“Have you finished?” Caspian’s voice tears me from my thoughts.
I shake my head. “Yes. Everything is in place.”
At the base of each of the huge crystals, I have planted mycelium from Nori’s mushrooms. They’ll need a spell to grow into the cracks in the stone and form a connection with each other. A connection powerful enough to siphon the energy from this place.
My spell will need to do more than bring them back to life though. I need to change their power. Instead of sucking the vitality from animals or plants, I need these mushrooms to suck magic.
“All right then!” Caspian claps his hands, the sound echoing through the chamber. “What are we waiting for? Bring this place crashing down.”
My heart thunders in my chest. Have Kel and George found their way to the prison?Are they even alive?
I can show you, Farron, Autumn-blood.
I give my head another shake. We can’t linger here. I have to do this now. “I need to say the spell.”
“So, say it.” Green light flickers off Caspian’s features, making his handsome face sharp with shadows. His chest heaves with shallow breaths, and he can’t stay still, pacing around the chamber as if he’s a beast caught in a trap.He refuses to look at the pool.
When I don’t reply, Caspian squints his eyes shut. “Say it, Farron.”
Say the word, Farron, Autumn-blood. Let me help you.
My palms are sweaty, and I wipe them on my pants before kneeling down to the earth and placing my hands on the stone floor. I shouldn’t be here. Every nerve in my body knows this place is wrong. But there’s no choice.
I’ve rewritten the spell a thousand times in my head before landing on the words that felt ancient, connected to the oldest magic of the Vale. I am High Prince of Autumn. My mate bond has awakened and thrives in my heart. My curse is broken. If anyone can create a spell, it is I.
Besides, Caspian helped me with it. He knows this place better than anyone.
“Ancient whispers and shadows deep, hear our plea, let magic seep. Draw forth its essence, let it flow, where mystic forces ebb and grow.” My voice is soft, coaxing the words to fulfill their duty.
“Louder,” Caspian growls. “This has to work.”
I clear my throat and speak with more strength: “Grown in the moon’s ashes, a hidden vale, where enchantment thrives andspirits trail. Embrace the power, let it swell, in realms unseen, where the fae may dwell.”
My words spark in the air, but there’s no magic catching, no blaze of the spell finding its mark. My throat feels too dry.
I look up at the pool. Its presence is too great. There’s too much sorrow …
Utter despair washes over me. How did we expect Kel to make it though the labyrinth? He’ll be lying dead with George beside him, the Queen left to rot in her cage forever. Stars know where Ezryn is. Probably dead too, body already white bones now. An image flashes in my mind. Dayton on his back, blood draining into the sands of the arena, body ravaged by sword and arrow.
“Say the words, Farron,” Caspian growls. “Keep going.”
But why? I can see her, screaming my name. I can’t protect her. Can’t protect my mate. Shadows erupt from the ground, wrapping around Rosalina’s arms, legs, body. Her eyes are wild as she searches for me.
There is no point for me to exist. No point left when everything we’re doing will lead to—
“Say. The. Words.” Caspian’s in front of me, his purple gaze searing. Roughly, he grabs my shirt and puts his palm flat against my heart. “Whatever strength you have left in here, find it. Do not let him in, Farron. Guard your heart with everything you have. And say the damned words.”
Stone against my palms. Green light over my skin. Caspian’s hand on my heart. His touch tethers me back to this place.
“Slumber, oh magic, in silent rest. Your essence fades, yet still, it’s blessed. Return to the depths, let the living see, and in your tranquil sleep, be free,” I utter. My words need more power, more magic.Find the strength within my heart.
I turn my gaze inward, to that place I cannot see, but only feel. There’s something within me, something precious and undiscovered …
A spark.
I gasp, then follow it further within myself. Tendrils of golden light. The bright crack of sun over the horizon, and the sparkle of a sea of stars both above and below. Something important has occurred.
Something worth fighting for.
