I woke to the smell of sweet flowers and the soft feeling of salve being spread on my chest and neck. My eyes fluttered, trying to open. My need to awaken couldn’t compete with my body"s desire to sleep. Through cracked eyelids, I could see Cole being taken away.
“No,” I struggled to say. My voice was like sandpaper. I fought harder against the black abyss I was floating back into. “Cole,” I rasped. “Cole.”
Guilt filled me. I couldn"t believe I was going to have to turn my back on him and hide away in Starten.
“I"m here, Mara,” Essie"s tranquil voice soothed. “Please, don"t speak.”
“Don"t let him go,” I said. My words were barely above a tarnished whisper.
“Rest.” She slid her fingertip along my brow, but her attempt to use her calming magic didn"t work.
I tried to push myself up, bu
