Chapter 23 · The Prince Dies Again

"Get away from him." I kicked the blood-wrapped body, and the prince's eyes snapped open.

Not dazed. Not confused.

Aware.

"Kira," he rasped. His voice came out wrong, like someone dragging glass across stone. "You shouldn't be here."

"Yeah, well." I hauled him upright. The wrappings peeled off in strips, sticky and warm. "Neither should you. You're supposed to be in the throne room right now, signing trade agreements."

He laughed. It turned into a cough halfway through. "That's three loops ago. Maybe four. I lose count."

I went still.

"You remember."

"I remember dying." He gripped my wrist, fingers cold. "I remember you standing over me. Every time. And I remember Halrik telling me it's the only way to keep the crown safe."

My gut dropped.

"He told you that?"

"He's my godfather." The prince pushed himself upright, swaying. "He said the Loop anchors on royal blood. If I die inside it, the day resets. If I survive, everyone else in the palace dies for real."

"That's a lie."

"Is it?" He met my eyes. "Then why do you keep coming back?"

I didn't have an answer.

Footsteps echoed above us. Heavy boots, multiple sets.