No, it can’t have all come to this. My family has given up everything. I brought the Kryodian Riders to their doom. Farron has lost his mother. There has to be a way for us to fix this—
“Take my magic.”
We look to Dayton. Blood paints the blond hair hanging over his shoulders, and his chest heaves, but there’s a strength to him, a strength that reminds me of his older brother, the former High Prince of Summer.
Dayton cups Farron’s face. “Take my magic, Fare. Take it and end this.”
Farron shakes beneath his touch. “What are you talking about? That’s impossible.”
“No, it’s not.” Dayton’s eyes turn steely. “Make a bargain with me.”
My chest heaves as I look between Dayton and Farron. The air is thick between them, as if the ancient magic of the world senses something powerful is about to happen.
“I can’t take your magic,” Farron breathes.
“Trust him,” I say and look down at Rosalina. “Not all bargains are evil.”
It was, in fact, a bargain with this stubborn, tenacious woman that gave hope to Castletree.
She smiles up at me, eyes shining with tears. “And not all who make bargains are evil.”
The thorn and snowflake tattoo on my wrist seems to sing, and I wrap my hand around it. But my doubt dissipates as I see the expression on her face. She’s looking at Farron and Dayton with pure affection. As if their happiness is her happiness.
There’s thetingof a sword as Ezryn leaps forward, blocking a charging wraith. “You alone can save us, Farron. It doesn’t matter what we say. Trust yourself!”
The wraiths have sensed us, their bodies still fleshy and fae-like. I draw my sword, stepping in front of Dayton and Farron. “We’ll protect you.”
Purple vines erupt out of the ground, roiling like waves. Rosalina shoots a look over her shoulder at Farron as the thorns swallow up three wraiths. “For the Autumn Realm.”
Farron’s eyes gleam. “For you all.” He places his hand over Dayton’s. “Let’s make a bargain.”
85
Dayton
I’venevermadeabargain before. Crazy, I know. All fae make bargains. But I never wanted to be held to anything.
But now, I know I’ll do anything to hold on to this.
Magic laces my words, and they sparkle like champagne in my mouth as I kneel down before the High Prince of Autumn.
It’s easy to make a bargain, I realize. You just speak from the heart.
“Farron, son of Autumn, I pledge my magic to you. May it always be at your disposal. May you take my power and make it yours; may I be a vessel and conduit; may you siphon my magic and let it flow through you. Through every season and every storm, may I belong to you.” Emotion claws up my throat, and I fight to keep sight of him through my blurring vision. “In return, vow to me you will never forget this moment. Who we are now. When you loved me. And when I fucking loved you.”
Farron’s face breaks in emotion, and he pulls me up, wrapping his arms around me. A turquoise light shimmers around us; the bargain magic hovering, waiting for the agreement.
Farron nods. “It’s a bargain, Day. Through every storm and every season.”
The space between us shivers and sighs. A string of gold made light bursts from Farron’s helm, and a sprig of silver from my blade does the same. They twine together, becoming corporeal, before wrapping around one of my wrists and one of Farron’s.
“Take it, Farron,” I say through gritted teeth. “Take my magic and save your people.”
He cries out, and golden light mixes with the turquoise shimmer. A strange sensation ebbs through me; not a siphoning, but a gentle trickle. IfeelFarron’s touch within me, his own magic coaxing mine out in a gentle sway.
Farron doesn’t let go of me as he whispers the spell. The incantation laces itself through the wind, a sigh upon the breeze. Autumn soldiers and Kryodian Riders slash at empty air as their enemies turn to dust and settle back into the earth.
The battlefield is silent.
