VAMPIREGIRL4:MOONLIGHTPRINCE
ByKARPOVKINRADE
Copyright2017
PROLOGUE
KaylaWindhelm
"Thedarknesstakesshape.Smallatfirst,thenlarger."
—AriannaSpero
Idreamoffireandpain.IdreamofDaisonandAri.Andthen,justasthe
flamesthreatentoconsumeme,heisthere.TavianGray.
Heholdsme.Andtogetherweburn.
***
Iwakegaspingforbreath,myheadcoveredinsweat.Imusthavehada
fever.Again.Toocommonnow.Sickness.Eversincethatbastard…ever
sincehe…No.Icannotthinkabouthim.Icannotthinkaboutwhat
happened.IfIdo,Iwillbreak.SoIpushawaymemoriesofLevi,memories
ofthedungeon,andIwillmyselftomove.Mylimbsareweak,battered,
crampedfromdaysinacell,butlikearustydoor,eventuallytheygiveway.
MybonespopandcrackasIsitup.Mybreathweighsheavy.Andthen,
lookingdown,Iseeit.Iseehim.
IsupposeIknewthisdaywouldcome.Idreadedit.Butnow,seeinghim
onmylap,Ican'thelpbutsmile."Hello…Riku."
Thelittlephoenixchirpsbackatme.Heisadeeppurplewithstreaksof
silver,hisfeathersmetallicinappearance.Slowly,Ibringupmyhand,move
itforwardlikeIdotocalmhorses.
Rikudoesn'tbackaway.Instead,heleansforward,intomypalm,andI
caresshisfeathers.Theyaresoft,smooth,despitetheirsolidlooks.He
seemstolikemytouch.Hekeepsrubbingagainstmyarm,soIkeeppetting
him,andhechirpsinwhatsoundslikehappiness.
Ican'thelpbutgiggle.Giggle.Me.AShadewho'sjustbeenthroughthe
worstdaysofherlife,gigglingonherbedwithatinyphoenixonherlap.
Andheistiny.Aboutthesizeofapotato,easilyfittingintomyhand.
MuchsmallerthanIimagined.
"ThemightyRiku,"Isayinmockseriousness,liftinghimuptomyface.
"Youaresocute."
Henods,beamingwithhiseyes.Amixofdeeppurpleinthecenterand
silveraroundtheedges.
IhadalwaysthoughtRikuwouldbered,maybeorange.Youknow,fire
colors.Butmyflameisinexplicablysilver.SoIsupposehematchesme.
Iforcemyselftositupevenmore.Somehow,ithurtslessnow.Perhaps
becauseofthecutebabyphoenixinmyhand.Hehopsontomyshoulder,
perchingthere,andIglanceatbothofusinapolishedsteelovalthatacts
asamakeshiftmirror.Welookquitethepair,mybluehaircomplementing
hisdeeppurples.Mypaleskinmatchinghissilver.
Mygownisasimplegreen,unlikemyverynon-simpleroom.Fen
insistedIstayinoneofthebedchambersreservedforthemostrenowned
guestswithinStonehill.It'shuge.Completewithaburningfireplaceanda
thickfurrug,bookshelveswithmorebooksthanI'veeverread,andevena
vanity!Whoneedsallthisstuff?Maybeaprincess,butI'mnoprincess.I
missmyownhome,mysmallhouseoutsidethecastle.AndhowDaison
usedto—
Ipushthoughtsofhimaway,turningtoRiku."Sohey,buddy,you
hungry?Youneedanyfood?"Ican'trememberifSpiritsneedtoeat.Itry
recallingifArieverfeedsYami,butcan'tremember.ThenIthinkofBaron.
Barondefinitelyeatsfood.
Stillcrazytothinkhe'saSpirit.WhenFentoldmeallthedetails,my
brainalmostexploded.He'dbeenhalfFaeforcenturies,butneverknew
thetruth.Howdothesethingshappen?
ItrynottopondertooheavilyasIscourmyroomforfood.Someone
leftanassortedmealofbread,cheeseandhamonmydresser.Iofferthe
hamtoRiku,buthewaveshislittlebeakatmeinaverydispleasedfashion.
SoIofferhimthebread.
Thenhechirpsanddigsin.
He'squiteimmaculate,gettingeverylittlecrumb."Goodbabyphoenix,"
Isay,pettinghimonthehead."Nowhowaboutsomewaterand—"
Footsteps.Outsidemydoor.
Myheartstops,mybreathhitching.PleasebeTavian.Iachetobewith
him.He'svisitedmyroomsincewewerefreed,butI'vebeenhalfasleep
mostofthetime,battlingfever.Today,IfeelbetterthanIhaveinages.I
needtoseehim.
Ineed—
Thedooropens.
It'snotTavian.
It'sAsher.
"Ah,IseeournewDruidhasawoken."Heclosesthedoor,adjustingthe
blacksleevesofhispristinesuit.Hisdarkhairistidy,butmessierthanusual
Asher.Iwonderifsomething'shappened.
"Canyouseehim?"Iask,raisingmyhandwithRiku.
Ashernods."Ofcourse."
"Andyou'renotsurprised?"
"WhywouldIbe?"
BecauseIhaven'ttoldanyoneI'maDruid.NotevenFen.OnlyTavian.
OnlyTavianknows.
Asherseemstonoticemypause."Ioverheardyournewfriendtalk
aboutit.Heseemsquitenice."
SoTaviantoldhim.Somehow,somethingfeelswrongabouttheidea.I
don'tknowTavianwell,butIknowhe'saprivateperson.Idon'timagine
himspillingthesecretsofothers.
"Ihadmydoubts,"saysAsher,wavinghishandsintheair."Butnow
thatyouhaveRiku,there'snodenyingit."
Idropmyeyes,sighing."No.Isupposethereisn't."
"Comemydear,"saysAsher,puttingafingerundermychin."Thisis
goodnews.WehavethreeDruidsonoursidenow.AndtheMidnightStar.
Leviwon'tchallengeusagain."
Iknowhe'stryingtocheermeup,butatthementionofLeviIfeelsick.I
bendover,tryingnottovomit,butpreparingforitallthesame.
Rikuchirpssoothinglyinmyear,andithelpsabit.
"Iknowitcanbe…hard,"continuesAsher,"havingresponsibilitythrust
uponyou.Evenifyouareraisedtorule,theideaofrulingandtheactof
rulingaretwoverydifferentthings.AsaDruid,youhaveadutytoyour
people.Maybenotasasupremeruler,butasaguide.Amentor."Helooks
away,intotheflamesofthefireplace,hisvoicesoft."Ifeelmuchthe
same."
ThereissomethingaboutAshertoday.AdepthIhavenotseenbefore.
Orperhaps,Iamsimplynoticingalackofwit.Heseemsmoreseriousthan
usual.
"Idon'tbelievetheothersknowyet,"saysAsher."Thatyou'reaDruid.
Ifyouwish,Icouldkeepthesecretawhilelonger."
"Yes,"Isay,suddenlyfeelingbetterandstandingstraighter."That
wouldbenice.UntilI'mreadytotellthemonmyown."
"Verywell.Nowtoimportantmatters."Heleansin,sniffingatmy
gown,thenpullsbackrepulsed."Youmusttakeabath."
***
Ionlyrunintoservantsonmywaytothebathhouseandnoneseemto
noticeRiku.Hemustbestayinghidden,invisible.Dimlightshinesthrough
thehallwaywindows.Itmustbeveryearly.Explainsthelackofpeople.
WhenIenterthebathchamber,Iamalone,inneardarkness,thewatera
paleblue.
Well.I'malmostalone.ThereisRikuafterall.
