Chapter 2

I returned to my room alone.

The burning spread from my chest through my arms and legs.

I curled up on the bed, twisting the blanket in my fists.

Heat tore through my insides, then gave way to a freezing chill. Over and over.

My breathing grew uneven. I began to black out.

I remembered how things used to be.

On every treatment day, Lucas would press his rough palm against my back, slowly warming the currents of power inside me.

Darian would complain that I was spoiled and too much trouble, but he always stayed beside me through the night.

Silas was the gentlest. He'd put a piece of candy in my mouth before helping me drink the bitter medicine.

Now I was alone, with no one to help me through the surges of power.

Power surged into my throat. The pain sent me tumbling off the bed.

I gulped down some medicine. It was so bitter I could barely swallow.

Through the haze, I thought I heard myself whimpering.

I didn't know how long I lay there before I passed out.

When I woke, I was still on the floor. Half my body was numb and wouldn't move.

Three messages glowed on my communication crystal.

Lucas: "I'm inspecting the camp with Kassan today. I won't be coming."

Darian: "I'm busy. Ask Silas."

Silas: "Get some rest, Evelyn."

I stared at the three messages, and a laugh escaped me. I tasted blood at the back of my throat.

I staggered out of my chambers to get another bottle of pain medicine from the apothecary.

The training ground was at the end of the corridor. As I passed, I heard a familiar voice.

"Lower your wrist a little. Yes, just like that."

Lucas.

He sounded calm and patient, just as he had when he used to teach me sword fighting.

Back then, he'd tell me it didn't matter if I couldn't beat the knights. He was there. He would protect me.

Now he stood behind Kassan, guiding her wrist, almost wrapping her in his arms.

I hurried away, but my foot caught on a stone step. I fell at the edge of the training ground.

Lucas turned at once. He strode over and helped me up.

Kassan stood beside him, tilting her head. "Princess? What brings you here?"

Lucas touched my feverish forehead. "Did you skip your treatment again yesterday?"

There was a hint of blame in his voice.

A bitter laugh escaped me as I looked at his stern face.

He hadn't visited in two weeks. Why pretend he cared so much?

"Was it because I wasn't there again? Did you refuse to let the others help?" He rubbed his brow, as though I were a burden. "You need to grow up, Evelyn. The world doesn't revolve around you."

I nodded.

I'd once believed their worlds revolved around me.

Now I understood, all too well, that they didn't.

My nod seemed to surprise Lucas.

Behind him, Kassan suddenly hissed in pain.

"Kassan!" Lucas immediately took her arm.

"It's fine," she said softly. "Just a little cut from earlier. Stay with the princess."

"She's fine." Lucas didn't even glance at me. "She can—"

"Lucas," I interrupted, my voice hoarse. "I didn't have my treatment yesterday. This morning, a scale on the back of my neck split."

He froze and stared at my collar. He seemed about to speak.

But Kassan coughed softly twice.

He immediately looked away and helped her walk in the opposite direction.

"Get Silas to take care of you," he said without looking back. After a pause, he added, "I'll come by later."

I stood there, watching him walk farther and farther away.

Touching the scale pendant at my throat, I finally understood. None of them were mine anymore.