Brandon felt his eyes mist up immediately, his chest heaving. "Healer, there has to be another way. Eleanor is..."

"What about her? Does she not love him enough to place his life before hers?"

He closed his eyes. "I do not know about that, but first of all, Eleanor's mate bond to His Highness has been severed and..."

"His bond to her still remains. That is all we need."

Brandon swallowed. "It will be fruitless. Bringing His Highness back to life by sacrificing Eleanor is just a tragedy waiting to happen."

She raised a brow, her eyes scanning him.

"Why?"

Brandon sucked in his lips, his chest heaving. "Please, please...