Islipoffmygownandenterthewater.It'swarm,soothingtomyaching
joints.Aslightsteamhoversonitssurface,theheatbattlingthecoldair.I
sighandleanbackagainstthebathwalls,closingmyeyesandlettingmy
stressmeltaway.
"Hello,Princess."
Irecognizehisvoiceinstantly.Deepandwarmandgravelly.
TavianGray,tall,muscledandnakedstandsaboveme.
IthinkI…well…IthinkIforgethowtothink.
Thenhesmiles.
Andmymindstartstowander.TothingsIcoulddotothosemuscles,
thoselips…
ThenTavianjumpsinthepool,splashingmewithwaterandbreaking
mywonderfuldream.
Ilaughandsplashhimback.
BeforeIcanfullyexactmyrevenge,hegrabsmyarms,pinsthemdown,
andpresseshisrockhardbodyagainstmine.Hisheartbeatsintimewith
myown.Hisbreathticklesmyskin.Hisscentisthatofstoneandwoodand
fire.Irunahanddownhischest,studyingeveryinchofhisbeing,
memorizinghimasbestIcan.SoImayneverletgoofthismoment.SoIcan
holdontoitforever.
"Imissedyou,"Iwhisper,ourlipsclose.Oh,soclose…
"Thatisgood."Heplaceshismouthagainstmyneck,kissingmyskin
gentlyoverandover."Otherwise,Iwouldhavestayedfornothing."
Herecoveredfasterthanme,somehow.Irememberhimbymybedside
asIstruggledtolive.Heseemedfinethen.Heseemsfinenow.
"Whatareyou,TavianGray?"Iask,runningmyhandthroughhisthick
brownhair.
"YouknowwhoIam—"
Iyankonhishair.Justhardenough.
Heinhalesdeeply,grinning."Iammanythings.Rightnow,foremost,I
amyourfriend."
"Justafriend?"Iask,bitingmylip.
"Well,maybeIamaspecialfriend."
Itouchhisfacewithmyhands,tracinghissharpcheekbones,hissturdy
chin.
Thenhetakesmyfaceintohispalmsandpullsmecloser.Closer.Closer.
Untilourlipstouch.
UntilIfeelhistasteonmytongue.
Itseemsforever,untilwepart.
"Mmm,"Isay,stillrememberinghimonmylips.
Hechuckles."Mmmisright."Thenheputsahandonmychin,his
fingersroughandstrong.Hetiltsmyfaceuntiloureyesmeet."Iwill
rememberthis,myprincess.Iwillrememberthisforalltime."
Thereissomethingtohiswords.Asadness.
AndIrealizewhattheymean.
"You'releaving,aren'tyou?"
Hedoesn'tlookawaythen.Ithinkalessermanwould.Buthedoesnot.
"Yes.Thisisnotmyworld.Notmyplace.Iamatraveler.Andsoon,Imust
travelagain."
Igrabhishand,holdingittightly,sotightlyIfearIhurthim,butIdon't
care."Icangowithyou."
"YouareaDruid,"hesaysglancingovermyshoulder.AndIrealizehe
canseeRikustandingthere."Whereyougo,Faewillfollow.Theywillseek
yourguidance,yourleadership."Hepauses,finallylookingaway,looking
intothedeepbluewater."Iamnoleader.Iamnopersontofollow."
Ishakemyhead,tearswellinginmyeyes."Why?Whydoyouinsiston
beingalone?"
"I…"Hepauses."Doyoureallywishtoknow?"
Inod,steelingmyselfforwhatistocome."Ido."
"Thenstaywithmetonight,"hesays,frowning."Thememories,they
areworsethanusualtoday.Staywithme,andyouwillsee.Thenyouwill
understand."
Igriphishandeventighter."Iwillstaywithyou.Showme."
***
Wespendthedaytogether,butitisnotahappyaffair.Nottruly.Tavian
seemslost,buriedinhismemories.WhileIeatravenously,hebarely
toucheshisfood.WhileIwalkwithajumptomystep,helagsbehind.
WhenIaskhimwhat'swrong,"Youwillsee,"isallhesays.
ItrytofindFen,butKeeperKal'HalleninformsmeheandDeanareout
searchingforAri.Theyshouldbebacktomorrow.
IwishIcouldbeoutthere,lookingformyfriend.ButIamstilltooweak.
Soon,though.Ipromise.Soon.
"Sheisverydeartoyou,"Tavianremarksaswewalkthegardensinfur
cloaks.
"Yes,"Isay,thinkingofArianna."Sheislikeasister.AsisterIlove."
Henods,notsayinganymore.
Whennightfalls,heescortsmetoashackattheoutskirtsofthecity—a
placeIthoughtabandoned.Heseemstohavemadeahomehere.Thick
rugscoverthefloorandthefireplaceisstockedwithwood.Hesetsit
burning,andwecuddlebytheflames,warmingeachother.
Idonotknowhowlongwestaylikethis.Together.Holdingeachother.
Butatsomepoint,Tavianpullsaway."ItistimeIslept."Hewalksover
tothecorner,acold,dampplace.Hegrabssomethingthereandtossesitat
myfeet.Asword.
"Whatisthis?"Iask,nottouchingtheblade.
"Youmayneedit,"hesays.
"Why?"
Hesaysnothing,layingdownhisfurrobeandmakingabedforhimself.
"I'veseenyousleepbefore,"Isay."Whenwetraveled."
"Notallnightsareequal."Hesoundstired,beaten.Heliesdownonthe
fursandcloseshiseyes."Goodnight,Princess."
"Goodnight…"
Hesaysnomore.
Hourspass.Nothing.Nothingbutamansleepingpeacefully.Ifetch
morewoodforthefire.Keepitburningtostaywarm.
Itissometimedeepinthenight,sometimewhenthemoonsarehigh,
thatTavianbeginstotremble.Itstartswithamurmur,awhisperIdonot
understand.Hemumbles,louder,thenlouder,inalanguageIdonotknow.
Hishandsstarttoshakeathiswords.Hisheadjerksbackandforth.He
seemstobecalling.Callingtosomeone.Yelling.Yellingawarning.
Itisthenthewindbeginstostir.Ithowlsaroundmethoughall
windowsareshut.Itchillsmedespitetheburningfire.Thelightsbeginto
dim.Ashadowfallsovertheroom.
Ihaveseenthisbefore.WhenTavianthreatenedMetsi.WhenTavian
foughttheraiders.
Butnowithappensashesleeps.
Heshakesandspasms,cryingout.Screaming.
Thundercrashes.
ButIseenolightning.Nostormoutside.
Thunderagain.Thetempestishere.Inthisroom.Thestormswirls
aroundhim.
Aflashoflight.
Another.
Theyblindme.
Butinbetweentheflashes,Icatchglimpses.
Tavian.
Different.
Hisskindarker.
Darker.
Black.
Whitestripesuponhisbody.
Hismouthtwistsunnaturally,opening,andheroars,tearingtheairwith
hisvoice.
Histeetharefartoolong,fartoosharp.
Heismorebeastthanmannow.
Whatishappening?
Rikuscreechesinterror,quiveringonmyshoulder.
Tavianroarsagain,anditisasoundofagony,suchterribleagony.
Irushforward,wantingtoshakehim,towakehim,tomakeitstop.
Butsomethingstopsme.Afeeling.Afeelingthatthismustpassonits
own.
Iholdback.Thougheverypartofmewishestohelp.Iholdback.
Anotherflash.
Andthefiregoesout.Darknessenvelopstheroom.Darknessand
silence.Asilencesostrongitchills.
AndthenIhearit.Feelit.
Hisbreathagainstmyskin.Theheavybreathofabeast.
Heisinfrontofme.
Icannotseehim.ButIknowheisthere.
Apredatorbeforehisprey.
