“Are you speaking to it now?” Finn asked in horror. “Here? It has followed you into the citadel?”
“Yes. He can go anywhere.” I held up my hand before any further questions came. “Please, just let me explain.”
General Ranor nodded crisply. “You will explain to us, and then you will explain to the Emperor, Lord Ember.”
A knot formed in my belly, but I nodded. “I didn't trust Death. I assumed he was evil. But that may be wrong. He has slowly been showing me that he can be trusted. On that mission when I nearly died, it was Death who warned me of the Corrupter's attack. And he says it was also he who led Jathalion to reach me in time. But still, I refused to use the magic. I thought he was trying to trick me.”
“How could it not be?” Nex asked.
“Because today, Death got me through the Corrupter's ward. I had to welcome him into my mind so he could guide me. I could hear him in my head, and feel him helping me control the magic. Instead of training for weeks, he gave me instant control of the power.”
“The Consciousness of Death Magic helped you control Death Magic?” Ranor asked.
“I am not a consciousness, I am a fucking God!” Death roared.
This time, the entire assembly flinched, their stares shooting around the room.
“Holy fuck,” Nex whispered.
“You heard him?” I looked around. “All of you heard that?”
“Yes, we heard him,” Rath said. “Great Goddess protect us.”
“You need no protecting from me, Wraith Lord Ratharin,” Death said. “I am Death, but I am not evil. Death is only the counterpart to Spirit. There is no life without death, not even immortal life. I am the God to the Goddess. Darkness to light. I can be as generous as she and as merciless. Today, I showed Ember how to use my magic so that his mind wouldn't be crushed by the weight of power. I guided him through the Corrupter's castle and helped him save those children as well as the Wraith Lord Keltyr. I got him to his beloved before the Corrupter could begin questioning him. I taught him the spell to cast a death ward and buy them precious minutes to escape. And when all were safe, I withdrew from Ember's mind. I could have stayed. I could have taken control of him. But I did not because I am not evil. I want to be his teacher, not his master. Gods do not enslave, only men do that.”
I spread out my hands. “There it is. The truth.” I turned to face my men. “I'm sorry I hid it from you. I wasn't sure what to do, and I knew you wouldn't approve of me speaking to him. He kept offering to teach me, but I refused until Kel was taken, and there was no other way to save him.” I glanced at Keltyr and added, “I would have done anything to bring him back safely.”
“You can tell us anything, Ember,” Rath said.
Xae added, “If we disagree with you, we will discuss it. But no matter what, we will still love you.”
“I love you too. No matter what.” I hugged him, then Rath, and then I looked at Kel.
Kel opened his arms, and I went into them.
As we hugged, Keltyr whispered in my ear, “Does this mean we're having sex tonight?”
“Fuck, yes,” I whispered back. Then I leaned away and gently touched his eye. The swelling had already gone down. “If you can handle it.”
“Oh, I can handle it. I reset my nose after that dickhead broke it. Everything's healing. Don't you worry.”
“Kel,” I whispered, my hand cupping his cheek. “I hate that you were hurt.”
His stare went serious, and I knew he understood that I didn't mean merely his physical wounds. “I'll be fine, sweetheart. Love heals all.”
“So, that's it?” Jath demanded. “We're just accepting that he used Death Magic? The Great Ember, savior of the world? None of you are upset by this? Shouldn't he be held accountable?”
Jath. Holy fuck. He hadn't left after all. And it was just as I expected. He hated me even more.
“Watch your fucking tone, Jathalion,” Nex growled.
“We're accepting that what Ember did saved a group of children and Lord Keltyr,” General Ranor said before Jath could respond to Nex. “Ember was faced with a terrible choice—either use a magic he didn't trust or lose someone he loved. I support his decision, especially since it appears to be the right one. That doesn't mean we or he will accept the Death Magic. It is still proving itself.”
“Oh, for fuck's sake,” Death muttered. “This is boring me. Call unto me when you decide to accept my tutelage, Ember.” And then he was gone.
“You trustthat?” Jath waved at the empty air.
“I believe I just said that we don't trust it,” General Ranor growled. “I understand your concern, Lord Jathalion, but I'm shocked at the rancor I sense in you. It sounds as if you wish for Ember to be punished. What is your true issue with him?”
