The flickering shield collapsed in a sigh of magic. I stepped forward and tilted the vial, letting a few drops fall onto the king’s pale lips. The liquid sizzled against his skin and vanished.
I stepped back.
“Why is this the last barrier?” I asked quietly, heart pounding.
Because a stasis spell can only be anchored to the living,Kaelith replied.When that life fades, so does the magic protecting it.
We were out of time. The elixir had bought us a sliver of hope—nothing more.
“Did anyone leave the castle after we entered?” I asked, scanning the room.
No,Kaelith responded.The wards at the gates were intact the moment you crossed them. No one has left since.
“The assassin is still in the castle,” I whispered.
Zander’s jaw tightened as he met my gaze. His voice was low, dangerous. “I know. The person behind this… the attack. Lady Belana’s murder. They live inside these walls.”
And we were trapped with them.
The king’s eyelids fluttered. A thin breath slipped from his cracked lips as his chest rose once, then again, steadier this time.
“Father?” Zander whispered, moving closer, kneeling beside the bed.
Emlem’s eyes opened, clouded but aware, and slowly found Zander’s face. “I am sorry… my son.” His voice was a rasp, dry and full of regret.
The door slammed open behind us. Theron strode into the chamber, flanked by his ever-present guards. Emlem’s gaze shifted to him, a flicker of fire returning to his expression.
“You will step down as prince regent,” the king said, louder now. “Dorian must take the mantle of king.”
Theron’s expression darkened. “You’re weak, Father. Delirious. You?—”
Emlem’s body jerked once in the bed, breath hitching, and then he went still, eyes fluttering shut.
“No,” Zander murmured.
Kaelith, now.
The dragon’s magic shimmered across the room like a silk veil unfurling. The barrier reformed around the king’s body, pulsing faintly, fragile but whole.
Theron turned toward us, his face tight. “The king is delirious,” he snapped. “He doesn’t know what he’s saying. I will only step down when Dorian steps up and claims the throne. And we both know he has no intention of doing that.”
He spun on his heel, but Zander caught his arm.
“You will not walk out of here and twist his words,” Zander said, voice low, deadly. “You heard him. You may not like it, but you heard it.”
Theron’s eyes narrowed. “I’ve been running this kingdom sinceMyfather got sick.”
“Then perhaps it’s time someone else did,” I said, stepping beside Zander.
Theron shook off Zander’s grip.
Zander stepped into Theron’s path, his voice cutting the air like a blade. “How do you know Dorian won’t return to the castle?”
Theron blinked, too fast. “He would have returned already if he intended to.”
“You seem awfully sure of yourself,” Zander continued, his tone deceptively calm, but I could feel the Dark Fire simmering beneath his skin. “Almost like you’ve made certain of it.”
Theron stiffened, his jaw tightening. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