Ilookforthesword,butcanseenothinginthedarkness.Isearchwith
myhands,butfindnothing.
Thebreathisstilluponme.Hot.Loud.
Somethinggrowlsinthedarkness.
Myfingersfindpurchase.Thesword.Iholditup.
Don'tmakemedothis.Don'tmakemedothis.
Somethinglunges.Lungesformythroat.
Idrivetheswordforward.
Andasquicklyasthedarknesscame,itwithdraws.
Theflamesreturn,flickering.
Andbeforeme,IseeTaviancoveredinsweat,shakingonthefloor,
bleedingfromhisshoulder.
"No,"Ifalltomyknees,pullinghimtome,holdingmetight."I'msorry.
I'msosorry."
Heletshisheadfallback,fallbacksoweareeyetoeye.AndIseeitis
himagain,therealhim."Itoldyou,Princess,"hesays,hisvoicearaspy
whisper."ItoldyouImustgo."
Myhandsshake.Myeyesfillwithtears.Itearawayapieceofmygown
andwrapitaroundhisbleedingshoulder.Thewoundisnotdeep,thankthe
Spirits."Whathappened?"IaskasIwork,myvoicetrembling.
"YourememberwhatItoldyou?HowIsummonedtheDarkness?HowI
watcheditkillmyfamily?Thereissomethingelse."Heclencheshisjaw,
everywordacleareffort."TheDarknesssparedthosewhoperformedthe
ritualfromdeath.Butitdidnotspareusentirely.Acurseitplaceduponus.
Acurse…"
Hereachesforsomething.Thetable.Water.Hemustwantwater.I
rush,grabbingacupandputtingittohislips.Hedrinks.
Icaresshishairsoftly,waiting.Whenheisdone,Itakebackthecup.
"Whatisyourcurse?"Iask.
"Icannotforget,"hesays."Icannotforgetanything.TheDarkness
consumingmywife.Thescreamsofmychildrenastheydied.Iremember
allofit.Everysingledetail.EverysingledetailIhaveeverfelt."
"Whatdoyoumean?"Iask,frowning,feelinghispain.
Heclearshisthroat,raisinghisvoice."Doyourememberthelasttime
youtouchedhotiron?Thelasttimeyouburnedyourhand?Doyou
rememberhowittrulyfelt?Thepain?"
"No,"Isay,realizingwhathemeans.Icanrecallapartofthepain,but
onlyapart.
"Iremembereverything,"hesays."Everycut.Everyburn."
"Thatis…Thatis…"
"Horrible?"Hesmilesforamoment."Imagineifwomencould
rememberchildbirth.Iftheycouldremembereverydetail.Hadtolivewith
iteveryday."
"Itwoulddriveonemad,"Isay,sippingsomeofthewatermyself.
"Itwould,wouldn'tit?"Hepauses."Mosttimes,Icandistractmyself
withthepresent.Butthepastisalwaysthere,alwaysbymyside,haunting
me.Mockingmewitheverymistake.Everytragedy.Foratime,Icanignore
itscall.Butsomedaysitishardernottolisten.Andthen…thenIlivein
agony."
"I'msosorry,"Isay,tearsrunningdownmycheek."I'msosorry."
Heraisesaneyebrow,seeminglypuzzled."Itisnotyourfault,Princess.
Itismyownburden.Aburdenwelldeserved."
"Noonedeservessuchafate."
Heshakeshishead."Ifyoucouldknowhowmyfamilysuffered,ifyou
couldknowasIknow,youwouldnotagree."Hetriestopushmeaway.
Idon'tlethim.Iholdhimtighter."Butyoudidn'tintendtoharmthem."
"No.No,Ididn't.ButImuststillpayforwhatIdid.ForthefoolIwas."
Hepushesmeawaythen,strongerthanIexpected.Ifallback,wiping
mytears,RikuchirpingintomyearasTaviangrabshisbelongings.Hewraps
hiscloakaroundhisshouldersandheadstoopenthedoor.
Hepauses,holdingthehandle."Iwillleavetomorrow.Itisbest.Bestfor
metotravelalone.And…IwillnottellanyoneaboutRiku.Aboutwhatyou
trulyare.Thatisyourburdentobear."
Withthatheopensthedoorandleaves.
Asharpcoldwindhitsme,andIwrapmyselfinthefurrug.Tavian'srug.
Itsmellsofhim.AndIholditclose.Weeping.Weepingforwhatcouldhave
been.
Itishourslater,nearday,whenIrememberwhatTaviansaid.Whathe
trulysaid.IwillnottellanyoneaboutRiku.Aboutwhatyoutrulyare.Thatis
yourburdentobear.
Yourburden.Yourburden.Yourburden…
IfTaviankeptmysecret,thenhowdidAsherknow?Howdidheknow?
Igrabmyfurcloakandrunoutintothecoldwinterair.Irunbacktothe
castle.There,inanemptyhallway,IfindAsher.Despitethehour,heis
awake,andhewalkswithapurpose.
Istayintheshadow,trailinghimthroughwindingpathwaysanddoors.
Once,Icloseadoortooloudly,andAsherglancesback.Ifreeze,
slippingawayintoacorner.Asherlooksaround,thenshrugsandcontinues
on.
Ifollowmorecarefully.Riku,fortunately,doesn'tmakeasound.
Heknowssomethingiswronghere.Somethingwemustuncover.
Asherstopsinthemiddleofahall,peeksaroundoverhisshoulder,
thenpushessomethingonthewall.Astone.
Agroanechoesthroughfloor,andapieceofthewallslidesaway.A
secretdoor?
IthoughtIknewthepassages.Fenshowedmeallofthem.
Butthis.ThisisnotoneIknowof.
Asherentersthenewdoor,disappearingfromsight.
Whatishedoing?Meetingsomeone?
Oh,Asher,pleasedon'tbeatraitor.Please.
Iclenchmyjawandfollow,hopingforthebest,dreadingtheworst.I
followthroughthesecretdoor,downstepsleadingdeepintotheearth.
Leadingtoachambershroudedindarkness,litonlyabyafewtorches
castingsinistershadows.Behindacorner,IwatchasAshergrabssomething
fromthefloor.Atrayoffood.
Hecarriesitforward.Tosomethinginthecenteroftheroom.
No.Notsomething.Someone.Aman,bloodyandbruised.Onhisknees.
Hishandoutstretched,boundinchains.
Iwhisperanincantation,enhancingmynightvision.AndthenIseethe
prisoner'sface.
This…thisdoesn'tmakeanysense.
Theprisoner…theprisonerisAsher?
Theman,theprisoner,looksup,andhegrins."Noonefigureyouout
yet?Bloodymarvelous.MeansIstillgettobetheonewhokillsyou."
ItsuresoundslikeAsher.Thevoice.Theinflections.Eventhecockywit.
TheotherAsher,theonestanding,laughs.Itisnothisvoice.No.It's
deepernow.Darker.Familiar.
Myguttwists.Myhandstremble.Itcan'tbe…
TheotherAsherwaveshishand,andhisformshimmers,changes.And
therehestands.
Myfather.
Lucian.
Despitemyself,memoriesflashthroughmymind.Memoriesofmy
motherescortingmetoHighCastle.Myfirsttripthere.Waitingforhoursin
thehall.Hourstoseetheking.Gettingourchance.Walkinguptothegreat
kinginfrontofhundredsofpeople.Oh,howmightyhelooked.Howgrand.
Darkhairwithonlystreaksofgray.Blackarmorcoveringhisbodylike
dragonscales.Amightyswordbyhisthrone,surelytoobigforanynormal
man.Mymotherpushedmeforwardtostandbeforehim."Thisisyour
daughter,"shesaid.
