Alaric didn't wake up for nine hours. Hazel didn't leave floor.

They tried to move him to bed, Dominic and two guards but Hazel said no. She sat on cold floor, his head in lap, furs pulled from bed around them, Aurella curled against her back asleep again because she cried herself out.

Greta kept checking pulse. Slow but there. Poison fighting antidote. Like twenty-two years ago.

"He'll wake," Greta said. "Mara's cure works. It worked on him as pup. It works now. But he needs time."

Hazel nodded. Didn't speak. Her mouth still tasted bitter almond and feverfew.

Outside Luna room, hall was full. Whispers. Council arguing. Guards arguing....