“It’s done,” Ryker’s deep voice presses into me from a distance. He gently pushes the wind over the nape of my neck.
“He refused to fight me.” I glare at Galen’s body as it begins to melt away. I have only a few more minutes of magic left.
“In the end, the only thing that mattered was his death, Titus.” Ryker comes to my side, waiting for me to lower the flames on my body so he can come closer.
“You and I know that is a lie. It mattered. Greatly.” I bitterly keep my fire up. “I want to be alone.”
“That is why I will remain by your side.” He dares to step closer. I’m not controlling the heat. It pains him as he risks his flesh reaching out to grab me. For one second, the heat touches his fingertips. He’s a stubborn ass. He doesn’t flinch.
“Don’t let Galen win. You have the castle, the army, the queen, and this.” He grabs my hand. Galen’s crown fills my palm as Ryker forces my fingers closed. He steps back.
I despise this putrid lump of metal. Raising my hand, I pour every ounce of fire I have left into it. Watching as the metal gives way. I stride closer, hovering over Galen’s body, holding his melting crown out as it drips into useless nothing.
That is what his memory will be. Nothing.
I am a grain of sand, unsure whether I should scatter and seek solace or settle into a dune, pressing into the arms of my family who wish to make me into something solid.
This victory is lemonade made with rotten fruit and no sugar. I don’t want to gulp it down. “This is what you wanted, Everett. I’m king, but Adrian was right. I crave something else. No crown on my head, just the merit of my worth and actions. Kings do not bend knees to other kings.”
I cannot strip this world of titles; that will only cause more wars. “How do I stop an endless cycle, Everett?” I rasp.
Make them fight for the same cause. Make the protection of runes more important than castles and titles.
Is that the trick? What leashes them will also give them more magical freedom?
“Titus,” Ryker’s voice presses into my neck. The sun has settled into its morning position. Morning breakfast will be served with the news of my actions.
Oh, when did the fire turn to ash? Where are Galen’s bones? I step closer. No more. I’ve lingered too long. My magic is used up; consequently, my flames have vanished.
“That burden of uncertainty on your shoulders can be shared, brother. Everett made sure you had a net to catch you. I’m here.” His hand gently touches my shoulder. “We do not have to solve every question; we need only answer the morepressing ones. We need to return and make sure the castle is secure.”
“How do I deliver victory when it’s served on a rusty platter?”
“You garnish it,” Ryker claps my back. “Focus on your next task and how it will change the world.”
I know my mate. She doesn’t like cherries on top; she likes the truth. I don’t know if Selene will forgive me for taking this kill from her.
Chapter
Forty-Six
Selene
Elderan steps back, tugging the light magic he used to change Tristan into one of his new creations back into his eyes. His robes are as stiff as the walls of the small room. For one blink of an eye, nothing moves, not my heart, not Tristan’s body, nor the dust particles drifting in the air.
Static prickles along my skin, and then Tristen’s body collapses. “No!” I cry.
I shove forward, expecting a push back, but I’m free too! I blanket Tristen with my body, then shake him. Is he dead?
I slap his face. “Open your eyes!” I plead. He looks… dead. He bears such a resemblance to Titus, it’s haunting. “No!” My inhale burns. “Tristen, wake up!”
Why do I feel like this is a warning of what could happen? My mate, dead in my arms.
Sealing my eyes shut, I blast my healing magic into him. But I barely have any left. I’ve been treating sleep like an option when I should’ve made it a necessity.
“Do not waste your last dredges of magic. You will need it soon,” Elderan says flatly.
A faint exhale warms my palm. “Tristen!” He’s alive. I rub his cheeks, trying to bring color into them.“What did you do?” I scream, cradling Tristen to my chest and rocking him.
