Glass flew everywhere. Trystan’s arms fell over Evie’s head, guarding her with his body. A familiar creature landed right in the middle of the room as the Lily Pad Knights scattered, several of them ushering the king and queen to safety.
“I said to go through the front door, Fluffy!” Blade scolded, and Evie was so relieved to hear his voice, she clutched at Trystan’s shirt and cried.
“Evie!” Lyssa was on Fluffy’s back, too, along with Becky, who was looking at the damages like she was going to lose it. Lyssa slid down Fluffy’s wing and ran for Evie, and Evie ran for Lyssa.
When they finally had their arms around each other, Evie squeezed her sister tight. “You saved us, Lyssa.”
There was so much loss in the room, so much they would never get back, but there’d always be this. Her sister, her family—and if Evie had her, there was still a reason to continue.
Lyssa pulled away and tugged a crinkled piece of paper from her pocket. “Second Rule of Villainy. Protect what you love most. No matter the cost.”
Evie spied the list and gave Trystan a shrewd look. “Interesting teatime discussions?”
Trystan crossed his arms, unamused. “Little villain. What is the sixth rule?”
Lyssa scanned the paper, eyes widening when she found it. “Don’t tell anyone about the Rules of Villainy… Oh. Oops.” She clasped her small hands behind her back, her braid moving over her shoulder.
“Wicked Woman!” Evie turned her head just in time for a Lily Pad Knight to throw a blade right for her chest. She gasped. And then Arthur was in front of her, eyes wide as the sword struck.
No.
Evie’s eyes burned as shock settled into her bones. Arthur’s brows furrowed as he looked down and saw that the sword had gone right through his stomach.
Blood trickled out of his mouth.
And then he fell.
“Arthur,” Amara rasped, showing her first signs of humanity, outside of her self-serving actions. She lurched toward her husband, fingers closing around her lips.
“Get away!” Clare screamed at Amara. “Stay away from all of us. You awful bitch,” Clare said with more disdain toward her mother then Evie had ever seen. Amara stumbled back, stunned. Clare yelled, “Oh, gods. The blood. Tatianna.”
“Get him on Fluffy. Quick!” Tatianna’s hand was over her mouth when she saw the sword, how deep it was.
“I can’t. Ugh.” Arthur fell into Evie as they helped him atop the dragon. “I can’t feel my legs.”
All sounds became muffled, like they were underwater.
“Time to go!” Trystan said hollowly, picking up Evie in one arm and Lyssa in the other, tossing them toward the dragon in a siege of flying arrows. “Blade!”
“Ready, boss!” Blade saluted as they climbed atop Fluffy’s back. The throne room was in chaos as they shot for the skylight.
They were getting away. And Evie didn’t understand, didn’t know why it felt like the blood was seeping from her . She looked down at Arthur as Tatianna worked, lit hands moving over the wound.
But, for the first time since Evie met her, Tatianna did not look confident. She looked like she was already in mourning.
“Why did you do that?” Evie asked Arthur. “Why would you— I don’t understand.”
Arthur smiled, coughing, blood coating his lips. Then he looked at Trystan, who gripped his hand, face hard. “I was a bad father to you.”
Trystan shook his head. “Arthur—”
“No, I was. I married your mother because I thought it was the right thing, and I spent the most vital years of your life absent. I should’ve been there for you.
” Arthur groaned in pain when Tatianna removed the sword.
He squeezed Trystan’s hand tighter. “I should never have done that. I think I was afraid of what would happen if you found out the truth, but that was my burden. I never should’ve made it yours. ”
“What? What truth?” Trystan asked.
Arthur coughed, blood vessels bursting in his eyes. “When I married your mother. She was already pregnant…with you.”
Trystan paled, releasing Arthur’s hand. “What are you saying?”
“I wasn’t your sire. But I was your father , Trystan.
I was.” Arthur reached for him, and Trystan stared into the distance, looking queasy.
Evie felt her face flush, and she was terribly unsure of what to do, all the words she could say catching in her throat as Arthur found his.
“I should have been better, should’ve protected you from your mother’s resentment.
But despite all our failings, nothing could stop you from becoming what you were always meant to be. ”
Trystan blinked back into awareness, staring down at Arthur as his father finished with a smile.
“Remarkable.”
A slow tear spilled down Trystan’s cheek, and he swiped at it, nostrils flaring. “Thank you for saving her,” he whispered.
“A life without love is an empty one, Trystan. You can live your years without me, but not without her. Don’t leave behind regrets. I have three children who grew into fine adults. I can go happy.”
“No,” Clare argued, pushing damp strands back from Arthur’s forehead. “No. Tatianna’s going to heal you, and you’re going to be fine. Right, Tati?”
Tatianna sniffed, rubbing a hand at the tears spilling down her cheeks. “The blade was tipped with poison. There’s too much damage, love. He’s going now—I can’t do anything to stop it.”
“No! You can! You’re a healer!” Clare screamed. “Please, Tati, I know I’m a terrible person and a terrible sister, but Arthur is good. Arthur is good, and he deserves to live. Please!”
“Clarissa.” Tatianna reached for her, and Clare fought her, slamming her hands against Tatianna’s chest until she fell headfirst into it, sobbing.
When Evie looked back at Arthur, his eyes were closed, his chest not moving.
The core healer was gone.
And it was all Evie’s fault.