Page 223 of The Crown’s Temptation

From the corner of her eye she saw Teorin begin to stir.

They were many things. But they had history. He would pull the knife. Of that she was certain.

With what felt like the last of her strength she croaked, "Teorin."

He turned and looked at her. Took her in. He would not walk away. She knew he would not walk away.

“Teorin.

“My daught⁠—"

"Yes. I am coming. I will not disappoint you.”

He was coming. Something in her chest eased.

Then he turned around.

"Teor—" she attempted. Too late. She watched him walk away and understood with sinking clarity that Dali was not dead.

Fuck.

Minutes or hours or perhaps seconds later Nox opened her eyes again.

This was a horrible way to die, Nox had to commend Dali for her technique. This was indeed a slow and painful death.

And thus far, a death that was full of betrayal, she thought bitterly. Thinking of Teorin.

If my brother were here to see me like this, if he even finds me dead, he will likely turn me into a deathmage just so I could kill all of them. He was obsessed with that weak woman Maridale. But if he were here to see what had been done to his twin, he would not let it stand.

As if on cue, a familiar smell cut through the haze.

Tamal.

He glanced at the damage around him and immediately ran toward Dali. Or perhaps it was that pathetic other half of herself.

The world began to fade. Seconds, maybe minutes passed.

"Sister," a voice rasped above her.

Tamal. Her Tamal. The brother she had shared a womb with. He crouched over her and smiled down.

"Tamal, you must⁠—"

A pain she had never experienced arose. She looked up to find his face above hers. Everything was blurry, but his voice was clear.

"Sister," he rasped again.

"Tamal—"

The pain that came next was unbearable. Both physically and in every other way that mattered.

Tamal above her. A cruel look on his face. Twisting the knife.

“For killing my child. Our child would be alive now, had you stopped being selfish and helped Maridale that day.”

“Child?”

Nox almost laughed. Tamal was truly lost, and whatever remained of him was delusional beyond measure.