Thekinglookedatmethen.Once.Onlyoncehelooked.
"Myonlydaughterisdead,"hesaid.
But,whatdidhemean?Icouldnotunderstand.Iwashisdaughter,and
Iwassurelynotdead.Hewasmyfather.Father'stakecareoftheir
children.Theyembracethem.Tellthemwordsofwisdom.
Butthekingdidnotmovetotouchme.Hedidnotspeaktosharewith
meastory.Instead,hewavedhishandinagesture,andmymotherpushed
metomoveoutoftheway.Ididnotwishtomove.Iwishedtostay.Totalk
withfather.Butmymotherpushedmemore."Please,"shewhispered.
"Beforetheguardsnotice."
Ilethermovemethen,movemebackintothecrowd.Ihadseenthe
guards.Bigmeninscaryhelmetsthatlookedlikebeasts.Ididnotwant
thosementonoticeme.SoIwentbacktothecrowd,andthenIwent
home.Ididnotseemyfatheragain.Notforalongtime.
ButIseehimnow.
Hestandsbeforeme.
Laughing.
LaughingattherealAsher.
He'sbeenimpersonatinghim.Usingillusionfor…whoknowshowlong.
IoncethoughtLuciandead.Gone.Buthelives.Hekeepsmyhalf-
brotherprisoner.Idon'tknowwhatgameheplays,butIknowitisnot
good.Lucianwas…is…nevergood.
"What'ssofunny?"asksAsher.TherealAsher.
Lucianstopschuckling,adjustinghisredcape."Youraudacity,myson.
Youalwaysweresofullofyourself,soproud."
"Ha,ha,ha,"Ashersaysinmocklaughter."ThePrinceofPrideis
prideful.Ohfather,youtrulyarehilarious.Pleasetellme,whatwasyour
curseagain?Badjokes?"
Somethingchangesthen.
Luciangrowsstill.Cold.ThisisthemanIknow.ThemanIsawthatday
incourt.
"Iwishwecouldchatmore,myson,"saystheking,hisvoiceplain,
bereftofemotion,"butwearebeingrude.Yousee,wehaveaguest."
Aguest?
Ifreeze.
Hemeansme.
Lucianturns,facingme.Andhesmiles."Oh,Kayla,Kayla,rightontime."
Whatdoeshemean?
"Comenow,"saysLucian."Comeoutoftheshadows."
Idoashesays,notbecausehesaysit.ButbecausethiswayIcanraise
mysword.Raisemyswordandpointitstraightathisheart."Lethimgo."
"Notyet.Thetimeisnotright.Butsoon.Ipromise."
"No!"Iyell,steppingforward.Idon'tknowmyplan.Idon'thaveone.I
can'tfightLucian.Butmaybe,withRikuatmyside,maybeIstanda
chance…
"Youwon'tneedthatthing,"saystheking,gesturingatmyblade.
"Don'tyousee,youarehereforareason.Noone.Noonehasuncovered
thetruth.NooneknowsIhavebeenimpersonatingaprince.Noonebut
you.Afilthyhalf-breedwench.Whyisthat?"
"Becauseyouletme,"Isay,realizingthetruth."YouliedaboutTavian
onpurpose.Youledmehere."
"Hmm,"saysLucian,nodding."PerhapsyouaresmarterthanIthought.
Smarterthanyourwhoremother,anyway."
"Don'ttalkabouther,"Ihiss."Don'tyoudare!"
Heshrugs.That'sall?Ashrug?
"HowdidyouknowIwasaDruid?"Iask,studyingtheroom.Lookingfor
otherexits.LookingforawaytofreeAsher.
"ItisaskillIhavelearned,"saysLucian,"tosensepowerinothers.Your
Spiritisstrong.Eversincewerescuedyoufromthedungeon,Iknewwhat
youwere.Yourpotential."
"Doyou?Really?"Iraisemyfreehand,anditlightswithsilverflame.
"ThenyouknowwhatIcandotoyou.LetAshergo.Now.OrIburnyou
untilthereisnothingbutash."
Asher'seyesgowide."Kayla.Kaylayoucan't—"
Lucianslapshimacrosstheface."Quiet.Letthehalf-breedplayher
games.Itwillbeallthebetterwhensheloses."
Asherdropshishead.Heseemsbarelyconscious.
I'mtiredofthistalk.OfLucian'sinsults.I'vecarriedalifetimeofhatefor
thisman.AndnowIunleashit.
Ichargeforward,andRikulaunchesintotheair.Hiswingsburnbright
withflame.Likeanarrow,hefliesforLucian.
Butthekingistooquick.Hestepstotheside,avoidingtheflames,and
hedashesforward.Atme.
Ourbladesclash.
Andinaninstant,itisover.
Myswordfallstothefloor.
Hedisarmedme.Idonotevenknowhow.Hemovessofast.It's
impossible.
He—
Luciankicksmeinthegut,andIfall,clutchingmystomach.Ispitand
bloodfliesfrommymouth,stainingthecoldstones.
Rikuscreechesinfuryandstrikes,clawsreachingforLucian'sface.
Thekinggrabsthephoenixmidair.Holdshimbytheneck.
"No,"Itrytoyell,butitcomesoutaweakwhimper.
Rikuchirpsinterror,thrashing,butLuciandoesnotletgo.Heseems
unaffectedbytheburningfeathers.Maybehisarmorprotectshim.Maybe
hetrulyfeelsnopain.
"Silverflame,"hesays,hiseyeswidewithawe."Therehasn'tbeena
silverflameforages.NotaccordingtotheancientFaetexts.Youtrulyare
special."HelooksatRikuwithpleasure.Withgreed.
"Lethimgo!"Withthelastofmystrength,Ijumpup,grabmysword
andstrikeathisarm.
Lucianblockswithonehand.It'sallheneeds.Hesmacksthebluntof
hisbladeagainstmyfingers,crushingthem,andIdropmybladeagain.Any
energyIhadleavesme,andIfalltomyknees,crying,pleading."Pleaselet
himgo.Lethimgo."
IcannotstandthepainRikuisin.Theterror.Itismypain.Myterror.
Lucianpullssomethingfromhisredcloak.Agreystone.Heholdsitup
andwhisperssomethingunderhisbreath.WordsIdonotunderstand.
WordslikeTavianmumbledinhissleep.
Rikuscreechesagain.Louder.Asoundoftruehorror.
Something.Somethingishappening.
Rikubecomesmoreflamethanbird.Hisscreamsfade.Theydieout.
Andthennothingisleft.Nothingbutsilversmoke.
Itflowsintothegreystone,changesit.Turnsitadeeppurplewith
streaksofsilver.
"Whathaveyoudonetohim?"Iscream,mybodyshakingwithterror
andrage.
"Shhh,"saysLucian,caressingthestone."Donotworry,mydear.Rikuis
safe.Safeandwell."
He'sinthestone.ThebastardputRikuinthestone."Whatdoyouwant
withhim?"
"Ineedhishelp.Andthenhewillbefree.Iswear."Hesmilesatme.
Ispitathisface.
Thephlegmdoesn'treachhim.ButIdon'tcare.
Lucianjustshakeshishead.Astrangedisappointmentinhiseyes.
"Whatnow?"Iask."Chainmeupjustlikeyoudidyourson?"
Heraisesaneyebrow,thensitsdowntomylevel."Ohno,there'sno
reasonforthat.No,Ihaveafarsimplersolution."Hepullssomethingfrom
hiscloak.Avial.Apotion.
No.Notagain.I'mnottakingsomethingagain.
"Don'tbeafraid,mydear.Thiswillsimplymakeyousleep.Adeep,
beautifulsleep.Yourfriendswillthinkthefeverbrokeyou,thatLevi's
torturesandpoisonsputyouintoacomaintheend.Theywilltrytohelp
you,butnothingwillwork."
