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“Hel, do something!” If anyone could save him, it was him, but she saw the worry etched on his face. The growing panic.

“It’s not working,” his voice wavered. “I think the poison has reached his heart.”

Presco stopped. “If you can draw the poison out it might work.”

“I’m trying,” he snapped. “But this isn’t natural, it’s from demons.”

“Create a rune like you did for me. Stop it.”

Hel’s chin trembled. “I can’t stop it if it’s already too late.”

“We’re not giving up on him. He never gave up on me.” Valeen hit his chest again and again. With tears pouring down her cheeks, she took his face in between her palms once more. “You have to stay here. Do you hear me? You can’t make us wait to find you again.” He didn’t stir; his heart didn’t beat. “Thane, please,” her voice broke, and she felt her insides crumbling, felt the hope slipping away like a bottle going out to sea.

The sound of Piper’s sobs filled the silence. Fennan kept saying, “No, no, no.”

She fell back onto her behind and wrapped her arms around her knees and let out a scream that burned her throat.

Then Varlett appeared and shoved Piper aside. “Move, all of you.”

Was there hope in the person who nearly destroyed them all? They all gave Varlett plenty of room. Hel began to pace. “Varlett, I swear on everything that is holy; if you don’t save him, I will find a way to kill you.”

Varlett pushed a thick silver and black ring on her finger and placed her palm flat on his chest. Words in a foreign tongue slipped out of her lips.

Why the dragon shifter helped them was beyond her, but it didn’t matter. Valeen’s body trembled as she watched War for signs of life.Please, please, wake up.

A green liquid—the poison—drew out of his mouth until it hovered in a wavering ball above, and Varlett flicked it aside with a wave of her hand.

One beat.

Two.

“Come on,” Varlett said and pushed down on his chest in fast, steady motions. “You’re the god of war. You don’t get to die again. Get up!”

His lips drew in air, his chest rose, and his eyelids fluttered. Relief flooded Valeen and she let out a choked sob.

With a long exhale, Varlett fell back onto her hindquarters, and dropped her head into her hands. “He’s alive.” She let out a sharp breath. “He’s alive,” she repeated.

Everyone around started to cheer, clapping hands with the Raven beside them or throwing a fist into the air. Leif kissed the inside of his fingers and held his palm up to the sky in a gesture to the Maker.

War coughed and rolled onto his side, breathing heavily like he’d been sprinting for miles. He blinked rapidly and slowly pushed himself up. The confusion on his face at everyone gathered around him, said plainly enough he didn’t realize how close to death he’d come. “Are they gone?” he blurted out before anyone else could get a word in. “Did we kill them all?”

Valeen threw her arms around him, squeezing him hard, like if she didn’t he would leave them forever. “You’re alright.” Happy tears came now. “Thank the All Mother, you’re alright.”

He nuzzled his face against her neck and breathed in deeply. “I’m not going anywhere. I couldn’t leave you.”

She pulled away and forced a smile at him. “Do you feel fine? Can we get you a drink? Do you need Hel to heal you anywhere?”

They both rose up and he patted down his body like he was making sure it was all there. “I’m good, I think. You killed Morv?”

She glanced back at Hel. He watched them with a guarded expression, even a little bitterness. “He’s gone,” Hel answered. “For good. Valeen has Soulender.”

He nodded and then turned to his Ravens. “There are people who need help. Bring all the injured to the infirmary.”

There were murmurs and nods of agreement as the gathered crowd began to disperse. Some of the soldiers came by and clapped him on the back. Many smiled and acknowledged him as High King before they left.

When all that remained was the usual group, Valeen turned to cut a glare at Varlett.

Saving War didn’t absolve her of anything. “Bind her.”