"I did what had to be done! Sytal would have put us at war. He'd already attacked Dunivear and sent soldiers to Zazerene. The longer he remained in power, the more lives we lost. Yes, I am responsible for the death of many good men, but they were men who followed a tyrant who cared nothing for them, only for power. Sytal saw me as a threat, the only person capable of ending his reign, so he hunted me down and waged war against me. I realized then what I had to do. Ending Sytal's life wasn't enough. The only way Virgamor can know peace is under one ruler, someone the people will respect and obey."
Eramus shook his head. "And you think you're fit for the job? The lack of peace in Virgamor is because of my uncle. You said so yourself. Now that he's gone, why not lay this grudge to rest? You've had your vengeance, filled whatever duty you felt my grandfather bound you to. It is your selfish lust for power that fuels you now, not the concern for our people."
Morzaun’s sinister laugh sent shivers down Eramus’s spine. “You think the threat has vanished with the death of your uncle? Delran is just as much a tyrant as his father, and he searches for you, Eramus. He will not hesitate to kill you to exact his own vengeance, nor will he cease the pursuit of his father’s vision. He rebuilds Izarden’s army as we speak and prepares for war with Dunivear!”
"And your plan is no better!"
Morzaun's chest heaved, and his cheeks turned red. "Delran is a monster just like Sytal. Do you know how he killed your mother?"
Eramus took a step back. He didn't want to hear this. The few images of his mother comforting him after he'd revealed his magic were all he had of her. The last thing he wanted was that one memory tainted with the details of her death.
"She instructed her handmaiden to take you away. In the dark of night she told you goodbye, and by next morning's light, Sytal knew what she had done."
"Stop." The word came out breathless, just above a whisper.
“He demanded she tell him where she’d sent you. She refused, and he slit her throat with his sword. He left her body to rot on the palace floor! His own sister, Eramus! Your mother gave up her life to protect you. She gave up her life to stop Sytal.”
A tear slid down Eramus's cheek. "And you betray her by becoming just like him. She would be ashamed of what you've become."
“Your mother made me weak. Had it not been for her, I would have ended Sytal’s life long before he led Izarden to war. But I couldn’t hurt her. He was the only family she had left. Love makes us weak, Eramus. It keeps us from doing what is necessary…from doing what destiny demands of us. That is why we must distance ourselves. That is why I hired someone to take care of your little distraction!”
Eramus's heart skipped a beat. "What did you say?"
Morzaun scowled. "I said, I ordered your little distraction to be taken care of, but I made the mistake of hiring those worthless buffoons who thought they could double cross me. They didn't live long enough to regret their mistake; I saw to that."
"You? You hired the mercenaries to kill Evree?"
"I hired them to keep you from making a mistake. That girl serves no purpose but to draw you away from your destiny. You belong at my side, Eramus, not here in this pathetic village playing husband. We can do so much more. We can establish peace and rule Virgamor together."
At any moment, Eramus felt like his body might burst into flames with the amount of heat radiating across his skin. His own father had hired mercenaries to assassinate the woman he loved, all because Morzaun believed love was a weakness unworthy of pursuit. Yelene and Aldeth were right. Losing Eramus's mother and the lust for vengeance had warped his father's mind beyond saving. The man before him hid a monster within, a monster that would do anything for his plan of domination to prevail.
Blue light encompassed Eramus's hands. "Darkness has consumed your soul, and I want nothing to do with you or your plan!"
Morzaun took several steps backwards. “You’re making a mistake, Eramus! My plan is the only way the people of Virgamor will ever be safe. If you truly love her, then join me. Protect her by helping me eliminate the threats against us. Help me establish peace.”
The luminescence around his hands increased. His father walked the line between rational and insane. Eramus couldn't allow him to continue. He threatened to destroy everything. "I won't let you do this."
Morzaun's gaze flicked to Zeeran, who's blue aura surrounded his hands. Eramus hadn't wanted to face his cousin, but so long as Morzaun lived, Virgamor would never be safe, and if stopping him required Eramus to fight, he would do so.
With all the strength he could muster, Eramus snapped his hands forward, sending a beam of magical energy barreling towards his father. Morzaun's gaze remained firm and unflinching as the light drew closer to his body.
Eramus would make sure his father's plan never came to pass. He would protect everyone he loved from the man with whom he shared a connection of blood and magic.
