The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and..

broken sounds. Her emotions were frenzied, shifting from
terror to sorrow to murky disbelief.
“Come on, baby girl, open your eyes for your papa.” Her
father shifted closer, carefully brushing her hair back—
The child’s hair wasn’t auburn.
That was blood streaking the light brown strands—hair
that matched the father’s. My gaze swept over the child as
Delano circled the huddled group. One leg wasn’t lying
right, twisted at an unnatural angle. “Open your eyes for
me,” her father pleaded. A murmur of surprise rose from
those who stood in the garden as they realized that the
Prince was among them. “Open your eyes for your momma
and me, baby girl. There’s someone here to help.”
The mother’s gaze darted around those standing there. I
didn’t think she saw a single face when she uttered, “She
won’t open her eyes.”
The child’s lashes were dark against cheeks absent of
color. I could barely feel her pain anymore, and I knew that
was a bad sign. For that kind of pain to ease so quickly and
totally, things were grave. Atlantians, even those of the
elemental line, were basically mortal until they entered the
Culling. Any number of injuries that could fatally harm a
mortal could do the same to them.
The mother’s gaze landed on me. “Can you help her?”
she whispered, shuddering. “Can you? Please?”
Heart thumping and skin vibrating, I neared them. “I
will.”
At least I thought I could. I had healed Beckett’s broken
bones. I had no idea if that would happen now, but I knew I
could pump as much warmth and happiness into her as I
could. I feared that was all I could do. I worried the Healer
had been right, and this child had moved beyond anyone’s
ability. I just prayed that my touch didn’t manifest in the
same way as it had in the Temple.
Casteel walked ahead, crouching beside the parents. He
placed a hand on the woman’s shoulder as I lowered myself