Yes,Death answered.The magic cannot function without your command. I am merely forming a bridge between your desires and it. You will soon sense how to focus its power on your own and then we can move on to spellwork. But for now, let me guide you.
“I don't have much of a choice.”
Of course, you do. If you didn't, I would have forced you to use the magic long ago. But you had to choose this, Ember. And without me inside you, you would have had to conquer the magic on your own. That is not an easy feat. Aranren nearly lost his mind in the process. He never was the same.
I was in the bedroom the Corrupter had once imprisoned me in, walking to the door, but stopped when he said the last bit. “That's what turned him into the Corrupter? He went crazy from trying to master the magic?”
Perhaps. Perhaps the damage only released the evil lurking within.
“Why didn't you help him as you're helping me?”
Haven't you guessed yet? Aranren is not worthy of my help. I've only spoken to him because he impressed me with his determination. But that was after he survived and began to cast the spells in the book he stole. I have never taught him, Ember. He learned on his own. You are the student I have been waiting for.
“Survived? So this magic could kill me?”
Without my help, yes. Great power is gained only through great risk.
Not that I cared about the risk. I was just curious. It explained a few things I'd been wondering about. “Where is Keltyr?”
Step into the corridor. Your man is in a cell at the end.Aranren is preparing to question him.
Question him. Right. That would not be pleasant for Kel.
I left the bedroom and headed to the right. At the end of the corridor, I found a locked door made of solid wood and banded with iron. I let go of the handle and reached for my new magic. The thought of using another magic didn't even occur to me. Later, I would worry about that, but not then.
The door clicked open, I walked through the doorway, and down an aisle between iron cells. The one closest to the door was occupied.
“Fuck you, you . . .” Keltyr trailed off as he saw me.
Kel's cell was bare of everything but him. No cot, or straw on the floor, not even a bucket to piss in.
“Ember?” Keltyr rushed to the bars and grabbed them.
His tunic was bloody, one eye swollen shut, and his nose was in even worse shape.
“Kel!” I ran to him and reached through the bars to gently brush his cheek. “What did he do to you? That son of a bitch!”
“I'm fine. It's nothing.” He covered my hand with his. “How the fuck did you get in here, Ember?”
Instead of answering him, I drew back and focused on the cell door.Help me, I said in my mind, hoping Death would hear me. The magic rushed through me and the door swung open. Before Kel could question me again, I wrapped him in my arms, hoping he wouldn't reject me. “I'm so sorry, Kel. I know what you saw. It was a mistake. A terrible mistake. I'm so sorry.”
Keltyr shuddered and folded over me, his tail curling around my right calf. “I'm sorry I was a fool. I shouldn't have come here. I just . . .” He set me back from him, but only to look at me. “I thought if I could rescue those kids, you would love me. You'd choose me over Jathalion. I know it's idiotic, and I'm so fucking embarrassed, but there it is, the truth.”
“Kel,” I whispered and took his hands. “You don't have to prove anything to me. I'm the fool, not you. I wish I could take back what I did with Jath. I've hurt three men I love today.”
“Three?” Kel whispered.
“I love you, Kel. I've loved you for a while now. It should have been you in that field. I'm so sorry. I was scared. Can you forgive me? I don't blame you if—”
Keltyr yanked me into his arms and kissed me. Despite his injuries, he gave me all he had. In that kiss was everything I'd been waiting for. Looking for. Hoping for. It had been in my hands this whole time. Kel. I had to lose him to see how much he meant to me.
Ember, we must get to the children,Death said.
I pulled back, my heart shivering with relief. I still had Kel. Even if Xae and Rath . . . oh, fuck, that hurt. I couldn't think about them, not here. I had Kel, and I had to get him to safety. Then we could see to his wounds . . . and mine.
“We have to go.”
“But, Ember, how did you—”