Ileanback."No.Please."
Hedoesn'tlookintomyeyes.Hedoesn'tseemtohear."Butyouwill
wake.Oneday.Whenthetimeisright.WhenIhaveneedofyou."
"No.Please—"
Hegrabsmyjaw.Itrytokeepitclosed,buthepriesitopen.Stuffsthe
vialdownmythroat.Theliquidpoursdown,coatingmytonguewith
bitterness.Itrynottoswallow,butit'sgaggingme.Gaggingmeuntilmy
musclesreactagainstmywill.Mymindbeginstofade.Myvisionblurs.His
isthelastfaceIsee.Thefaceofmyfather.
"Good,"hewhispers."Good."
Chapter1
BLEEDFORME
"Sometimeswolvescomeinsheep'sclothing."
—FenrisVane
Theywon'tkillme.Atleastnotyet.Asfaraswordsofconsolationgo,
theseareprettypathetic,butthey'reallIhave.They'rethewordsIwhisper
tomyselfwhenMetsicomesineachmorningtoadministermydoseof
prenatalherbsbyhavingherlackeyforcemyjawopenasshepoursthe
bitterliquiddownmythroat.They'rethewordsIusetoquietmymindat
nightwhenIamleftalonesaveforthesoundofthewindandwildanimals
outsidemybarredwindow.They'rethewordsIthinktomyselfeach
morningwhenIlurchoutofbedtovomitupmymorningsicknessintoa
pailtheyleftforme.Idon'tknowifthisiscausedbymypregnancy,orby
theherbsMetsigivesme—buteachdayIfeelworse.
Itonlytookaweekforthesewordstoreplacedumspirosperoinmy
mind.Istillhavehope,deepdown,buriedwheremymagicnowlays
dormant.Ihavetriedtocastspells,butmymagicisadeadthinginsideme,
therebutuseless.They'veplacedwardsonmyroomtoensureIcannotuse
magic,anditworks.
It'snotafancyroom,butit'snotadungeon.Sothere'sthat.Ihavea
smallmattressonthefloorthat'scleanandwarm.Aroominwhichto
batheandrelievemyself.AndthreechangesofclothessothatIdon'tstink.
Andthere'sonewindow,alwaysleftopen,butbarredwithleadtokeepme
fromescaping.Mydoorisalwayslocked.Therearenodecorations.Nothing
tooccupymymindsavetheoccasionalbookMetsibringsintoletme
read—mostlyverydrybooksaboutthehistoryoftheFae.
EachdayIgetawalktokeepthebabyhealthy.Thewalkinvolves
followingMetsiandherguarddowntothedungeons,whereIendurean
hourofwatchingthemtortureLevi.
AsIsitandwatchrightnow,mystomachclenchesandbilerisesinmy
throat.Itissuffocatinglyhotdownhere,withnoventilationandfires
burningthatsmellofflesh.Theairisacridandstaleandreeksofblood,
sweatandexcrement.IcannotcontrolmyvomitingwhenI'mdownhere,
soMetsihandsmeabucket,butrefusestoallowmetogobacktomy
room.
"Iwouldthinkyouwouldenjoywatchingthismonstersuffer,"Metsi
says,holdingupaknife,thetipredhotfromthefireshehelditin."After
all,didyounotsufferathishands?Didyounotseetheeffectsofwhathe
didtoyourfriendKayla?Tothepeopleyouclaimtolove?Heisgetting
nothinglessthanwhathedeserves."
Hernextwordsaredrownedoutbythescreaming.Levinolongerlooks
likeaman,butratherlikeacharred,skinnedwildthingthatjustwantsto
beputoutofitsmisery.
AndMetsi'snotentirelywrong.TherewasatimeIwouldhavepaidto
seeLevigethiscomeuppance.AtimeIwouldhavevolunteeredtoexact
justicefromhisflesh.Apoundforapound.ButIdidn'tknowwhatIknow
now.Ididn'tknowthatseeingsomeonetortured,seeingsomeonesuffer
beyondmeasure,takesitstollonyoursoul,nomatterwhatthatpersondid
todeserveit.Ididn'tknowhowvileitwouldfeeltowatchwhatIamnow
forcedtowatch.
Today,afterMetsiisdonewithLevi,sheturnstomewithacruelsmile.
"Ihavesomethingtotakecareof,butsinceyouareundercontractto
spendtimewitheachoftheprinces,I'llleaveyoutwoalonetobond.
Consideritqualitytimewiththismonth'smonster."
Wearenotleftaloneofcourse.Twoarmedguardsarestationedonthe
othersideofthedoor.Butwearealoneenough.Morealonethanwe've
beeninalongtime.
Oneofhiseyesisswollenshutbyanuglybruise.Hisothereyeis
bloodshot.Therearepiecesofskinmissingfromhisbody,andburnsthat
arefestering.Onthetablenexttohimsitsavarietyoftorturedevices,as
wellasacupofhumanblood,tohelphimhealinsmallincrements,just
enoughtowoundhimagain.
Idon'tthinkthey'velethimsleepsincewe'vearrived,thoughhehas
likelypassedoutforshortperiods.
Ihavenoideawhattosaytohim.Ihatehim.Loathehim.WhenIthink
ofthethingshe'sdonetome,tomyfriends,tomypeople,Ifeelaballof
ragetwistinginmygut,fightingforspacewiththeinexplicablelifethatnow
growsinsideofme.Butseeinghimsuffermakesmewanttohelp.Toheal.
Tofix.Ofcourse,Ican'tdothateither.There'snothingIcandotoeasehis
suffering,evenifIwishedto.SoIsit.Andwait.
"You'renext,"hesaysthroughamouthfulofblood.
"What?"
"You'renext.Whatthey'redoingtome,they'lldotoyou."
Ishakemyhead."Theyneedmetoomuch,"Iremindhim."Theydon't
needyou."
Hislipscurlupinagrotesquesmilethat'sfilledwithcrueltyevenstill.
"Theyneedwhat'sinyourwomb,notyou."
"Pregnanciestaketime,"Isay."I'llfindawayoutofthisbythen."
ThefirstthingIdidwhenIhadamomentalone,rightaftermycapture,
wassummonFenwithmybloodandhisdemonmark.Butifthemagic
worked—whichisdoubtfulgiventhewards—hehasnotcome.Ormaybe
can'tcome.IhavenoideawhatbecameofhimandtheothersonceIwas
captured.Icanonlyhopeandpraytheyaresafe.AndEsandPete,mygod,I
broughtthemintothismessedupworldandleftthemstrandedhere.And
there'snothingIcandoaboutanyofituntilIfindawaytoescape.
Iplaceahandonmystomach,somethingI'vebeendoingalotoflately.
It'shardtothinkaboutthisbaby.TothinkthatitbelongstomeandFen.In
myworld,Iwouldn'tevenknowI'mpregnantyet,butmagichasperks,and
oneofthemisapparentlyearlypregnancydetection.
"YouthinkIdeservethis,don'tyou?"saysLevi,hisheadhanginglow,
buteyesfixedonme."Youthinkthisisjustice?"
Idon'tsayanything.Iwon'tgivehimmypity.
"Therewasatime,youknow,"continuesLevi,"atimewhenIwasno
dangertoanyone.Iwasbutaboy,brightandeagertolearn.Buttheworld
tookthatboyandforgedhimintoaharshman.Itdidn'thavetobethat
way,butitwas."Hepauses,glaringintothefireplaceburningwithinthe
stones.
