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Der tried to will herself to vomit, and wrenched wildly against the chains. She tried to
yell, but found that she couldn t. Feeling the inferno within, her body went into spasms. She
knocked most of the glass tubes out of her skin in her thrashing.
The first chemman stepped back with malicious enthusiasm etched across his face.
This is acid, girl, do you know what acid is? No, I do not suppose that you would.
She tried to kick, but the chains held her against the wall firmly. She couldn t extinguish
the burning and it roared louder throughout her body with every heartbeat.
He chuckled, and continued in a singsong voice, Acid causes solid things to melt, even
metal and stone, and you are experiencing what it can do to a mortal coil. This is too weak to
kill you quickly, but do not think that you will be spared.
She coughed again, and was dully surprised to see blood splash across the floor. The
pain continued to rip through her body with the fury of a tornado. She felt nothing in her mouth
anymore, or where they had cut her. Everywhere else more than made up for that.
Imagination failing? The acid is burning holes through your body and they re spreading,
boiling away your bones and muscles from the inside. Now, his voice was suddenly coaxing,
I can stop this pain. Can you still hear me? I can make it all stop with one quick stroke of my
knife. Please, tell me, did the prince travel east, west, north or south?
Der opened her mouth, but couldn t say anything even if she wanted. She flopped
against the wall like a dying fish. The small part of her mind that was not raging in anguish
looked him directly in the face and coughed blood onto him.
This is torment! Kaleb stopped running long enough to slam his fist against a tree. I
left them. I left people to die, again! A couple of dead leaves plummeted onto his blond hair
from above.
But, my prince, the elf from Count Calloway s court pleaded, You survived.
Kaleb rounded on him. They were my friends, Soheir! They were my friends!
The dark-haired elf named Soheir faltered to a stop. Of course, my prince, but
But, what? I betrayed them! I betrayed my friends to a horrible death! And& my
parents& He sank to his knees. All of this was too much too fast. Part of him desperately
denied the reality of it all and demanded that he wake up. Yet, every morning he did wake up,
and it was all still real.
The other elf stepped lightly beside him. He had dropped his chef s disguise before he
had ever left the Count s castle. He was tall and thin now. You survived. We had feared the
worst.
Kaleb stared hard at the ground, and willed away his tears. Yes, I m sure you did. Do
you know what it s like to have your worst fear be realized?
Soheir remained silent.
All Things Impossible Crown of the Realm Dalton 58
The prince coughed and doubled forward. His face had paled to green. I left them. I
knew it had to be a trap, and I let them go! He held his trembling hands out in front of him and
vomited into them. Coughing, he wiped his face on his sleeve. Don t you know what will
become of them? They could be in Darkreign right now!
Soheir knelt beside him. This is a trying time for all of us, and we do not have the time
to spare. Let them go, then. Let them go from your mind. No one returns from Darkreign.
Kaleb stared at his hands. No one. No one at all. Not even those who were banished
there? Tears bled from his eyes. I left them behind in those bloody hands! I m wicked just
awful!
No, of course not, Soheir whispered.
Yes, I am. They helped to save me from cultists that were hunting me and I didn t even
try to save them.
Yes, my prince, the other elf said stoically. However, you could have only been
captured yourself. Your life is precious.
Kaleb snorted. No more than anyone else s. He punched the forest floor. All I ve done
is run away and left good people to die. I haven t even tried to fight for them, and you tell me
that my life is more precious than those who have perished for it!
The other elf stuttered. Of course I didn t imply& of course& He ran a hand through
his hair. I m sorry, my prince, like you, I am unaccustomed to understanding death. I fear that
we have long forgotten how to consider it. He took a deep breath and stared up at the sky.
But, make their deaths be not vanity. You will take on the mantle of king.
Kaleb shook his head. I don t want that.
Soheir pulled the younger man up by his shoulders. You are your father s legacy, he
said with echoes of thunder in his voice. Do something to bring their souls justice! And, what
about those who still live? What about your brother?
Get away from me! Kaleb stumbled away from his grasp, staring wildly at anything
except the man in front of him. He grabbed his temples. People had died. The only time that he
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