PROLOGUE
Death filled the endless wastes of The Shadow Steppes. Thunder and the cries of steel had quieted to an echoing silence as the air shuddered—the realm quaking at the immense toll of the battle—the life and magic snuffed from our world in recent hours.
The soil beneath us had been robbed of life centuries ago when we fought the Titans. No animal had set foot in this land since, and the few trees left standing were stuck in an endless stage of rot.
The very land was cursed.
I hated standing here again, hated fighting my own—ones I had once called allies.
“You have lost. Surrender and return to your domain!” I drew back my bow, aimed at the Goddess before me. Her head was bent low as she cradled her fallen mate, her sobs echoing endlessly across the killing field, melding with the cries of those mourning the dead.
She didn’t speak, the agony of their broken bond flitting through the air, as if the very realm mourned her loss.
Arion stomped his large hoof into the dirt beneath me and snorted, his breath strong enough to stir up the dust on the ground. His powerful form rippled with energy, the battle not enough to diminish his spirit. Pride swelled within me, that he was willing to fight on if need be.
I ran my free hand through his thick mane to calm the massive stallion, and he tossed his head once more before bending to my will, his head lowering. My eyes fell back to the Goddess, and my allies closed in around her. My warriors, though weakened, fell into place, ready to strike if she lashed out. I prayed she would surrender; enough blood had been shed, enough lives lost.
“Surrender!” I repeated.
She hissed, her fangs bared as she clutched her fallen mate, his body, once the very essence of war, now limp in her gray arms—
My arrow protruding from his chest.
“I will destroy you,” she growled, her body quaking, her voice venom, her promise a curse.
A chill swept over me, and I steadied my bow, Arion’s body tensing beneath me.
“And when I’ve destroyed you.” Tears rolled down her cheeks as she lifted her murderous onyx gaze to me, and the sky seemed to darken. “I shall come for everyone you love, everything you hold dear… and you will watch as I make themsuffer.”
I jolted awake, my heart racing, sweat painting my brow as I looked around my chambers.
I was alone.
“Celestia, grant me peace,” I whispered, as I laced my trembling fingers together and dropped my head against them.
It had been a long time since I had suffered that nightmare. I wished so badly to forget—
But I couldn’t.
I would never be able to forget.
It would follow me forever.
PARTONE
CASSIE
“Watch your back, Cas!”
The mud sloshed beneath my boots as I slid to the side, evading the downstroke of Zephyr’s blade. My feet were light and swift as I swung around to face him, and my dagger sliced through the air as I countered. He blocked my strike, sweat glistening on his tawny skin. Barrett and Vincent paced around us, rotating to attack at any given moment. I swiped the damp curls that had come loose from my braid after hours of training from my face.
“A bit close there, Zephyr,” Damien growled.
“I wouldn’t have hit her,” Zephyr responded, glancing away from me. I could’ve used the opportunity to take him out, but I didn’t.
My breaths came in pants as I took a short break. “I’m fine,mea sol. If he doesn’t swing like he means it, I won’t get the full training.”
Damien didn’t respond, dragging a heavy breath through his teeth as he watched from the sidelines. Zephyr turned back to me, and we resumed training. Damien continued to take note of each move I made, prepared to critique or correct me at the slightest mistake. His long dark hair was half tied back, the rest cascading over his shoulders in soft waves. Color had returned to his skin in the few months since we’d found each other, the olive tone richer, healthier, and his build had filled out, his clothes fitting better. It was a relief to see the change in his overall health. I wondered if it was because he’d begun feeding from me regularly. The thought of it was enough to send my mind spiraling to thoughts of the intimate moments we’d shared over the last few months, the heated drunkenness that came when he fed, and I stumbled as my face and ears grew warm.