"Istillremember,backintheSilverGardens,backwhenmotherand
fatherstilllived.Irememberbeinglost.YoungerthanNiamandZeb,but
olderthanDean,AceandAsher.Somehow,myolderbrotherswerepraised
forbeingwiseandmature,myyoungeronesforbeingspiritedand
youthful,andyetIwasnotpraisedatall.Ididn'tletitdetermethough,no,
notatfirst.Itookhardtomystudies,excelinginmyclassesandimpressing
mytutors.Igrewfoundofsmithingespecially,andtoiledlonghoursto
perfectthecraft.Whentestingcame,Iworkedforweeksonablade,
pouringmyambitionsanddreamsintothesteel.Golditwas,witha
sapphireintheguard.Lightbringer,Icalledit.Andwhenitwasfinallydone,
Itookittomyfather,eagertoimpresshimforonce.Heglancedatthe
bladeandlaughed.'OhLevi,youcouldn'tpossiblymakesuchablade,'he
said.'Tellme,who'dyoustealitfrom?'Iarguedwithhim.Toldhimittruly
wasmywork.Buthejustlaughedoncemoreandleftformoreimportant
matters.Itookthebladebacktotheforgethenandbashedituntilit
shattered.Ididn'tforgeagain."
Heturnshisfacebacktome."Whenthenexttestingcame,Ididasmy
fatherexpected.Istoletheproject,ahandmadecloak,fromAceand
passeditoffasmyown.Myfathercongratulatedmemorethanhedid
before."Hechuckles,thenhiseyesgrowdarker."AceandIfoughtafter
that,butnotforlong.Heforgaveme,thoughhehadnoreason.Hejust…
did."
Hepausesmuchlongerthistime.
Icrossmyarms."Sowhat?I'msupposedtoforgiveyou?Isthatthe
pointofthisstory?PoorLevihadonebadthinghappentohim,andinstead
ofworkinghardertoproveotherswrong,hejustdidwhattheyexpected
andturnedbad?Well,boohoo.Weallhavecraptodealwith.Atleastyou
havebrotherswhocareforyou—"
"Youthinktheycareforme?"Heflipsbackhisheadandlaughs.
"Really?YouthinkNiamsideswithmebecausehecaresaboutpoorold
Levi?No,Princess.Hesideswithmebecauseoftheopportunitieshesees
forhisowngain.Theschemesheplotstoundercutme.Andwhoelsedo
youthinkcaresforme?Zeb,perhaps?Oh,no,Zebdoesashepleases,dear
Princess.Sometimeshehelps,andothertimeshestabsintheback.For
centuries,he'sdartedbackandforthbetweenmeandAsher,andhewill
flipsidesonceagain.Infact…I'mnotsurewhohesupportsevennow.Do
youknow,Princess?Areyousure?"
Istaysilent,becausehe'snotwrong.Idon'tknowwhoZebsupports.I
don'tevenknowifhevotedforFenandmetodie,orifhetriedtosaveus.
Levigrinsatmysilence,thencontinues."AndIhopeyouhaveno
illusionsaboutAsherandFen.Theydespiseme,Icanassureyou."
"Onlybecauseyou'vemadeitso,"Isay."Onlybecauseyoubetrayand
hurtthemeverychancepossible."
"Likewhen?"Helooksup,asifhe'stryingtoremembersomething.
"LikewhenIwitnessedthePresenting?TheoneDeanandAsherjoinedin
aswell?Iunderstanditwashardforyou,Princess,butyoumust
understandsuchthingsarenotrareinInferna.Slavesarepresentedallthe
time,evenfreemensometimes,iftheyarelookingforparticularwork.You
mayfindthecustomdisgusting,butmybrothersdonot,Iassureyou.Well,
perhapssaveFen.Heisanoddone.
"Now,letmesee,whatelse?Oh,perhapsIbetrayedthemwhenwe
wenttobattlewiththeFae?No,wait.Idon'tbelievethat'sright.IbelieveI
foughtattheirside,whileyouhidthefactthatyouweretheMidnightStar,
thefactthatyouhadreturnedtheDruidsfromtheirslumber.
"OrperhapsyourefertothetimewhenIthreatenedyou.WhenIsaw
whatyoutrulywere,andItriedtoendyourlife.WhenItriedtostopthe
warandsavethelivesofallinInferna.EventhelivesofinnocentFae.
"OrperhapsyourefertothetimewhenI—alongwithfiveotherPrinces
ofHell—sentencedyouandFentodeath,theMidnightStarwhobrought
ruinuponmypeopleandtheEarthDruidwhohadslainourfather."
Hepullsonhischainsinrage."Imayhavethreatenedyou,Princess,
hurtyoueven.ButIhaveneverbetrayedmybrothers."
I…Idon'tknowwhattosay.Hehashurtme,nearlykilledme,andI
alwaysassumedhehaddoneworsetoothers…butIhaveneverseenhim
doharmtohisbrothers.Neverevenseenhimactalone.IforgetthatDean
andAsherwerepartofthePresenting,evenperipherally.Iforgettheywere
partoftheCouncilwhovotedformydeath.
Thisisacruelworld.Ihaveletmyselfforget,butnolonger.BeforeI
camehere,Ihadneverkilledanyone,neverbeentakencaptiveorseen
otherstortured.NowIhaveenduredallthesethings.AndIknowIwill
enduremore.
Levihasdoneterriblethings,butwhatofme?
Ihavekilled.
Ihavelied.
Ihaveruined.
Myveryexistencecauseschaosanddisorder.Myverypresencebrings
deathandpain.
"Thereisawaytoescape,youknow,"Leviwhispers."Quitesimple,
really."
"What?Whatdoyoumean?"
Headjustshisneck,twistingittothesideuntilthebonespop."Youlet
mefeedonyourblood.Iwillregainmystrength.ThenIcanbreakthese
shackleswithease."
"Andkillme,"Isay,backingaway.
Hesmiles."Killyou?True.Iwould.Butyouarenotjustyounow,are
you?I'veheardofthebabeyoucarry.Mynieceornephew.Theheir.What
kindofunclewouldIbeifIkilledthechild?WhatkindofmonsterwouldI
be?"
Ishakemyhead,placingaprotectivehandonmybelly."Youreally
expectmetobelievethat?ThatyoucareaboutmyandFen'sbaby?"
"Believewhatyouwill."Heshrugs."ThewayIseeit,Iamyouronly
option.Letmefeed,andtogetherwecanescape.Don't,andyouwill
remainaprisonerforever.Thatis,untilyourbabyisborn.Andthenwhat
doyouthinkwillhappen,Princess?Letmetellyou.Metsiwillcutyour
throatandtakethebabeasherown.Shewillteachthechildtocallher
mother.AndyourpreciousbabewillgrowupjustlikehermommyDruid,
demented,mad,aFaewhowillnotstopuntileveryvampireandShadeis
massacred.Isthatwantyouwantforyourchild?Isthatthefutureyou
imagine?"
"Screwyou,"Isaythroughgrittedteeth.I'mnotstupid.OfcourseI've
consideredthat.ButIwillfiguresomethingoutbeforethathappens.I
must.
Hechuckles.
Apartofhisoffertemptsme,butIwouldbeafooltotakeit.Evenif
he'snotlyingaboutprotectingthebaby,hehasnoreasontotakemewith
him.Hecouldfleeonhisown.
"Thereisoneotherway,"saysLevi."Youcould…"Heglancesatthe
guardsatthedoorandlowershisvoicefurther.Soquiet.
"What?How?"Ileanclosertolisten.
Andthenhegrabsme.
Hishandclutchesmyhairandyanksmyheadtohismouth.BeforeIcan
react,hislipsbrushmyneck.Histeethsinkintomyskin.
Igaspasbloodrushesoutofme.Itrytofight.Kickandscream.But
already,hehasgrownstronger.Hekeepsaholdofme.Drinking.Drinking.
