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“It’s… not all clear,” he admitted, flexing his hands to study the new scars that ran across his skin. A gift from Isaac, burned into his very flesh. “But I’m different now, I know that.”

“You’re a Blood Worker,” Shan said, quietly. “You’re just what you were always supposed to be, if the power in your blood hadn’t been stifling it.”

He shuddered, the memory rising in him. His power had always been addicting, but what he had done, what he had accessed, was beyond everything he ever dreamed of. It had been a madness. “What did I—” he choked on the words. “Did I kill him?”

“Isaac lives,” Shan said gently, squeezing his hand. “The King has him imprisoned, for now.”

He let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. “I was so scared.” Shan was looking at him with something like awe, and he wanted to hide from it. “Please don’t look at me like that.”

“You drew the power into yourself, Samuel,” she said. “The blood that Isaac had spilled, the blood he used to light the flames. You called it into yourself, harnessed it to your will. Twisted his magic away from him. Blood and steel, you’re so strong.”

“Shan,” he whispered, but she just moved closer.

“Most people don’t realize how easy Blood Working really is. It’s as natural as breathing, and once you taste the power it turns into something instinctual. But it nearly destroyed you.” She brushed her hand against his cheek, barely a touch. “I’ve never seen anyone take to Blood Working like you did, but, even so, you weren’t ready. You weren’t trained. It nearly ate you alive.”

“You saved me,” he whispered, remembering. It had been her connection, that bridge between them, that had pulled him back to his humanity.

“Maybe we should just accept that we saved each other?” Shan smiled at him, and he swore he could feel a lingering echo of her relief.

But that was madness. The bridge had clearly shattered when he released the fire.

“Yes, we did.” He leaned into her touch. “I’m sorry.”

“About what?”

“About everything.”

“No,” she said. “We were both fooled by Isaac. By Alessi. They wanted to take down the King, and I cannot fault them for that even if I cannot abide their methods.” She stared at the wall, her eyes unfocused and sad. “Damn it all, Isaac. I should have reached out to him sooner. Perhaps if I had—”

“It’s not your fault,” Samuel said, though he wasn’t sure he believed it. Secrets and lies and schemes had brought them to this point, and they played a dangerous game.

“We could have been allies,” she said. “We should have been allies. But now we’re enemies.”

“He still lives, Shan,” he said, though he remembered the way Isaac had explained his power. His methods.

“Yes,” Shan whispered, “but he is in the grasp of the King. And even if he wasn’t, I don’t know if we could trust him.”

He inclined his head. “We still have each other, at least.”

She looked at him in surprise. “You mean that, don’t you?”

“Well. I am trapped in your bed, aren’t I?” Her lips quirked into an amused smile, and he groaned. “Not like that, Shan.”

“Of course not,” she said, slyly. “I’d never take advantage of an ill man.”

“Thank goodness you have some morals after all,” he grumbled, and she threw back her head and laughed. “What now?”

“The King hasn’t been back here since the day of… well, everything. But don’t worry, he is pleased with us.” Shan ran her thumb across the scars on the back of his hand. “He tried to heal you, but there wasn’t anything he could do. You just needed time. I suppose I should send him a message. He’ll probably want to see us.”

“Can I get a bath and a shave first?”

Shan studied him. “I don’t know, the beard makes you look more mature.”

“It itches,” he replied.

“Do as you like,” she said with a grin. “Besides, you kind of smell.”

“You wound me, dear lady,” Samuel said, placing his hand over his heart, and she rolled her eyes at him.