She flinched, eyes screwing shut, hands pulling away and forcing him to tighten his grip. “Bastarding hells. Wild Hunt bloody”—jaw clenched, she threw her head back and exhaled.

And just as wonderful as the glow of his gift had been a few seconds ago, he also knew how agonising this part was. He could withdraw and end the healing having only taken away the worst pain of the burns. He could slow, which would lessen the pain but make it last longer. Or he could push all the harder, making the pain far worse but only for an instant.

Wincing, he slowed—she was too weak. She’d already endured enough. He’d end it for now, finish the rest another day.

Chest rising and falling rapidly, Vee opened her eyes and met his gaze again. “Don’t stop.” Her mouth set in a line and she nodded once, eyes blazing.

Of course she’d say that.

But if she was strong enough to urge him, maybe she was strong enough to take it.

Sighing a harsh breath, he gathered the golden light into a tight ball. This moment—this was the worst, but it would be over in an instant. Gritting his teeth, he channelled the energy, and it pulsed in ferocious white heat.

Her cry ripped through the night and then she fell limp.

Lords. Ladies. Bloody hells.

Damnation, he’d pushed too hard. “Vee?” He touched her cheek—it was warmer than it had been earlier. And her colour was better. Perhaps …

Brow beaded with sweat, she panted, then flexed her hand in his. “Don’t panic.” She gave a white-lipped smile. “I’m alive.”

He sagged and snatched his fingers from her skin. No taking comfort in her touch, remember?

“Hopefully they’ll think that was just us shagging.” Swallowing, she shook her head and opened her eyes. “Wild Hunt take you, Knigh Blackwood, but you have the most painful bloody gift I’ve ever encountered.” She examined her hands, turning them over. “Though it’s effective—I’ll give you that.”

No more gnarled joints and dry skin. The burns had vanished, except for the old one on her palm. It made sense now—she must have touched an iron padlock, hard and for several seconds for it to leave such a detailed and lasting scar.

“Very effective,” she breathed, clenching and unclenching her fists. A grin tugged at the corner of her mouth as she stared at the smooth, firm movement. “Almost good as new.” She huffed a short laugh. “Thank you. I—I thought they might never work properly again.”

A lump in his throat tightened his smile and prevented speech, but he nodded.