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His breathing lessened like he was slipping away. “Lead our people, Queen Lily Rothschild.”

“Dad, you’re going to be okay.” Tears spilled over my eyes and splashed onto his face. “You’re going to be okay.” I looked atAunt Eldinar. “He’s going to be okay, right? He’s going to be okay…”

Blood was smeared all over her face, but it wasn’t hers. “The bleeding won’t stop, and I do not know why.”

Uncle Ezra examined the golden blade that had pierced my father before he tossed it aside. “It’s something to do with the blade.”

I turned back to my father, the tears suddenly more potent.

“Zunieth, it’s okay…” His voice was weaker now. “We protected the Great Tree…and you’re safe…and that’s all I care about.”

“Dad…no.”

His eyes took me in for a long moment, studying my face like he wanted to treasure it in his last moments. “I’m so proud of you…”

“No…” I started to sob.

“Not because you saved this forest…not because you protected our people…but because you’re my daughter.”

“Dad…” I gripped his hand and sobbed, splashing tears all over him.

He suddenly went weak and closed his eyes, and he grew still.

“No!” I felt his hand go limp in mine, felt the life leave his body. “No. No, this can’t be happening.”

Queen Eldinar closed her eyes and bowed her head, as if saying a prayer.

I dropped his hand and got to my feet, my eyes frantically searching for Wrath and finding him a moment later.

He gave me a look of sympathy so deep it was as if he’d lost his own father.

“Please help me.”

“There’s nothing I can do?—”

“Spare him, and you can take my soul.”

After a long stare, he gave a slight shake of his head.

“My soul is unworthy to you.”

“Your soul is too worthy,” he whispered.

“Please—”

“No.”

“I will be in the underworld with you.”

“Your father would never want that. I won’t do it, Lily.”

I didn’t care that I was talking to someone no one could see. I didn’t care if everyone thought I was a lunatic. “Help me.Please.” The tears were so heavy that my vision blurred.

His eyes dropped to the ground like he didn’t want to watch me suffer anymore.

“Please.” I dropped to my knees in front of him and sobbed.

Wrath let me cry.