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Clomp, clomp, clomp. Hooves click against linoleum. A moment later, Pestilence rounds the corner, towing Trixie behind him.

I freeze at the sight of him.

Unlike me, who must look like fresh shit (because I certainly feel like it), Pestilence is back to looking angelic—unstained, unsullied, untouchable.

The only thing about him that’s different is the harsh set of his features. I didn’t realize that hardness had been missing from his expression—even when he hated me—until now. But as soon as he sees me, his face softens. Softens completely.

Pestilence releases his horse’s reins and swiftly strides over to me. He cups my face and kisses me, his lips lingering. “You’re awake—awake andalive.” He pulls away, his eyes shining as they search mine.

I swallow. By all rights I should be dead.

Iwasdead … wasn’t I?

For a moment my mind conjures up a brief flash of wings, but then the image slips away.

“I meant to be here when you woke.” Pestilence’s hands glide over me, like they need to make sure that I am, in fact, alive. “I did not leave your side, not until an hour ago when I retrieved Tricksy.”

One of his palms moves over my heart. He rests it there, closing his eyes. “I thought you haddied,” his voice breaks, “that you had slipped beyond my reach.”

I touch his cheek. “You saved me.”

Pestilence leans into the touch, his eyes opening. “I willalwayssave you,” he says fervently. “And what you went through willneverhappen again.”

A chill runs through me as shadows enter his eyes. His gaze clears a moment later, and I think I might’ve imagined the whole thing.

Pestilence frowns. “You should not be out of bed, Sara.”

I really shouldn’t be.

“I’m fine,” I say smoothly.

The horseman’s frown deepens at the lie.

My eyes move past his shoulder, where bloated bodies lie about. “What happened?” My voice is low and raspy.

Rather than responding, Pestilence begins to usher me towards Trixie. I try to stand against him, try to hold out until he gives me answers, but he’s much too strong and much too stubborn, so I let him silently lead me back to his steed.

“Hey there,” I weakly say to Trixie. Last time I saw the horse, he’d been all but dead. Now the beast drops his nose and nudges me.

Hitched behind Trixie is a wagon, the bed of it lined with a plush mattress, a pillow and a blanket.

For me.

A hazy memory surfaces.

I love her.

That’s what Pestilence had said.

I grab his forearm. “I heard you.” I swivel to look at Pestilence even as my heartrate picks up. It’s not just pain that’s now overwhelming me, it’s all these exquisite emotions that are too big to fit beneath my skin.

The horseman looks at me quizzically. “Heard what, dear Sara?”

“Youloveme.” My voice catches.

I don’t question the sentiment like I once did, when he got confused between love and lust. Not after what the two of us just went through.

He pauses. At first I see some hesitancy in his gaze, as though he’s not sure how I’m going to react to that news. But whatever expression I wear, it causes his eyes to shine.