Come on.
I raise my fist a third time when the door swings aside.
The House Master’s fierce scowl sends me back a step. The hem of his white shirt is half tucked into a pair of dark trousers, and his black hair sticks straight up on one side. “What the hell do you want?”
Here goes nothing… “Your nephew was in an altercation with Prince Senan. They’ve brought Jeston to the pit.”
His eyes widen, and he dashes his hands through his hair, making it stick up even more. “Shit.”
“I’ve come to request access to the family’s tower so that I might plead with the prince on Jeston’s behalf.”
Uncertainty flickers across his face. “What makes you think that fucking addict will listen to a word you say?”
Heat blazes through my chest.Don’t call him that. Senan is so much more than whatever addiction he may be struggling with. “The prince and I…” I wipe my clammy palms on my skirts. “What I mean to say is, we have a rapport.”A rapport? Really, Allette?“The point is, I believe he will take my request into consideration. Jeston is my friend.” Sort of, anyway. “If this doesn’t work, he’ll be no worse off. But if it does, then your nephew will be free.”
The House Master’s thick mustache twitches when his lips purse. After a few tense moments of scowling, he motions for me to follow him into his dark office. With a quick tap on the corner of his desk, fae lights flicker to life. From the top drawer, he withdraws the same gold dagger he used the day I arrived. All it takes is one drop of blood added to the correct page in his notebook for the wards to allow me access.
He looks at me with such seriousness, I find myself holding my breath. “Good luck, Wynn,” he says.
“Thank you.” I’m going to need it.
Two guards waitat the base of the staircase leading to the family’s central tower. When they see me, they exchange confused glances but allow me past without a word. Stepping through the ward feels a bit like walking through cobwebs. When my slipper meets the first stair without resistance, a fortifying breath blows through my lips as I pull on my mask and begin to climb.
By the time I reach the twentieth floor, a strange steadiness has filled my veins. All those other times I’ve run into Senan have been outside my control. But this meeting is all my doing. I’m prepared for his stunning silver eyes to meet mine. I’m ready to speak to him, to control the conversation.
I can do this.
When I grip the cold knob, my hand does not tremble. When I push the door aside, my steps do not falter. When I step into the quiet room, my heart does not break.
But then I see my prince slumped against the wall, staring blankly toward the ceiling with light pulsing through his veins, and I shatter.
“Senan?” He doesn’t turn my way. Doesn’t blink. Doesn’tmove. “Senan!” My knees slam against the hard marble.Tell me he is okay. Tell me he isn’t gone.
I tear off my mask and clutch my mate’s shoulders. Even through his thin shirt, I can feel how cold his body is. “Senan, wake up. Please. Please wake up.” My thumbs smooth over his rough five o’clock shadow.Nothing. I press two fingers to the base of his strong jaw. His pulse flickers against my fingertips, but it’s too faint.
“Senan, please.” How do I bring him back to himself?
My lips find his, but they’re so bloody cold. I whisper his name over and over as tears stream down my cheeks. I can’t lose him again. Even though he is meant for another, at least I’ll know that somewhere in this realm, his laughter will still grace the air. That his smile will brighten the darkness.
But if he is gone…
Something presses against the small of my back.
Senan’s hands.
I open my eyes only to find a pair of star-kissed eyes staring back.
“You’re alive,” I whisper.
When I try to pull away, he urges me closers until our lips graze once more. “No… I’ve died. This is heaven,” he murmurs, his lips slowly warming as they brush over my own.
If he is dead, then I am too. And if we’ve both passed beyond the veil, then nothing matters but this moment.
Losing him.
Finding him.
Almost losing him again…