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A vision filled my mind like a memory I’d never lived myself. I stood inside Jeanne Viennois. I saw with her eyes.

On a rocky beach, I stood on a wooden pier out over the sea, watching as a line of humans pulled a rope across the shore, lifting my prize onto the waiting ship. The planks creaked beneath my feet. Waves lapped the gray, dim shoreline. I didn’t recognize the place. It didn’t matter. Pestilence swung onto the ship and disappeared into the hold below.

I turned to the woman standing beside me. Robed head to foot in black, her face hidden so I couldn’t identify her. I didn’t know her name. I wasn’t allowed to know—which was an abominable frustration I must endure to secure my goal.

When she spoke, even her voice was muffled and distorted, as if she spoke from across a great divide. “Queen Panega is dead.”

“And her blood?” Jeanne—I—asked.

She handed me a small wooden cask with a cup engraved on the lid. “It was done as you ordered, Your Majesty.”

“The other three knights are still symptom free?”

“They are. Her blood stopped the progression of pestilence.”

Out loud, I asked, “Kevin, who was Queen Panega?”

“Queen Panega of Dodekánisa, died in 1350. She was the daughter of Panakeia.” Hope sparked in his voice. “The goddess of universal healing. Some legends say the goddess created the Elixir of Life, which could give immortality or cure any illness.”

A tiny glimmer, flickering, faint, and fragile against the raging fever. “Show me where Jeanne put the casket of Queen Panega’s blood.”

The edges of my vision blackened and curled like burned paper. With all my will, I held to the last vestige of my power. Please. Show me.

Dim and dark space. Boxes. Document boxes with handles and lids. Like what Gina and Kevin used to bring in the contracts.

“Did you see a small wooden box in the storage room? With a cup carved into the lid.”

Kevin closed his eyes for a moment, while he examined the snapshot of the room in his mind. “Yes! I see it. It’s on a bookshelf against the wall. Second shelf from the top.”

I heard Gina’s voice repeating its location. “Frank is on his way, my queen. Hold on.”

“Are you sick yet?” I could barely manage to speak. “Don’t want you. Frank. To die.”

“I feel fine. I swear. It doesn’t seem to affect us, or at least not as quickly. No matter, my queen. Our lives are dedicated to you. If you’re not here, we’re coming with you.”

“Me too,” Kevin said. “You’re contractually bound, remember?”

“What?” I croaked. Blinking my eyes, trying to focus on him.

He grinned at me, even though tears streaked his cheeks. “I asked for it in the consiliarius agreement. If you die, I die too. Sealed in your blood, my queen.”

“Me too,” Gina said. “And Frank. Once I saw Kevin’s request, I added the clause to ours as well. You can’t get rid of us by dying. You’re stuck with us forever.”

“Sealed. In blood.” Guillaume’s voice sounded like dead sticks rubbing together. “Can’t be. Undone. Forever.”

I felt wetness on my cheeks but feared it might be blood instead of tears. My face felt stiff and unnatural, but I hoped I was smiling. “You honor me. All of you. My family.”

“Long live House Isador,” Gina whispered.

“I’ve got it!” Frank yelled, running closer. His steps regular thuds. Not long, drawn out pauses.

Thierry’s miracle was at its end. Fitting. Now.

I heard rustling. Whispers. A sound like a bottle being uncorked. Hands lifted my head, but I was unaware of even lying down.

Something cold pressed to my lips.

“Wait.” I pulled back. Forcing my eyes open. Gina, close, leaning down over me. Frank hesitated, a small silver flask in his hand. “How much?”