Might have succeeded if Keldarion and Caspian hadn’t shown up.
Might still succeed.
The crowd parts as the Nightingale prowls forward. A chunk of her armor is shattered, the edges crusted with ice, leaving her shoulder exposed. And there’s the slightest limp in her gait, another patch of frost around her thigh.
Though I can’t say it leaves her any less deadly.
But it’s Caspian’s gaze she fixes on, and trilling laughter echoes off her armor. “I suppose they don’t call you the Great Betrayer for nothing. Won’t be the favorite after Mother hears of this, will you, brother?”
Brother.So, this is Caspian’s sister, the one he told me about months ago in the Autumn Realm. But he doesn’t seem inclined to answer her.
“Farron is close,” I whisper.
“Even with him, there’s still too many,” Keldarion growls, reaching for his necklace. “I will not risk you. We have to retreat.”
The Nightingale hisses like a cat. “Going to run away with your new family?”
“No.” Caspian straightens. “They aren’t my family.”
He steps in front of us, violet cape catching in the night wind, and twists a palm to the sky. “But let me remind you who is.”
From his hand sprouts a green flame.
55
Caspian
Sickening green flames glow along my fingertips, and I see the flash of fear in Birdy’s eyes.That’s right, sister dear,I think.You’ve heard the rumors but never seen it, have you?
“Cas—” Keldarion grabs my shoulder, and the flames flicker out. “Are you sure about this? Last time…”
Bloody giant arrogant idiot! Always having to ruin my moment. There’s fear flashing in his eyes, too, but it’s not the same as my sister’s. Could this be fear for me? He’s not afraid for Rosalina. Perhaps somewhere deep inside his cold heart, he knows that I’dneverlet anything happen to her.
“Last time,” I snap, brushing his hand off my shoulder, “I granted your uncle his life’s purpose. He should thank me, honestly.”
Besides, I’m much more in control now. Grief, betrayal, anger … Those emotions caused more of an explosion. An explosion that caused a fissure to the deepest depths of the Below.
Thisis different.Protection.Rosalina watches me with that curious expression. Yes, this is easier to channel.
But I’d be lying if reaching for this all-consuming power again wasn’t just a tinge frightening.
“Take your legion through the portal and leave,” I tell my sister.
The Nightingale narrows her blue eyes. “Never.”
Rolling my shoulders, I smirk. “Honestly, I was kind of hoping you’d say that.”
I don’t reach for my gift of thorns or the shadows my mother passed down. No. There’s another legacy deep inside. Lying in wait. Hissing in my ear every day to bring it forth.
And every day I say no.
But not today.
I let the flames in. Power floods through my body, and every movement I make crackles with cosmic energy.
Energy not of this world.
Light floods my vision, and he appears in a flash. Grand and imposing, sitting on a massive throne with a sword of green flame and eyes the same color.
