“Then I used my hammer to fashion that metal into the shape of a dragon, and I hammered it into my own chest.”
My eyes are wide, my breath still.
Thaden’s jaw is so tight that I’m surprised he hasn’t cracked his teeth.
“I forced myself to stay awake for long enough to drive the device deep into my heart before I passed out.”
He lifts his right hand. “This hand… It is no longer peaceful.”
He closes his fingers into a fist.
“I knew that Graviter would sense his son’s death and come looking for me, so I left the village as quickly as I could. I went straight to the clifftop where I used to meet Milena, and there she was, waiting for me.
“I tried to explain how Lysander died. I tried to tell her I had no choice, but she wouldn’t listen. I tried to ask for her help, but she refused. I told her she should have made Asha a hammer, and that was when she flew into a rage and cut off her own hand. She was the last hammer-maker. She did it just to fucking spite me.”
His voice becomes a snarl. “She believed that I hadchosento become like my father, and indeed, by then, it was true. I used one of the devices I’d created on the lone tree that grows on that clifftop. It trapped Milena within a spiderweb of branches. It would trap any Blacksmith who stepped close enough to it. So that is where I sent Asha.”
I draw back a little, horrified. “How would caging her like that protect her?”
“Because I know Graviter Rex. His fury knows no end. He will seek justice by killing every living Blacksmith, no matter how innocent they are. That includes Asha. And you. And Gallium.”
I gasp. “Gallium!”
“Will be safe with the fae. But Asha isn’t. As soon as she promised Queen Karasi that she would go west, she was in grave danger. If I could have gone with her—” His jaw clenches. “But I couldn’t. So I sent her, not straight into the heart of danger, but to the only location where she might be safe.”
“But… what will stop Graviter Rex from burning down that tree with Asha trapped inside?” I ask, horrified.
“Because Milena is also inside it,” he says.
My forehead creases. “Why would that make a difference?”
“Because the dragon Milena rides—a forest dragon named Torva Viridia—witnessed our battle. She loves Milena and will not leave her. She’s bound to try to free Milena, but she won’t succeed. The dark magic in that tree will keep her at bay. Most importantly, however, she won’t allow Milena to be burned alive.”
I shake my head. “That is a terrible gamble.”
“Which is why I need to get back to Asha as soon as I can.” He searches my eyes, a painful desperation entering his expression. “But I won’t abandon my promise to her, either. She will never help me if anything happens to you.Please, will you come with me?”
He drags in a breath, his chest pressing to mine as he inhales deeply, and his voice softens. “You will be safe inMyrkur Fjall,and maybe, once you see what I’m protecting, you’ll stop looking at me as if I’m your enemy.”
I can’t breathe. Can barely think. But even if I could think clearly, I doubt it would help me right now.
No matter how much I wish I had a choice, I don’t.
“I’ll come with you.” I fight a sudden and unexpected sense of anticipation as I continue. “I will see what you want me to see.”
The tension in his body vanishes.
His thumb brushes my jaw, and a smile touches his lips.
“I promise you, Tamra Silverspun,” he whispers. “It will explain everything.”
Part Two
The Fire in the Snow
ASHA SILVERSPUN - PRESENT DAY
Chapter 11
