He smirks at me, his expression devoid of any kindness. “Only that I don’t regret any of it, princess.” He dips his head toward the needle while adding, “And that you better inject me, because you can be sure that, if given the chance, I’d do it all over again.”

I don’t get to follow through on his suggestion before the syringe is yanked from my hand, before Cami is stabbing it into Kael and forcing the serum into his body.

“Smith had it right—you’re an asshole,” she says, slapping his face hard enough to leave a handprint as she commands, “Sleep.”

And just as with Jeremiah, I free him only so he can collapse at our feet.

“I’m sorry,” Cami says to me, her chest heaving. “I know you probably wanted your own revenge but—”

“I think there was enough revenge going around today,” I cut her off quietly.

I don’t get to say anything else before she’s smothering me in a hug, her body shaking against mine, her tears and blood mingling with my own. She somehow has the presence of mind to Speak away my wounds, the scrapes on my hands and face from the cave-in disappearing in an instant, along with the lingering pain from Ward’s blow to my temple.

As if suddenly remembering that her brother is now free, Cami pulls back from me only to launch herself at him, her tears coming even faster as she says his name over and over.

I watch them only for a moment before I take in all those still frozen around us. A single thought later and the room is coming to life, everyone freed from Jeremiah’s grip, from my grip.

Arryn bounds over to us and touches Cami’s hand before hurrying back across the room and pressing her fingers against Riley’s cheek. Light flares and seconds later his eyes are fluttering open, the swelling and bruises completely gone by the time he’s risen to his feet. The kiss they share is brief but full of emotion before they turn and head back our way.

“Lyss,” Riley breathes, pulling me into his arms. “You’re okay.”

“We’re all okay,” I say as I squeeze him tightly and then step back again. Smith has approached as well and I’m just about to ask if he and Arryn need healing when a familiar voice cuts in.

“Alyssa?”

I turn slowly toward my mother, feeling Riley at my right shoulder and Arryn move to my other side. Ward and Cami have broken apart and are watching us carefully; even Smith has stepped closer, his gray eyes anxious. For me—he’s anxious for me.

Because he saw the memory.

He knows this is the woman who I thought was dead, who I haven’t laid eyes on in nearly three years.

My voice is a rasp of sound as I say, “Mum.”

Chapter Thirty-Two