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“The raiders are dead,” he said. “But your message is received.”

A smile split her ghoulish face, revealing pointed grey teeth. “And Amelie?”

“She is alive, and she will stay that way.”

“Oh, I think not, dearest boy.”

The Dark One flew at him, levitating to his eye level. Davron did not flinch. She narrowed her coal eyes.

“Your love is stronger than ever, yet feels cracked and heavy,” she said. “Why is that?”

He sighed, suddenly bone-tired. “I am here to tell you that you win. I love her, and you can take my life. I will stop fighting the curse. No more potions, no more enchantments, no more trying. In exchange, you will let her go.”

Levissina hissed. “Now why would I agree to that?”

“Is this not what you wanted? Revenge on my family? How far is your hatred going to spread? You will have me. My life is forfeit. Amelie is irrelevant to you, for she does not love me. She’ll never break the curse. But she did finally give you what you’ve wanted for all these years. Me, in love. Completely at your mercy. So, let her go.”

Her head tilted to the side. “If I do not agree?”

“I will fight the curse endlessly, every day, out of spite. You of all creatures know how far spite can take a person. You will not know rest, nor will you ever realize your vengeance. But I send Amelie away regardless, because she does not belong with me. Bringing her here was my grave mistake.”

The Dark One drew right up to his face, so that her black vapors began to tease and meld with the tattoos on his flesh. He ground his teeth at the searing pain, but did not pull away.

“You will give in to me, truly? You will not resist me?” she asked. “Because talk is easy, but are you prepared for how my vengeance will feel? It will not be fast. It will not be pleasant. You saw what I did to your father,” she finished in a soft, waspish voice.

“I will not resist. I shall send her away, and then I will give you access to the castle. To me. That is the agreement.”

She swooped back from him. “Very well. We have a deal. You will experience the same pain Malakai did.”

“And Amelie goes free?”

The Dark One waved her desiccated hand. “Yes, yes, I do not care about the girl. Good for her, truly, for being wise enough to avoid love.” Levissina placed both of her hands over her empty chest. “That cruel fate is conferred only to us witless romantics.”

He exhaled. “Thank you.”

His macabre errands complete, Davron climbed the road to the castle. This time, he did not notice the sunshine, the cat, or the birds and butterflies. All he saw was eternity stretching out before him, empty and bleak.

CHAPTER 26

Night fell.

Amelie huddled under her bedcovers. She’d taken a long time to find a position that did not aggravate her injuries. A light rain pattered against the windowpanes, and she’d finally stopped trembling. Now, she was exhausted and could hardly bring herself to move.

And yet, she lay wide awake.

She stared into space, her mind alternating between searing recollections of violence and complete nothingness. At times, she even felt like she was under attack—like the raider was still reaching for her—and she’d jerk involuntarily in the bed. Closing her eyes only made the recollections worse.

The sound of something heavy shifting outside her door made her sit up, drawing the blanket to her chin. Davron walked in, armed with a sword on his hip and a crossbow strapped to his back. He wore clean clothes and appeared to have bathed. Unbidden, Amelie wondered how many times he had needed to run the bath for the water to stay clear.

His face was a dark cloud. The remoteness of his demeanor made her doubt her sanity, as if she had imagined their connection altogether.

He came to the bedside and offered a small amber glass bottle.

“Drink,” he said. “It will allow you to rest.”

Amelie took the bottle and read the label. It was a tincture of valerian and skullcap. She removed the cork and drank the contents, grimacing at the potent medicinal flavor.

“Thank you,” she said.