Page 154 of Esperance

Amryn’s cheekbone exploded with pain.

“Amryn!” Jayveh screamed.

Instinct had Amryn jerking aside, and she heard Tam curse even as the tip of her knife struck the ground.

The blade would have gone through the back of Amryn’s neck.

She kicked out at Tam and scrambled back. Arms caught her from behind and hauled her to her feet, and Amryn struggled until she heard Jayveh hiss in her ear. “Run.”

The princess’s hands were no longer bound. She dragged Amryn away from Tam, who was pushing to her feet. Blood poured from the wound high in her chest and she was shaking with the force of her rage.

Amryn and Jayveh ran, bolting down one of the narrow aisles. Tam snarled and ran after them.

Amryn took the lead, grasping Jayveh’s hand as they darted down another aisle. The library was a maze. If they could lose Tam, they could double back and run for help. Carver needed to be warned—not just of Tam’s attack, but of the poison. They needed to figure out what had been used if they had a prayer of finding the antidote in time. Amryn didn’t know if the twisting in her gut came from fear or the poison, but she knew they were running out of time.

“Jayveh!” Argent’s scream chilled Amryn’s blood, and the princess’s hand jerked inside hers.

“Argent!” Jayveh tried to turn back, her free hand pressed to her side, which dripped blood, but Amryn tightened her hold.

“No! Jayveh, we have to—”

Argent stumbled around the corner, pale and frantic. His eyes landed on Jayveh—saw she was all right—and the wave of relief he felt nearly knocked Amryn off her feet.

“Jayveh.” Love burst from Argent, intense and all-consuming.

And then Tam slid behind him.

Jayveh screamed as Tam shoved a blade into his side, all the way to the hilt.

Argent jerked and stiffened. His eyes flew wide and his nostrils flared.

“Jayveh’s been poisoned,” Tam hissed near his ear. “But I have a vial of the antidote in my pocket.”

Argent froze—or perhaps he was rigid because Tam still gripped the knife that was buried inside him.

Jayveh took a step forward, and Tam twisted the blade slightly.

Argent groaned, and sweat dotted his forehead.

“Stay back!” Tam snapped at Jayveh. “The prince and I are talking.” Her fingers flexed around the blade still buried in his side, her other hand clutching his arm as she used him as a shield. “Things haven’t exactly gone according to plan. So, let’s improvise. You get me out of here, and I’ll give Jayveh the antidote.”

Argent’s body shook, and his voice was laced with pain. “Done.”

Jayveh choked. “Argent, no!”

“Oh,shut up.” Tam released his arm to fish in her pocket and she drew out a small vial with a pink-tinged liquid. She held it out on her palm. “Amryn, lose your knife, and come take it.”

Amryn’s fingers clenched over the hilt of her small knife, but she passed it to Jayveh and walked forward. When she stood right in front of Argent, she couldn’t help but meet his gaze.

His eyes were strangely peaceful, even though she could feel his pain. “Take care of her,” he whispered. “Make sure she’s safe.”

Amryn swallowed hard. She could only nod.

“Amryn,” Tam snapped.

She took the offered vial and slowly retreated back to Jayveh’s side.

“I love you,” Argent said, his voice horribly calm as he stared at his wife.