“Selene would be trapped in Galen’s bed forever. Then what, Titus? You need to be ten steps ahead to beat Galen. Sure, he’s not as skilled with a sword; but he’s mastered the use of his vines.”
Tristen turns my head to the rose bushes that encircle us. Even from this far distance, I can see how large the thorns are.
“Those vines are like hands. You’ll slice some away, burn others. Once your magic is used up, when one vine grabs your sword, and the other your legs, then what?” He slaps my cheek. “Galen is a different enemy; he can kill you from afar and close up. You need to find another way to kill him.”
“Another way…” I mutter.
I understand, Everett. I know how to get close enough to Galen to make the kill without him noticing. I also know why you put a time limit on your magic. It’s seductive, this thought I have.
Turning, I look at the field, feel the wind as it dances one last tango through the grass. I will burn it; I see all the black roses, which I will turn grey and ashen. I see Blackthorn, the mighty castle made of glossy black stone. I see everything I will burn down.
“Time. Everett’s magic is the key again!” My grin spreads so wide it reaches my ears.
Tristen’s brows furrow. “Even if you trap Galen in the time bubble, his magic will still work.”
“That’s why I’ll trap myself in the bubble. I’ll sneak up behind Galen and end him. He’ll never see me coming.”
That kind of power is unmatched. That’s why Everett didn’t want me to have it forever. Eventually, it would taint me. Everett knew I’d have to kill Galen before we found the book. We’re on the right track.
Tristen’s chin falls, his eyes bounce back and forth as he thinks. His nod is slow. “When?”
I spot a weed with red petals, so I reach down and pluck it, holding it between my fingers. “My heart tells me to do it now.”
“But the fallout?”
My fingers snap open. I watch as the weed falls. “I need to find Vice Admiral Adrian again.”
“The army will listen to the Admiral.” Tristen shoulders relax as he nods. “That’s why Everett picked him.”
“Exactly,” I reply. “How much fire do you think it would take to burn that castle to the ground?” I ask my brother.
He pauses, then whistles. “You’d need a bloody dragon.”
“Perhaps we will find one.”
“I doubt it, but if we do I call dibs.” Tristen steps closer.
I shake my head as a laugh sounds from my lips.
Attacking Galen now would have changed everything. Adrian would name no new king; Tristen would die, Selene would be trapped, and Sable would have the book. I run my hand down my face. I must ignore the bond until it snaps and takes over, at which point I will attack Galen, because Everett would have anticipated it.
Timing is everything.
Chapter
Thirty-Five
Selene
Aheavy scent of roses engulfs my senses as we enter my tower in the castle. “I think you’re losing your touch, Galen. These roses have an old lady smell about them,” I jab.
No reply. That’s unlike Galen. What’s he plotting now? To cage me in my room?
Two of his guards follow us; the rest remain stationed like dolls outside. I’m still holding my breath from when I pleaded with Titus to stand down.
His enraged eyes were directed at me, not just Galen. The clench of his jaw told me that letting me leave with Galen had broken something in his mind. It damaged his confidence. He took it as rejection, my lack of faith that he could not win me in battle.
My footsteps drag. The hallway stretches long and endless, like the wars we continue to wage against one another. “When will it stop, Galen?” I blurt out. I lean against the wall to catch my breath.
