Chapter 90

Julian lay on the floor of his cell in the dungeons, his teeth clenched in pain. His skin was covered with a sheen of sweat, and around his chest wound, black veins could be seen through sickly skin. Without treatment, his wound was only getting worse. After throwing him into the dungeon the previous night, Nile had provided him with nothing-not food, water, or medicine. If he did not get treatment soon, the silver poisoning would kill him. But his life was not the one he thought about when he closed his eyes. He kept seeing the image of Lyra collapsing on the floor, going still. Don't be dead. Stay alive. He could not bear the thought of anything happening to her. It was all his fault that she ended up in Nile’s hands. He was supposed to be strong enough to protect her. Instead, he was the reason her life was in danger. And now, if he died like this, he would fail her ultimately. He wished she had left last night. She insisted on saving him, but it could all be futile in the end. Juli