Page 328 of Burn of the Everflame

“Teller, when this ends . . . promise me that whatever it is that makes you happy, you’ll go do it. Fuck what anyone else says or needs. For once, do something for you.”

He looked relieved, like I was setting him free of a chain that I never knew had bound him. “I will. I promise.”

I backed away, eyes burning, heart breaking. “Love you forever, little brother.”

His throat bobbed. He didn’t reply, but I didn’t need my brother’s words to feel his love. He had been there for me in a way that no one else could. When I gave up the flameroot, when I got the Lumnos Crown, when I fell for Luther, when I returned from the island . . . Teller had been the one person I never had to hide from. We’d had our fights and our secrets, as siblings do, but we’d always known that if either of us was in need, the other would never walk away.

Until today.

I gave him my back, and I tried to remind myself that this was for the best. For too long, my brother’s life had been burdened by mine. Now, he could fly.

That small comfort was enough for me to force my focus to shift. The fighting had spread too wide for me to go around, so I’d have to forge a path down the center of the battlefield, right through the war’s violent heart. Ophiucae was waiting—fate was waiting—and I was ready to face them both.

“Time to show the world what a Bellator can do,” I said, lifting the sword to my shoulders.

My instincts prickled a second too late. By the time I spotted movement in the corner of my eye, a hand was already over my mouth, and a glass vial was at my face.

“Love you too, big sister.”

A sweet, peppery smell filled my nose.

And consciousness floated away.

76

ALIXE

Archers.

Three short bursts of shadow, then one spear of light.

Fire on the back.

Runa and Enness.

One pulse of shadow, then an illusion-crafted horse.

Ride to the front.

Guardians.

Two shots of shadow, then a swarm of glowing orbs.

Bombs to the middle.

Faunos Descended.

I tensed—we hadn’t been prepared for their arrival, and they didn’t know our signals. I’d have to deliver this order myself.

I scanned the Fortos plains. “Ailani,” I shouted, “where are you?”

My voice could barely be heard over the din of battle, but the roar of a tiger pulled my focus to a pack of yellow-eyed Descended hovering near the trees. I spotted the former Faunos Queen standing in front and scowling.

“Ailani,” I called out again, riding toward her. “Send your animals to attack the group from Meros, and put your magic on the shield around the Guardians.”

Ailani didn’t move. One eyebrow lifted. “You want me to shield terrorists?”

“We’re on the same side today.”