Kael’s body was heavy in my arms.

The Huntress’s arrow glowed in his chest, its shaft burning white-hot, veins of moonlight crawling across his flesh. His muscles convulsed beneath my hands, his breath ragged, his heart stuttering.

“No,” I gasped, pressing my palms to his wound. “No, no, no”

The glow seared me. My wombfire recoiled. It couldn’t touch him not with that weapon buried in his heart.

“Ardyn,” Kael rasped, blood spilling from his lips. His hand rose weakly, ...