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Hel’s heart pounded. “Itwasreal.”

“I hate her. I hate you. I’m going to rip her heart out. And then I’m going to tear her head off.”

“You’re starting to hallucinate.” And the rage of a new pale one was starting to take hold. “I need to help you. I must let go of your hand.”

He pulled away and dashed to the desk, jerking open the drawer for ink. Several bottles rattled around inside. Then the door popped open, and War rushed in with Piper right behind him. His gaze swung from Hel over to Valeen. “No.”

Hel snatched the ink and quill, spilling droplets over his hand as he slammed it down.

War’s footsteps pounded across the floor, and he dropped to her side. “Layala…” He lifted a lock of her hair; the front strands on the right side had turned pure white. He sucked in a sharp breath.

Hel started writing,make time stop what has begun, bring back flesh anew.Wait. That wasn’t going to work. He scribbled it out.Stop the change that has begun and—

War’s fists slammed into his chest, crushing him into the bookshelf. “This is your fault! Stop this curse! Stop it right now!”

“I’m trying,” he said through clenched teeth.

“She’s turning,” his voice became hysterical. “You created this curse. She’s going to be a monster. This is your fault!” He punched him in the jaw, hard enough for Hel to see stars and knocked down half the shelves behind him spilling books everywhere.

“I know!” Hel roared, head snapping back. A coppery tang filled his mouth. “Now let go of me before I can’t stop it! If she turns fully, I can’t turn her back. This curse is beyond me.”

War dropped him, and Hel shoved past to get back to the desk. Half the ink bottle spilled across his unfinished spell. “Damn it, War. You fucked it up!” He grabbed a fresh piece of paper and dipped the quill again.

Stop the curse that has begun, bring back flesh anew. By blood and by fire I pay.Then he drew a new symbol. A wave of invisible power rocked the room, a signal it was ready. Both Hel and War hurried to her side. War placed a hand on her damp forehead and gripped her hand. “This better work.”

Piper quietly sobbed at the end of the bed. “I should have seen the pale one coming.”

“It will work.” Hel tore open the fabric of her pants over the wound, leaving him plenty of space to work. Hand trembling, he cut his finger and in his blood drew the symbol over the bite wound.This better fucking work.With a flick of his fingers, fire ignited the blood symbol. The lesions began to close, like invisible threads sewed it shut and then her flesh was perfect with a brand-new blackened rune mark over her thigh as the flames died out. He looked at her face. The white streak of hair was still there. He didn’t think his heart could pound any harder, but it did.

“Val, can you hear me?” Hel whispered.

Her skin still kept the golden hue, her lips rosy but that could change…

Her eyelids fluttered.

Say something, please. Talk to me.

“Why isn’t her hair turning back?” War slipped his arms around her and lifted her onto his lap. “Please, Layala don’t go where I can’t follow. Don’t leave us. I can’t lose you again.” He brought her up to his chest, kissing her forehead over and over.

Hel’s eyes burned and he stood tall, legs unsteady. It must work.

A minute passed. Two.

His heart might stop.

“I swear to the Maker if she turns, I’m killing you right here and now,” War snarled.

Hel swallowed hard, watching her for any signs of awareness. “I will let you.”

“Stop fighting,” she murmured, eyes fluttering open. “I’m alright.” She finally lifted her head on her own. Her crushing blue eyes found Hel first and the corner of her mouth tugged up, then she lifted them to War. “I’m sorry.”

A tear rolled down Thane’s cheek and he squeezed her into his chest. “Layala,” he breathed. “Maker above, Laya, you’re alright.”

She hugged him back and Hel looked away, a squeeze on his heart cinched. “I’m going to get some fresh air.” His boots tapped quickly as he moved to the balcony doors. He shoved them open and hurried to the railing, leaning his upper body weight against it. His shoulders sagged.Gods, I almost lost her again and it would have been my fault this time.With a flick of his fingers, a civar appeared and he took it between his lips. The sweet smoke wafted to his nose before he took a drag.

Murmured voices drifted from the room. A door closed a few moments later and then footsteps traipsed his way, too heavy to be Valeen’s. “She went to bathe off the blood and change. Piper is with her.”

Hel watched the two white swans slipping along over the water. Then a black feathered swan popped out from the reeds and joined them. War and Hel stood beside each other in silence. The sun peeked out from behind dark clouds. The smell of the fresh rain burning off drifted upward. It wasn’t even noon yet and his life was almost ruined.