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“You’d give your life for his?” Della’s voice rang out like a song I had forgotten long ago. My heart hammered in my chest at the sound—so perfect and peaceful. Her dark dress complimented her bronze skin as she watched me cradle Cassius in my lap. Her star-like eyes showed the sadness she was feeling at the sight of us.

“Yes,” I cried.

She came and stood next to me. At first, I thought she was going to deny me. I thought she was going to take his soul right in front of me, so I shielded Cassius from her. If gods could die, I would kill her right here if she even tried to take him.

“Well, Thea Valeska, if you wish to take his place, then we will accept that trade.”

Cassius was looking at me when I turned back to his face. His tanned skin was pale. He was so close to death. He opened his mouth to stop me, but I cut him off.

“Did you hear that? I will take your place. I’ll come back again; you won’t.” He frowned and opened his mouth like he would argue. “Please don’t argue with me. I would destroy the whole realm without you. We will have another chance, but only if I take your place.”

“Della,” Haden breathed out. My focus shifted to Haden and Della staring at one another for only a moment. My hands ran through Cassius’ hair before I leaned in and kissed him softly.

Tears gathered in my eyes as I pulled back.

Then suddenly, pain was spreading like wildfire through me. My body collapsed to the hard ground next to Cassius, shaking as the magic burned through me.

“My love?” Cassius whispered as he sat up, his wound healing as his death was passed on to me. He wrapped his arms around me and cradled me. Something like white-hot fire raced through my veins, and the pain caused me to cry out as I took a shaky breath.

I looked down to see blood seeping through my shirt from an arrow wound.

His hands gripped me tightly against him. My head was swarming with blackness. I hardly felt the pain anymore.

“Thea, please,” he cried out as he rubbed my curls from my face. His eyes glanced over my face and widened when he saw my wound. Fear laced his features. His hands worked quickly to get the barbs off me, trying to not hurt me with the frantic movements he was using.

“Maybe you can heal yourself, my love.” But the barbs wouldn’t come off.

Nothing was stirring in my chest. Neither magic nor darkness. The wisps floated near us, their color almost white. A color that I now knew meant hurt, anguish, and sadness.

“I can’t feel my magic,” I choked out as blood filled my lungs. “F-for you.” I tried to hand him the bloodstone, but it made Cassius sob loudly.

“You did so good, little viper,” he whispered. “But I can’t take it right now.”

Confusion spread through me. It would break my curse, and I would finally be able to remember us, remember him. Confusion closed in on me. It was difficult to remember what was going on or what had happened in the last few minutes. My eyes shifted to the faces surrounding us. Haden, Leer, and Zade all watched with silent tears streaming down their faces. Understanding washed over me as I met Cassius’ golden eyes.

“I’m going to die again.” Flashes of my pleading with Della only moments ago reminded me of what I begged for. Death was coming for me, and I was oddly at peace with the thought. If Cassius was spared, then all was right in the realm.

A painful sob escaped him. If I gave it to him, I wouldn’t come back. Tears gathered in my eyes as understanding settled into me. Death was looming close by. Wisp watched me closely, but so did Della. I could feel her waiting to take me back into Exile with no memories of Cassius. But I was stubborn, so I ignored the pull and focused on Cassius, gripping him tightly.

“I love you so much,” I whispered.

“I love you too, my love.” He rested his forehead against mine. “I don’t want you to go. I’m so lonely without you, so lost. I thought this time was it.”

I reached up and wrapped my arm around him.

“We are two halves of the same soul, Cassius. I will always come back to find you.”

His body shook with silent sobs.

His hands gripped me to him tightly.

“I love you beyond the moon and the stars, Thea Valeska, my wife, the future mother of my children, the future Queen of Crimson.” He pulled back and pressed his strong lips to mine. The warmth spread through my body, coating over the coldness of death.

“I’m sorry,” I wheezed out as blackness closed in more. “I’ll do better next time.”

“Please don’t leave me, Thea.” Cassius’ frantic voice pierced straight into my heart. His pain laced every word he muttered as he prayed to the heavens and stars to let me live, but it was for nothing. “Don’t take her from me!” he yelled at Wisp and Della, but they had no choice. His hands squeezed my face and moved it so I could see him. “Stay, my love.” His hauntingly beautiful gold eyes made my chest tight with love.

“D-don’t hide our marriage bonds next time.”