“What?” Her words took my breath away. She was asking for the only thing I couldn’t give.

“It’s a fair trade,” she said coldly. “You're not asking for much; I'm giving you his breath at a lower cost, and I’ll save your bride in return. I told you before—you can’t afford the cost.”

My mind spun in every direction, torn between despair and the faintest sliver of hope.

“You’re betraying your own kind now?” I asked, keeping my tone steady to provoke her. It felt like ...