Yelling.
Theguards.
TheychargeatLevi.
Foramoment,heletsmego.
Withbarehands,hetearstheguardsapart,theirentrailsexploding
ontothewalls.Ifalltotheground.Weak.Soweak.Itrytostand.Tocrawl.I
cannot.
AndthenLevireturns.Tofinish.
Hegrabsmebytheneck.Bitesdownagain.
Ican'tevenscreamthistime.
Heisdrainingme.Drainingmecompletely.
Iamfading.Iamdying.
Henevercaredforthebaby.Hewaslyingallalong.Ofcourse,hewould
justkillme.Withmegone,theDruidswouldhavetoreturntoslumber.
Metsi'spowerswouldfade.Thewarwouldbeover.AndLevicouldescape
withease.
Heisclosenow.Closetoendingitall.
Myvisionblurs.Myminddims.
Iplacemyhandsonmybelly.Onmybaby.AndIthinkofFen.
I'msosorry.I'msosorrytoyouboth.Youdeservedalifetogether.
Someonerushesintotheroom.WatercrashesintoLevi,pushinghim
back.
Butitistoolate.
Iamtoofargone.
Iclosemyeyes.
AndIdie.
Chapter2
SILENCE
FenrisVane
"Ourfather,KingLucian.Hecouldbe…difficult,attimes,buthewasalways
fair."
—Asher
Ifeelit.Thebondbreaking.Somethingiswrong.
Arianna!
Irushforwardthroughsnowandbrush,searching,hoping,praying.
Branchessnapbeneathmyfeetanddustfliesinmywake.Baronkeeps
pacebesideme,runningfasterthenheeverhas,neverslowing,evenwhen
hisbreathdrawsraggedandfatiguesettlesintohisbones.Forastraight
day,werun.Werun.Werun.Untilwecanrunnomore.Asthesunbegins
toset,Ifalltomykneesonahilloverlookingtheforest.Mybreathisheavy.
Mybodyisdrenchedwithsweatbeneathlayersofbrownfurcloaksand
vests.Baronmoansintothesnow,hisbodyasspentasmine,hishowls
weakandplaintive.Wehavesearchedfordays.Weeks.Butstillwefind
nothing.Andnow…nowsomethinghaschanged.
EversinceIfedonAriannathatdayinthecave,Ihavefeltbondedto
her,feltherlifeapartofmyown.ButnowIfeelitnolonger.Instead,Iam
empty.Hollow.Alone.
Itistimeforanewplan.Timetoreassess.TimetodosomethingIdo
notwishtodo,butImust.ForArianna.BecauseIknowofnootherpath
now.Idrawmydaggerandslicethepalmofmyhand.Withredblood,I
drawhismark.
ThenIsettobuildingafirebehindagroupoflargestones.Theyremind
meofaclaw,viscousandcruel,reachingfortheheavens.Youarethe
PrinceofWar,theyseemtowhisper.YouarethePrinceofDeath.What
endingdidyoudreamof?Didyoudreamofhappiness?
Mybodycoilswithrageatmyowndarkthoughts.ItburnswithafuryI
havenotfeltinmylonglife,evenatmydarkest.AndthenIflingmyhead
backandroartothestars.Ismashmyfistintothegroundandfeelitshake
beneathme.Again.Again.Istrikethegrounduntilmyknucklesbleed,and
thenIstrikeagain.
AndwhenIhavenostrengthleft,Ifallback,backagainstthosecold
cruelstones,andIlosemyselfinmemories.MemoriesofAriannainmy
arms,hersoftskinuponmyown,herlipsagainstmine.Herbreathacool
breezeuponmyear,herscentlikefreshflowersandasummerday.Oh,
howIlongtohaveherbackinmyarms.ToknowIcankeephersafe,to
whisperwordsofcomfort.WhydidIeverlethergo?WhydidInotseeher
rushforLevi?Why,whenIdid,couldInotfightthroughtheguardsfast
enough?Why?Why?Why?Thewordhauntsme.
ButIwillnotfallintodespair.Notyet.
IwillsaveArianna.Iwilldoanythingtodoso.
Iwouldevensummonhim.
Baronstandsatattention,sniffingattheair.
Hecomesfromtheshadows,asilentsnakecominguponitsprey.Ilook
up.Glareintohisdarkeyes.
"Lucian."
Myfathersmiles,butthereisnowarmthtohiseyes.Heiscoldand
harshlikethestorm.Blackandredarmorcladshisbody.Hisgreatsword
hangsonhisback."Youwishtospeak,"hesays,stillhalfintheshadows,
halfhiddenindarkness.Asifthelightfrommyfirewouldburnhim.
IhavenotseenmyfathersincethedayIdruggedhim.ThedayI
thoughthimdeadandmyentireworldchanged.Istand,equalinghimin
height,mybodyasmassiveashisown.Ineverlookaway.Nevershowa
signofweakness."Whereisshe?"
Hedoesnotfeignignorance.Feigningignoranceisfeigningdullness.
"TheDruidMetsihasher.Inaplaceyouwillneverfind.Aplaceshewill
neverescape."
ItisasIfeared.Isawthebrokenice.Theragingwater.TheWaterDruid
hasher.Iclenchmyjaw."WithoutArianna,thecontractcannotbe
honored.AnewKingofHellcannotbechosen.Youmusthelpbringher
back."
Hechuckles."Imust?Afteryoubetrayedme,yourownfather,your
ownkin?"
"Iwasneveryours,"Iroar.
"Ofcourseyouweremine.Iraisedyou.Mywife'sbloodbroughtyouto
life,flowsthroughyourveinsevennow."Hiswordspulsewithrage.Heis
moreupsetthanIimagined.UpsetatthethoughtIamnothisown.Or
perhapsjustupsetIamnotwithinhispower.
"Ifthecontractisnothonored,"Icontinue,"therealmswillsuffer.
Therewillbenoruler,andyourchildrenwillcontinuetosquabbleasthey
have,settingruinuponeachother.Haveyouseenthedestructionwithin
mycastle?Haveyouseenthestrung-upFaeandthedismemberedheads
adorningpikes?"Istepforward,pleading."Didyounotseektobring
balancebetweentheFaeandvampire?Didyounotseektobringpeace?
Helpme.HelpmesaveAriannaandbringbalance."
Helooksdownforthefirsttime."EvenifIcould…evenifIdid…what
woulditmatter?Youhavenodesiretobeking.Youwillmakeno
difference."
Hiswordspunchmeinthegut.Theyringtrue,andyet,theyfillmewith
anger.Howdarehedeigntoknowmymind?ToknowwhatIcanorcannot
do?
"Iwillbringpeace,"Ivow."Iwillbringbalance."
Luciansmirks,pointingatme."Youhavealwayshadaflairforthegrand
gestures,aflairforthedramatic.Andoften,youhavekepttoyourword,
succeededwhereothersthoughtyou'dfail.Butthistime,youwillnot
succeedmyson.Youcannot.Becausethistime,youareagainstme."He
lookstothefire."Youandyourbrothersplayyourgame,fightingovermy
scrapslikeapackofdogs,butintheend,thereisonlyoneKingofHell.And
hestandsbeforeyou."Heturnstoleave.
ButIwillnotlethim.Myvoicethundersthroughtheair.AskingwhatI
havedreadedtoask."AmIatruePrinceofHell?CanAriannachoosemeto
rule?"
Heturnsback,hisfacehalfinshadow,halfinlight."Yes.Shemay
chooseyou.Butwillyoulether?"
Hiswordsfillmewithemotion.Iamatrueheir.AriannaandIcanstill
betogether.ButbeforeIcancollectallmythoughts,Luciancontinues.
