Pieces wobbled.

*No, Daemon,* Jaenelle shrieked. *You can’t. You can’t.* Suddenly she collapsed against his chest. *I healed the body. It’s still hurt, but it will mend. Let me go. Please, let me go. You can have the body. You can use the body.*

Daemon pressed her back against his chest. He rested his cheek against her gold mane. *No, sweetheart. No one’s going to use your body but you.* He closed his eyes and held her tight. *Listen, my Lady Witch. I lied to you, and I’m sorry. So very sorry. But I lied because I love you. I hope you’ll understand that one day.*

She sagged against him, saying nothing.

*Listen to me,* he said softly. *We’re going to take your body away from here. We’ll keep it safe. Is there some landmark in the misty place that you can always find?*

She nodded wearily.

*There’s a tether around your leg. Take it off and tie it around that landmark. That way, when you’re ready, it’ll show you the way back.* It took him a moment to say the rest.*Please, Jaenelle, please repair the chalice. Find the shards and put it back together. Return to the body when the Priest tells you it’s safe. Grow up and have a rich life. We need you, Lady. Come back and walk among those who love you, those who have longed for you.*

He let her go.

She hesitated a moment before leaping away from him. When there was enough distance between them, she turned around.

Daemon swallowed hard. *Try to remember that I love you. And if you can, please forgive me.*

He felt her lightly touch his mind, felt her dark power re-form the thin skin that held him together.

She closed her sapphire eyes.

He watched her shape change.

When she opened her eyes, Jaenelle stood before him, not quite a woman but no longer a child. *Daemon,* she said, her voice a soft, sighing caress.

Then she dove into the abyss, and his heart shattered.

He made the ascent for the last time and tumbled into his body.

He heard angry male voices coming from the outer rooms. He heard shrieks of pain. Heard stone exploding. Heard the sizzle of power meeting power.

He didn’t move. Didn’t try. He laid his head on Jaenelle’s chest and wept silently, bitterly.

*Daemon.* Saetan brushed against his mind and pulled back. *Daemon, what have you done?*

*I let her go,* Daemon cried. *I told her you’d tell her when it was safe to come back. I told her about the tether. I let her go, Priest. Sweet Darkness, I let her go.*

*What have you done to yourself?*

*I shattered the chalice. I lied to her. I seduced her into trusting me and I lied to her.*

A brief touch, gentle and hesitant. *She’ll understand, namesake. In time, she’ll understand.* Saetan faded, came back. *I can’t hold the link anymore. Cassandra will open the Gate and take you—*

Saetan was gone.