Nodding, Neith looks to the dirt quietly. “It’ll strip the world of magic. Take it away, hide it from all those who are connected to it.” It’ll severe the bond like a beating heart cut from a chest.
“And this will end the war?”
“It should. It will take away the one thing the Humans wish to control. It will take awayherhold onthem. For without magic, there can be no war.” At least, that’s the theory.
Erase magic and erase the minds so it is nothing but a myth. They cannot fight a war for something they cannot remember.
Shecannot rage a war for something that is gone.
“You’re hoping, my love,” Marinus states, calmly, like he always is. He is the balm to her rage, ever since they were young kids running through the forests. “After whatSeti’sHigh Priest told you, you’re hoping this will end the war. Bring about the future he was informed of.” He shifts, balancing his weight to temper his words. “How do you know this will work?”
Carefully, Neith steps back, features hardened. “I have to trust that the man who hears the God of the Dead would be right in this.” She looks up into his kind eyes, him a good head taller than her small form, palms cupping his cheeks. “If not, then my trust is misplaced.”
“And if it is?” His eyes crinkle, searching hers. The anxious energy pouring off of him is thick. “You will strip magic from the world. Fromus. We are defenseless without it. If the war does not end, then we are as good as dead.”
It’s a giant risk. One she has to make.
“We have to trust that this path is the right choice,” she responds calmly. Gazing into his eyes, she tries to smile. “It won’t last long, Marinus.” She looks skyward, sighing. “It’s not meant to. Only to hold the war off untilshecan be beaten. Until another is born who can endherrule.”
The High Priest never informed her of who it would be or when.Only that another would be born, who could defeather. And she, Neith, was needed to enact this curse.
This curse would allow them all to fight another day.
She has to trust that this is the right way. If Marinus cannot, then she will for them both.
“Are you ready?” She takes his hand. Solid, warm, she soaks up his love before everything changes.
He kisses her knuckles but nods, brow furrowed in worry. “I am with you, Neith. Where you go, I follow. Always.”
Smiling gently, Neith exclaims one word before stomping her foot on to the vial. A bright flash of white light erupts, shooting out around them. The forest shakes, leaves fall and their horse rears back on its hind legs with a loud whine as the vibrations ripple outward.
Instantly, she knows it’s worked. A piece of herself that always felt called to the Blackwoods Forest that surrounds her home is dulled and empty. She runs her hands over the bark, ears ringing as her fingers touch the climbing ivy. She can’t feel their life force—their essence, the part of them that felt connected to her by way of magic.
A blockage grows and already, the memories of magic, of seeing incredible feats by her friends and foes are slipping away. Soon, no one will remember magic existed.
Marinus feels her pain, looking to his hands. Her heart breaks as she sees his eyes grow distant, his power snapped from him like an invisible limb.
Eventually, with time, magic will resurface and those who can feel the power, will show signs of tapping into it again. But for now, they will be without. She only hopes the High Priest was right—and Neevea would survive until then.
Chapter
One
MAXIMILLIA, PRISONER OF THE SHADOWLANDS
Ihear their footsteps echo down the deserted dungeon corridor long before I see their boots.
The compacted ground is cold against my butt, my legs having gone numb hours ago. There’s a drop of something wet in the corner but I don’t look.
I don’t so much as breathe.
Over the last week, I’ve dissociated from the world, floating in a sea of anger, sorrow and grief. It’s a heavy wave, crashing into me as I come to terms with my situation.
It’s been weeks since our final battle in the Eternal Night Forest. Weeks since I was struck with an arrow meant to incapacitate me, to bring me back to the Human palace with King Griffin as his tool. But, instead of the Humans getting me, Kaden stole me away for his father, King Zelos.
Kaden, the Dark Fae prince, who stole my heart in that wicked forest.
“Spew your hateful words at me, but if you utter another word toward the blood summoner, I’ll make your entire Coven regret it.”
