Beasts ripped through my army and Ivenrail’s wicked fae lords and ladies wielded gruesome magic, slashing through my people in broad sweeps.
Guttural cries overhead called to me, and I tipped my head back, watching as the stones in the bone coins winked in the sunlight. Dregs snatched coins from the sky, their shrieks echoing around me. The moment they touched a coin, they shuddered and dove away from the dragons, toppling towardthe ground. Their magic-spawned wings fluttered as their bodies succumbed to death spirals.
They changed as they fell and people—glorious, powerless people—landed squarely on their feet, peering around in bewilderment. Some cried out and ran across the plain toward the low hills, seeking safety, while others grabbed swords from the fallen and charged toward Ivenrail’s army.
Five Lieges stood at the top of the tallest hill, their tattered robes whipping around their skeletal frames in the stiff wind. Their glowing eyes took in the carnage below.
Aunt Vera flitted to join them, and when she caught my eye, she dipped her head my way.
With their hearts returned, they can now be whole once more,she said in my mind.The balance, such a precarious thing, can be restored. It’s time for me to do my part.
I would kill Ivenrail, but she . . .What do you plan to do?Panic cut through my voice.
Everything,she breathed. Her face softened, and it was all I could do to breathe.You’re the joy of your mother’s heart and the power of your people.Just as I will serve a greater purpose today, so must you.You know what we need, sweet one.
“I do,” I croaked, my eyes stinging. Restoring balance would come at such a great cost.
A low hum rang out, and soldiers around me paused, seeking the sound. Beasts stopped slashing their horns and sucked in deep breaths. Monsters and people alike came to a standstill, their weapons dropping to their sides. All turned to face the Lieges who’d formed a circle with their hands linked together.
Aunt Vera stood in the center.
“For Lydel,” she shouted, her voice blazing with feral excitement. Her words shot through the air, churning past me in a furious wave.
Her hands lifted as if conducting a grand concert, and the hum erupting from the Lieges grew to a din that pierced the very air around us.
The powerless stormed toward the hill, massing around the Lieges and my aunt. With hands clasped, they bowed down before the Lieges, worshiping the cloaked beings who would protect them while they restored the balance.
My aunt’s gaze met mine.Live in peace, sweet one.
Her arms dropped, and light blazed across this world and beyond, a flash of power so bright everyone gasped and shielded their eyes.
I stumbled backward, barely maintaining my footing.
The light winked out.
In the place of the five tattered Lieges stood pristine, glowing silver pillars, sentinels who would watch over the powerless once I’d finished helping them restore the balance.
The powerless bowed again before streaming across the plain, touching one person after another. Each shuddered and dropped their weapons.
My aunt was gone, fused with the Lieges.
“No,” I whimpered. “No!” I flitted to the top of the hill and walked among the pillars, touching each warm stone statue, seeking the woman who’d protected me, loved me, and given what she had left to ensure this world would finally be rid of a monster. “Aunt Vera. Aunt Vera!”
My words shot around me, blasting across the plain and those who stood stunned by what had happened.
You know what you have to do.Her words echoed in my mind.
“Aunt Vera,” I cried, letting my tears fall.
Oh, how I’d weep. But if I understood anything, it was sacrifice. All of us would do what we must to make sure good triumphed today.
“Thank you,” I whispered. “I’ll miss you.”
Blinking fast, I tipped my head back, seeking a sapphire dragon with a rider I craved above all others.
I found the dragon, but . . .
Glim held no rider.
