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Back The Infinity Courts Save as PDF
Chapters (52)
  1. Dedication
  2. 1
  3. 2
  4. 3
  5. 4
  6. 5
  7. 6
  8. 7
  9. 8
  10. 9
  11. 10
  12. 11
  13. 12
  14. 13
  15. 14
  16. 15
  17. 16
  18. 17
  19. 18
  20. 19
  21. 20
  22. 21
  23. 22
  24. 23
  25. 24
  26. 25
  27. 26
  28. 27
  29. 28
  30. 29
  31. 30
  32. 31
  33. 32
  34. 33
  35. 34
  36. 35
  37. 36
  38. 37
  39. 38
  40. 39
  41. 40
  42. 41
  43. 42
  44. 43
  45. 44
  46. 45
  47. 46
  48. 47
  49. 48
  50. 49
  51. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
  52. ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I feel myself start to fade away, the pain consuming me the way blackness consumes what’s left of the square.

But I remember two things clearly.

Annika appearing with a dagger and shoving it straight into Theo’s chest before they both vanish from sight, and Gil scooping me up in his arms, the dark hazel of his eyes pulling me toward sleep like a warm hand.

42

I DRIFT IN AND OUT of consciousness. Sometimes I dream about Mei. Sometimes I dream about the whispers. Sometimes I dream about Gil’s voice, soothing and deep, telling me everything is going to be okay.

And in the moments when I’m awake, I know what Gil meant when he said it’s possible to find new ways to die.

Because our consciousness still reacts to death—imitates it.

And my consciousness hasn’t forgotten pain.

Sleep takes over until it doesn’t, and when my eyes peel open, Gil is sitting beside me, fingers laced through his hair.

“Is everyone okay?” My voice croaks and my mouth feels heavy. I’ve been asleep for a while.

Gil pulls his hands away, eyes alert, until at last his shoulders relax. “They’re okay. Yeong keeps having to put Theo back to sleep. He won’t stop screaming for his brother.”

My jaw tenses, and I try to push myself up with my elbows. Pain shoots through my bones like acid.

Gil pushes gently against my shoulder. “Lie back down. Trust me—spinal damage is a beast of its own.”

I rest my head, eyes watering from the scorching pain, and make a face. “Can’t I just will it away?”

He holds his hands up, leaning back in his chair. “Be my guest.”

I try to focus on the pain leaving my body, but my mind is shattered. Even thinking hurts.

I let out a weak laugh. “Okay. You win.”

“I’ve had a lot of practice. Break your back a few dozen more times, and it’ll hardly feel like a scratch.”

I shift uncomfortably in the bed, realizing I’m in my own room. “How long have I been asleep?”

“A while.” Gil rolls his tongue against the inside of his cheek, like he’s not sure how to break the news. “You missed the Festival of Whispers. And Princes Eve.”

My heart sinks. That means all that’s left is the Night of the Falling Star. I should’ve been gathering information at the festivals—not stuck in this room recovering.

And Martin. The servant girl.

I failed them.

“You promised me you wouldn’t go after her.” There’s a rawness to his voice I’ve never heard before.

My gaze falters, eyes stinging. “I know. But I had to.”

He nods a few times and looks away.

“No lecture?” I manage a small smile. A peace offering.