over her and she dared to open her eyes. The bright light had died out, but the glow of a golden angel hovered over her. She swore the corners of her mouth curled in a peaceful grin.

The last thing she heard before the numbness caped her mind in darkness was the deep, hypnotic voice of the Fae king.

“Imagine, mortal, what you shall awaken to.”

42

Bryce raised his arms as Rihanna peeled off the linen shirt, leaving him bare-chested in her presence.

And a specimen in the presence of Liam.

The woman who owned this bakery, Pompelia, had set them up in a closet-sized room after the shock of the kidnappings subsided and anger replaced tears. He held no doubt in his mind that Shaye and the others were planning some way to retrieve the children without playing into Daeanna’s hands. About an hour had passed since they learned the truth about the children, and his wound was actively healing.

The energy had switched from panic and fear to determination and motivation. It was a powerful zing in the air, one he swore tasted like copper on his tongue.

As he lowered his arms to his sides, he tried to ignore the airy brush of Rihanna’s fingers along his spine, coming to pause over the area where he’d taken the dagger. A residual ache was the only symptom of trauma. When he gave the area a rough touch before Rihanna came into the small room, he felt no puncture, scab, or scar.

Liam rounded Bryce, his sharp blue eyes focused on his back. “Your sister-in-law is certainly clever, and intuitive to have given Bryce the potion when she did. Daeanna aimed to kill, and she would’ve succeeded had he not taken the potion.”

“I thought shehadsucceeded,” Rihanna murmured. Her touch disappeared, leaving him cold until she stepped in front of him, those breathtaking amethyst eyes capturing every ounce of his attention. She brushed a lock of hair from his eyes, then traced his lower lip. “May I have the ring?”

“Ah.” He tapped the tip of her nose and chuckled. “No, little bird. I won’t allow you to stuff me into that confined cave without a way to escape. We face this together now.”

“I didn’t stuff you in a cave.”

“No, your brother did that. You simply talked me into going along with the absurd idea.” He drew her closer, their hips flush as he held her by the waist. “I’ve a feeling if he had a choice, he’d be more than happy to poof me right back there.”

Rihanna sighed, leaning her forehead to his chin. Her fingers splayed over his chest, her tumultuous thoughts creeping through their bond to taunt him. She relived the moment she realized he’d taken a dagger meant for her. Her fear of losing him. Again. He raised his hand and smoothed back the battle mussed strands of her hair, tucking strands behind the point of her ear.

“My brother had the best interests of his wife, children, and you in mind when he enforced his order. I seldom argue with his decisions, for they’re intended to best serve all parties involved.”

“Bryce, allow me a moment to assess the wound,” Liam interrupted. Rihanna straightened and put a few inches between them. Still, she tilted her head into his palm andcupped the back of his hand. “You’ll feel a cold sensation. ’Twill last a few seconds.”

Liam pressed a hand to Bryce’s back, where the dull ache resided. At first, there was nothing. No sensation of magic or power or healing.

Then ice began to soak into his skin, pressing deeper and deeper until the sensation made him shift on his feet and clench his teeth. The urge to scratch at his back grew unbearable, the cold uncomfortable.

Unable to refrain any longer, Bryce groaned and glanced over his shoulder.

Liam met his gaze and said, “Internally, there are a few areas that need more healing. I’m also searching for indications of poisoning. Those were battle daggers. She would not have come without the blades being laced.”

“Is there poisoning?” Rihanna asked before he could ask the same question.

“Aye.” Liam’s brows furrowed and his lips drew tight. “Although you fare extremely well after such foolish actions, considering Horano was struck with a poisoned blade and still heals.” He pulled his hand away. The icy needles retracted and he felt a cinch beneath his skin, like invisible sutures had been drawn together. Bryce grunted at the discomfort and was about to ask if Liam had done that on purpose. The man’s expression kept him silent. He appeared...confused, which Bryce gathered was not a look Liam wore often. “Curious, though, that the poison was contained within the wound. It didn’t spread as it had with Horano.”

Liam shook out his hand. A frosty reflection flung from his fingertips and dissipated into the floor.

“Why didn’t you try to stop her?” Bryce finally asked.