“We are, Your Imperial Majesty,” came from Zander. And from the healer, “There were complications—” The healer’s voice broke off, replaced by a choke. A cough. A low, garbled groan.

“Stop.” Safi did not know how she got that word out when everything within her rattled and something was stuck between her teeth. But she did squeeze it out, just as she also turned her head long enough to look at Henrick’s squat form wavering before her. “Stop.”

A familiar smirk spread over his lips, recognizable even when his face blurred and buzzed. “So you are healed.”

Safi did not answer and could not nod. Her muscles still shook against Zander’s grip—and against the grip of the healer, who was once more holding her.

“A few more moments,” the healer said, her voice an octave lower than it had been before. “Sometimes the power of the Loom confuses the body. Soon her brain will realize it is still within her body and the convulsions will stop.”

“I have never seen that before,” Henrick said, clearly disbelieving. But then Safi’s seizing did ease and finally stop.

For several blissful moments, there was only her heart booming against her rib cage. Her lungs billowing and true. She tasted blood and leather; she must have bitten her tongue and now a belt was clenched between her teeth—a belt Zander removed from her mouth.

“Thank you,” the healer told him at the same moment Henrick pushed him aside.

Face flushed and shiny, Henrick bore down. “Did you hope to escape me? Did you think death would be your way out?”

“No.” She couldn’t keep the snorted amusement off that word. He clearly thought she’d stabbed herself. “I am merely out … of practice, my Emperor.”

“And you will stay that way.” Spit hit her cheek. Then he pulled away and arms moved beneath her. The healer’s and Zander’s, for they were much too mild to be Henrick’s. “Get her to the carriage,” Henrick barked, already striding for a door that Caden was hastily opening. “We leave immediately.”

Caden’s gaze briefly met Safi’s before he fell into formation behind the Emperor, and at her curt nod, his face relaxed. She could practically hear him thinking, Good enough.

“Can you walk?” Zander asked as the healer helped Safi to her feet. Everything hurt. She was one giant bruise.

But she was alive and she had gained new information. It wasn’t organized or sensical yet, but it was a start. Surely Leopold would be able to figure out exactly where Eron was.