“He murdered my parents, imprisoned my sister, and took my fucking Starbound—I want every trace of him scorched from life itself. I want any memory of him wiped clean, and everyone who’s loyal to him to die at my hand. There is no end to the violence I dream of inflicting. No one has more of a stake on his fate than I do, but Elyssara deserves it more.”
“Then, I cannot help. Maldrak is mine, or there is no deal,” he breathes, as if the conversation has drained him of valuable energy.
I fucking need him. I can’t break the spell without him. I can’t free Zerynthia. I can’t save my sister. I can’t take back my throne.Fuck.
I fold.
“Take my magic. Cull Maldrak. Help us break this spell and rescue my Starbound—the deal is off if we don’t get her back. Yes?” I say quickly before changing my mind.
Morrathys extends his wrist, the vein beating steady beneath pale skin. I press my palm over the pulse—the old Zerynthian way of sealing a bargain. A life for a life, as binding as the blood that carries it.
“Yes,” he confirms, and his pulse hammers beneath my palm, steady, unyielding.
The bargain is struck.
“Then give me what is mine to claim,” he says, and before I can draw breath, the cold takes me.
It starts in my fingertips—a tug, subtle at first, then vicious. The Shadowweave magic snarls inside me, every thread tightening around my ribs, around my throat, until it rips loose, strand by strand. I grit my teeth, fighting the groan clawing up my chest, but the pull is merciless. Darkness pours out of me. My shadows—myself—coil from my veins into his waiting hand, writhing like smoke obeying its true master. The tomb bends with it, tilting, shadows bowing low around Morrathys as if they know him.
My knees hit stone. The air tastes hollow. This isn’t pain—pain I could withstand. This is absence. Emptiness gnawing me out from the inside, leaving nothing but bone and shell. My heartbeat falters. I feel it in my palm, pressed to his wrist—nothispulse slowing.Mine.
When he finally lets go, I crumple forward, breath ragged, the echo of my own magic screaming in the hollow it leaves behind.
I’m Earthbound. Empty.Cleansed.
The absence of my magic screams louder than its presence ever did.
Another hollowing, torturous thing ripped from my veins. But for her, I’d do it a million times over.
I haul myself to my feet, chest still heaving, emptiness still gnawing at my bones, rioting in my mind. My eyes landon Morrathys, and some color has returned to his cheeks; a subtle luster coats his hair, and the dark rings under his eyes have given way to vitality. A deity once more. Skin the shade of moonlight, a contrast to his hair the color of a starless sky.
“You gave up a lot of power, Kael. It shows me you understand the sacredness of life. Are you sure you’re ready to take on a Marked army without your magic? How will justice be served?” Death probes, testing my mettle.
But I’m ready to be tested.
“Iamjustice. My blades know nothing but blood and victory, and my rage makes up for anything I’ll lack in magic,” I growl.
“Good. Now, let’s go get your Starbound,” he says simply.
I breathe deeply, preparing myself.
“Before we leave, there’s one more thing.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
ELYSSARA
The maids combthrough my tangled, filthy hair, but this time, they gently soak my skin in the bath and tend to the scum under my nails with tenderness—no sign of the vicious scrubbing or demeaning nicknames they were forced to use last time. No sign of any guards in the room, either.
No, Vessira ordered them out. She granted me the privacy I demanded—like a good dog who obeys her master.
My muscles and senses soften for the first time since I’ve been in this Starsforsaken place, relishing a few heartbeats to rest.
“Are you okay, miss?” Fern asks hesitantly.
“No,” I answer honestly, and offer no further explanation.
It’s the truth: I’m not okay. I may have magic that will save me from death, but will it give me life? Will it give me my friends? Will it mend my heart? Will it fix what’s been broken?
