“And I thought you were going to kill me,” Kai says, his voice cold and dangerous. I barely breathe, watching him move. Each gust, each flicker of lightning, each vicious arc of wind, and the way he moves is terrifying, yet beautiful.
His attacks don’t stop, not even when the doors behind us burst open, the crowd pressing against the whipping ice.
I raise my hand, focusing on the door, creating a barrier and refusing to let them interfere.
“Siralaine! Enough of this!” Father snarls.
“Enough! You weren’t here to protect me, so why do you think I should listen to you?” I hiss, my rage fuelling my powers.
But those who are trying aren’t able to get closer. The tornado Kai has created is destroying everything it touches. Vaan is simply a bundle of blood and flesh. I’m not even sure if he’s breathing anymore.
No one can get close.
Then Kai strikes. Lightning flashes through the open window and strikes Vaan’s body, and then everything stills.
It’s over.
The wind calms, and Kai folds his wings as he turns, but my moment of relief disappears when I feel his pain through the bond. He’s hurt. He’s trying to act like he’s fine, but there’s a slight stagger to his steps. His movements are slower as he strides over to me and pulls me closer, burying his nose in my hair.
I’m sorry I couldn’t come sooner; he had me ambushed. You were right, he wanted to marry one of you, and then kill Morcant.
“You came just in time, I’m just glad you’re ok,” I whisper, caressing his jaw.
“Keiran Kaldor! We finally have the chance to meet. But alas, you’ll be dead soon,” Father says, his voice full of venom. “After all, you have fallen to her curse.”
Kai looks up at Father, his eyes hard before he moves me behind him and steps towards Father, his eyes glinting. “No curse can end me. You should be worried about your own life.” He glances at Vaan’s dead body and then smirks. “You’ll be joining him soon.”
A ripple of shock dances through the crowd.
“She bears the curse her mother carried. There is only one way to end it. Do you really think your feelings or whatever you have for one another are going to protect you? You overexerted yourself and, in doing so, sped up the curse. Can’t you see it, Siralaine?”
I frown, looking at Kai, and then I spot them – the black veinsrunning through his back, past his tattoos and down his spine. He steps forward towards Father, and I see his balance falter. This battle has cost him far too much.
I step toward him, fear and love crashing together in my chest. “Kai,” I whisper in horror.
He’s dying because of me. He can’t die! I won’t let him die!
“You die here, Morcant,” Kai says, unfazed.
No! He’s going to use the last of what he has to kill Morcant! Horror at the thought fills me, and I shake my head.
“Kai, you’re weakened,” I whisper.
“I have enough in me to defeat him,” Kai answers.
“Zeran! Where are your men?!” Father snarls.
“I don’t know… maybe it is time for a new ruler. If his heart is in the right place.” Lord Zeran looks at me, and I nod.
“Kai’s is,” I say.
“And I will rule with my queen. It’s time for a new ruler to lead Varindor, not Varkhazan, and certainly not you, Morcant. Varindor needs someone just, someone who will divide the land equally so the rich and the poor can all live comfortably,” Kai says.
“And you think you are that man?” Father sneers.
“I might not be the best, but I’m better than you, and with Sira by my side, I’m sure she’ll make up for the compassion I lack!” Kai says, and with that, he dives for one of the ice shards on the floor, and swinging it with full force, he releases it. It zooms towards Father in a blur, who raises a shield of water, but Kai’s throw is infused with wind, and it cuts through the water. I gasp when it lodges in my father’s throat, his crown falling from his head, hitting the ground with a loud clang.
My stepmother screams as everyone watches in horror as Father falls to the ground dead.
