“Uncle always found his answers in books,” Reid informs, wiping his chin. A tear falls on to the floor but no one comments on it. “Maybe he knew something we didn’t?”
“Butwhatbook?”
My mind spins, worry over the situation, worry over Kaden. I feel him, growing further away, his hunger, his pain. It’s mirrored in me, a tarry blackness that’s too bleak for words and I can barely breathe with it weighing me down.
What can we do to help him? What about Zelos’ revenge?
The ladies are running from the chamber as lords call for their guards. There aren’t many left. The arrows took out anyone not covered by Kaden’s magical shelter. There are bodies of Fae everywhere.
It’s complete mayhem and I can’t focus.I need Kaden.
“Oslo told me,” I begin, tasting blood on my lip, hands shaking. “That he thought I could break the curse.Kaden’scurse. But he never explained how or why.”
Because he didn’t know if I would do it. He didn’t know if I lovedKaden enough to save him and he gave me that choice. A choice that now, I’ll gladly make.
“Oslo thinks the curse can break?” Fee asks, eyes wide. “If it’s about breaking a curse, then it has to be in the library. Or his office. He wouldn’t trust Zelos with it.”
“Library,” I murmur, mind turning. “There’s an odd book in the library under glass. Do you know it?”
Reid exhales loudly. “Fuck, I forgot about that. Uncle always said it was our mother’s favorite.”
“How can it be a favorite if it never leaves the case?”
All three of us share a look. There is something with that book—something in it we must see. Oslo wouldn’t have left breadcrumbs if not for a reason.
Zeke rushes to our side, helping me with calloused hands. “We have other problems, My Majesties.”
We glance to the entrance, more guards filling the entryway. Their comrades lie on the ground, dead, by their own hands as they step over their bodies. Some of them glance to the general and their faces fall, but most don’t.
These guards are loyal only to Zelos. Only his cause.
Fee steps in front of us, shoulder to shoulder with the guards loyal to us. The numbers are abysmal. We won’t last.
“We need to get that book from the library. It can help Kaden.” Oslo used his last breath to instruct us on what to do. His last moment on this continent was to save Kaden.
We would need that book to break his curse, I’m sure of it.
Stepping between the captain and Fee, I stand tall, letting the lapping energy flood my veins. Smiling, I feel Kaden’s shadows engulf it, soothing its rage, binding to it inside of me like a fierce hug. With his soul’s help, the magic doesn’t pull on me, but waits for my orders.
Glancing to the soldiers, I listen for their hearts. They’re a steady stucco, a drum that beats on the wind. They roll like thunder in my ears, but it doesn’t frightenme.
I enjoy it.
It’s punishing life under my control and I bend my fingers, tips so dark they look black.
“Max.” Reid grabs my wrist to stop me but I shake him off.
“I can do this.”
“And if it drains you?” Fee asks, eyes narrowed. “Then, what?”
“It won’t,” I assure them. “But in any case, if it does, remember the goal. Get the book.”
There are rows of guards, soldiers, all armed and yet, my magic builds, larger, stronger. It purrs at the odds, angry at not having been released. It wants to unleash its horrible fury on them.
This power is a gift from the Gods and I intend to use it.
Raising my hands, I watch as the black drifts higher, staining my palms, to my forearms. I’ve submerged myself in blood and I grin, pleased.
