Page 88 of Ruin of Revenants

“Oh, young prince.” Mortius’ shadows swirled, like he was moving. “Your studies have been thorough, but the records are mistaken. If she dies, your blood bond dies with her. Bonded cannot kill one another without them both dying, it’s true, but if someone else strikes the killing blow, only the wounded one dies.”

What? My head spun. All this time, either of us could have cleverly arranged for the other to die.

“When she dies, you’re free.”

But I ignored Mortius’ words. Freedom meant nothing, not if it came at the cost of Isoria’s life.

The words nearly stuck in my throat. “How much time do we have before she’s lost?” A bitter, ironic thought struck me. “Or will she turn into a revenant before even you can take her?”

“Why do you think I’m here early?” Mortius retorted, like I was a child to be scolded. “We’ll have mere minutes once she breathes her last. Let’s see who is the fastest: you, the revenant curse, or me.”

My stomach churned, hating the way he punctuated that final statement with a dark laugh, like this was an amusing game. Who would win? I leapt to my feet and charged for the hidden passage, tearing through the dim tunnel and out into the night. I left the castle grounds and raced down back alleys through the city. If anyone saw me in such a state, they were either too terrified or too slow to catch me in the growing darkness. By the time I pounded on the door, my chest ached and my lungs burned. I had to keep moving to keep the panic at bay, had to keep telling myself that I still had time.

Scarlet opened the door, eyes widening at the sight of me standing on her doorstep, coated in blood and gasping for breath. “Your Highness.”

The last of my pain ebbed away, and dread sank in my stomach. Isoria was gone.

“I need you to tell me how to save my bride. Now.”

She stepped back, letting me step inside. “What do you mean?”

“Tell me how to help a phoenix shifter resurrect. Someone attacked her. She’s—she’s gone.” My voice cracked.

Scarlet gaped. “Your betrothed… She’s a phoenix shifter?”

“Yes,” I said desperately. “But there’s no time to waste. Tell me how to save her.”

She swallowed, clasping her hands together in front of her. “Resurrection magic comes at a cost. For her magic to work, someone else… must agree to share the pain. They have to sacrifice themselves and experience death and rebirth with them.” She hesitated. “I’ve heard it specified that it must be someone close to them, but I’ve only ever heard of phoenix shifters sacrificing. I’m not sure it’s possible with someone who is…not.”

“I’ll have to try.” I didn’t add that there was also the possibility that I wouldn’t count as being close to Isoria. After all, we were forced together in a bond, but was that enough, or did being close mean that she had to care for me? “How?”

Scarlet glanced away, as if afraid to say the words.

“Tell me!” I hesitated, softening my tone. For the second time that night, I begged. “Please. I’ll do anything. Make any sacrifice, endure any torment, die any death, as long as she is spared.”

Her gaze snapped to mine. “You’re in love with a phoenix shifter,” she said, her tone full of awe.

My hands were shaking—no, I glanced down to see that my whole body was. I didn’t fully process her words, only the ache in my chest. “I can’t lose her. I won’t.”

“If she’s still alive when you return to her, a few drops of your blood will suffice as a sacrifice, something to strengthen her magic as she fades. But if you’re right and she has already passed…” Scarlet drew a deep breath. “There’s still time, but it’s much harder. As long as you take action before a full day has passed since her death, you have a chance. But like I said…I don’t know if it will work with someone who isn’t a shifter. If it does, her magic will resurrect you both—your death will be the fuel for her magic to work after her soul has started to move on. You’ll catch her soul before it enters the afterlife permanently, and in her flames, your bodies will be healed and remade. Everything will be restored to as it was before Isoria was harmed.” She watched me closely. “When you take your life, you must speak her name and say: May your magic take strength from my sacrifice and save us both.”

“This isn’t some elaborate plan to kill me off?” I managed to quip. Even my smile trembled.

Scarlet’s expression was unyielding. “You know I cannot lie.”

“I’ll do it.” If I don’t, I’m dead anyway, I thought wryly.

Before Scarlet could say another word, I was gone, racing back the way I’d come.

Archer

Mortius was nowhere to be seen when I returned to my quarters, but I could feel his presence like a stifling blanket. Why he hadn’t already taken Isoria’s soul was beyond me. Did he have an ounce of pity after all?

“I’m going to ask you to put a great deal of trust in me, Orchid,” I told the servant. “You’ll have to ensure no one enters my quarters for the day, or however long this takes. Repeat this message: ‘The prince said Isoria was cursed by a jealous female in love with him, and Archer has been tending to her. They have ordered us not to disturb them as she recovers.’” I smiled half-heartedly. It was a common fae loophole, to give a “message” that had to be repeated word-for-word, so the messenger wasn’t fabricating a lie—they were only following orders.

“Of course, Your Highness. But what are you going to do? Can you save her?” She eyed my dagger nervously.

I forced a smile. “I’m going to try.” For a beat, I hesitated. “And if you can try to be discreet but find out who did this to her…” My voice trailed off as she gave a sharp nod.