I catch his scent at the last second. It's the only thing that saves Piers's life.

He falls back with a cry as I collapse, still clutching my spike, at his feet. I look up at him, not believing what I'm seeing, smelling. He must be another hallucination, like my mother. But when he bends over me, his blond hair brushing over my naked skin, fearful gray eyes full of worry, I know he's really here with me.

Piers sweeps off his ...