For centuries, I have stood as guardian of this realm. I watched the crown fall once and have never forgotten the blood, the hunger, the years it took us to claw our way back from the brink. When you rose, you ushered in an age of peace and beauty in Ashmorra, and for that, you have my enduring loyalty and gratitude.
But this threat is not like the others. You are not strong enough to defeat Lorik. Not while you are so distracted with other wars. That of your curse. Your human. If the crown falls again, there will be no rebuilding, only annihilation. Every city. Every life. I won’t allow that future to come to pass. I cannot.
Your father understands the shifter king better than any living soul. He alone can face him and survive. He was once my friend, and I believe—no, I know—I can reach him. Perhaps he is even the fabled phoenix we’ve waited centuries to seerise.
You will call my actions treason. I accept that judgment. But understand this: I do not act againstyou. I actfor Ashmorra. For our people. For the realm that has already paid too high a price for hope misplaced.
I have chosen the path that gives us a chance to live. If I’m wrong, history will brand me a traitor. If I’m right, our people survive.
That is a fate I’m willing to do anything to oversee.
—Roland
I crumpled the letter into a tiny ball. He couldn’t even face me in battle as an honorable berserker. Just worked behind my back. An ash-born coward.
But the worst part? Losing Commander Hoffmann.
“What else?” I croaked. “You saidfor starters. So what is next?”
She darted her gaze. “Only that we’ve now gathered all the ingredients, so Emma can start the mixing process.”
“What’s the problem?”
“Well…” She nibbled on her bottom lip. “The potion kinda needs to steep for, like, seven days,” Adelaide admitted and winced. “Oops?”
“Seven?” I blurted, staring in shock. Seven days with Taron. In my world, my home. As my friend. “But I thought?—”
“Yeah. My bad.” She spread her arms, allit is what it is. “I failed to read thefull recipe.”
Taron muttered something under his breath and rubbed his chest, right over his bond-scorched heart. “I took a leave of absence from work and didn’t specify a time for my return.”
So. The professor would be my guest. Probably sleeping in my room. I would assign guards to him, but if I knew him, and I was beginning to think I did, he would give them the slip and go wherever he wished. I licked my lips. “Make the announcement,” I instructed Adelaide. “Touch him, and heads roll.”
“I can handle myself,” he answered with a frown.
“I know.” Wait. “Did you think I doubted your strength?” I rolled my eyes. “As if I am so foolish. If anyone touches you, you’ll take their head as a trophy, and I’ll have to punish you or face revolt.”
He blinked in surprise. Then he smiled, suddenly sheepish, basking in my praise, like he valued my opinion. I almost couldn’t stop myself from flying into his arms.
“I’ll behave,” he promised.
“Thank you.”
“Ugh. Please wait till I’m gone to continue whatever kind of banterthisis,” Adelaide muttered, waving a hand between us. As I pursed my lips at her, she patted herself on the back. “By the way. We found and destroyed Lorik’s rift. You’re welcome.”
Hmm. So quickly? So easily?
“That was quick,” Taron said with a frown, mirroring my thoughts. “Too quick. I bet he has at least one other.”
Yeah. I bet so too. “And that’s not all.” I told my sister about Nyla being with Cedric.
She cringed. “Ja. I intended to get to that. I fought her while she was springing him. ButI’m fine now. All healed up.”
I rubbed the back of my neck. “Just…send out another search party and find any other rifts before Cedric and Nyla escape this realm.” What was their end goal? My death? Total takeover? “As for the traitors and Lorik, I want their heads on a platter.”
My focus slid to Taron and arched a brow. “Seven days.”
He nodded. “Seven days.” He didn’t exactly appear upset by the delay.