"Youknow,Idespisedyouatfirst,"hesays."Despisedeverythingyou
represented.AFaelivinginmyownhome,feedinguponmyfood,my
hospitality,myknowledge.Butintime,youshowedmesomethingInever
thoughttrue.Youshowedmeitisnotourbirththatmakesuswhoweare,
itisourchoices.Itisourowntrueself."Hiseyesfillwithsorrow;an
emotionIdonotrecalleverseeingonhim."Ioncethoughtmyself
condemnedtothisrealm,condemnedtolivealifelesserthanthatofmy
brother's.ButyoushowedmeIcoulddoanything.Anything.Iremember
whenyoulefttoslaythebeastuponGreyMountain.Itwasyourtest,your
testtoseeifyouwereworthyofarealmofyourown.Halfyourbrothers
laughedandplacedbetsonyourdemise,theotherhalfworriedand
trembledforyoursafety.ButI…Ididnotdoubtyouthen.Toooftenhad
youprovenmewrong.Toooftenhadyoumadedreamsreality.Sowhen
youreturnedfromGreyMountain,yourragssoakedinblood,theheadof
thebeaststrappedtoyourbelt,Ididnotevenblinkaneye.ThatisFenris,I
said.Thatiswhoheis.ThePrinceofWar."
Whydoeshetellmeallthis?"Youcarenothingforme,"Ihiss.
"Oh,Icare,myson.Icareforyouall.ItiswhyIdowhatIdo.Oneday,
youwillunderstand.ItiswhyItellyouthisnow.Soyouremember.
RememberIamalwaysonyourside."
Hiswordssoundoflies,butIwillusethemasIcan."Ifyouareonmy
side,thenhelpme.TellmewhereAriannais.Ifyoudonot,IswearIwill
neverforgiveyou.Iwillhuntyou.IwilldoasothersthinkI'vedone,and
youwillfalluponmyblade."
Inexplicably,hesmiles."Perhapsoneday,myson.Perhapsoneday."
Andasfastashecame,heslipsawayintotheshadows.
Irunforward,graspingforhim.Butheisalreadygone.Vanishedbythe
magicheshareswithnoone.
AndIamonceagainalone.
Ifallbackagainstthosestones,andIdrawanothermark.
ItismorningbythetimeDeanfindsme.Hewearsnoshirtdespitethe
cold,onlyblackpants,aswordonhiship,abowstrungacrosshisshoulder.
Hisgoldenhairshimmersinthesun.Hegrimaceswhenheseesme."No
luck?"
"Some."Isay,puttingoutthefire."SheiswiththeDruidMetsi,but
whereIdonotknow."
"Andyoucameuponthisknowledgehow,exactly?"
"Ourfather."
Dean'seyesalmostleavehisskull."Hecametoyou?"
"Yes.Heansweredmysummons."Ithrowmysuppliesbackovermy
shoulderandheadforthenextmountain.
Deanfollows,hislegssinkinguptohiskneesinthesnow.Hehas
searchedtheselandsasIhavethesepastfewdays.Hehasscouteddayand
nightbutfoundnothing."Sowhatnext?Wecontinuetoscourthe
Outlands?"
"No,"Isay,sighing,wishingIdidnothavetosharethisknowledge.But
Deanistheonlyprincetolendmehisaid.EvenAsherrefusestosearch.
ThePrinceofPridehasn'tbeenhimselflately,butIhaveneitherthetime
norattentiontofindoutwhatailsmybrother."Thereisanotherplace,"I
tellDean."AnotherplacewheretheFaedwell."AndthenItellhimabout
Avakiri.
"Iheardwhispers.Rumorsofrumors."Deanshakeshisheadinwonder.
"ButIthoughtthemfalsetalesconjuredtogivetheFaehope.Ifthisplace
doesindeedexist,canyouimaginethehistorywewillfindthere?The
culture?"
Ishrug."IonlyhopewefindArianna."
Deangrinslikeachildpromisedcandy."Sodoyouknowhowwegetto
this…Avakiri?"
"VarisandIspokeofitbriefly.Beforehelefttosearchtheskiesfor
Arianna."TheDruidhasnotsentwordforweeks.Ihopeheissafe.Helikely
returnedtoAvakiri,hopingtofindtheMidnightStar,andifwhathesaid
wastrue,hispeoplewouldnothavewelcomedhimwithopenarms.
"Thereisadoornearby,"Icontinue."AWaystone,theycallit.A
passageintoAvakiri.IdonotknowifIwillbeabletoopenit,butIwilltry.
MyDruidbloodmaybeenough.Shouldbeenough."
Deannods,andthenwedonotspeakforawhileasIguidehimover
freezingmountainsandthroughdenseforests.Baronstaysclosetomyheel
aswewalk,andIoccasionallylayahandonhisheadasmythoughtsturnto
thedaysafterAriannadisappeared.
Dean,Asher,andImettodiscussplans.Smallpartieshadbeensentout
tosearchforAriannaalready,buttheyreturnedwithnonews,andwe
couldscarceaffordtheextramanpowerwheneverybodywasneeded
here.EsandPete,herbestfriends,hadvolunteeredtosearchaswell,but
theydidnotknowthelandnorhowtodefendthemselvesinthewild.So
Deanescortedthembacktoearth,afteralongtalkthatinvolvedalcohol
andpromisestokeeptheminformedthemomentwefoundArianna.Sowe
hadtoreassess,andIneededadvice.
ThePrinceofPrideadjustedhiscollar,cursingunderhisbreath,then
turnedtothemapbeforeus."Howwillyoufindher?"heasked."Where
willyoustart?"
IpointedatthedifferentOutlandvillagesandfortsscatteredacrossthe
map."DeanandIwilltravelnorth,leavingnostoneunturned,sweeping
acrosstheentireborder.Wewill—"
"Youwon'tfindher,"saidAsher."Youdidn'tfindherbefore.Andyou
won'tfindhernow."
Deantiltshisheadtotheside."Itwasyouwhobroughtherbackthe
firsttimetheFaetookher,wasn'tit,Asher?Perhapsyoucanoffersome
adviceinsteadofwhining."
"Verywell,"saidAsher,sittingdownandadjustinghisblacksuit."Send
theDruidafterher.HeknowstheFaebetterthanusall.Iftheyhaveher,
andtheylikelydo,hewillknowwheretolook."
Deannodded,twirlingafingerthroughhisblondcurls."Soundspretty
good,actually.Butwhatifshe'snotwiththeFae?WhatifLevihasher?"
Ishookmyhead."Therehavebeennoreportsofhim.Likely,heisdead
ortakenaswell."
Deanfrowned,searchingthemap."OrperhapshetookArianna
somewheresecret.Perhapsheistryingto…guaranteehisascension."
Ifheweretogetherpregnantandturnherintoavampire,thenthe
contractwouldbefulfilled.Hertimewiththeotherprinceswouldbe
forfeited,andLeviwouldbecomekingofall.Thethoughtdisgustedme.
ThethoughtofLeviandAriannasomewherealone.Thethoughtofhim…
Icouldnotevenimagineit.
"Ifthatweretrue,"Isaid,"andLevididindeedhaveherinhisclutches,I
thinkhewouldhavereturnedtriumphantbynow.Instead,ithasbeen
days."
"Ithas,"agreedAsher."SowhynotdoasIproposeandsendtheDruid?
Hewillfairfarbetterthanthetwoofyou."
Iclenchedmyjaw.ItwastruethatDeanandIhadalreadybegunto
searchandfoundnothing.Butwehadnotstrayedtoofarfromthecastle
yet.Mycastle."Wemustlookfarthernorth,"Isaid."Wewillleavetoday."
"AndwhowillrunStonehill?"askedAsher."Whowillwatchthe
MoonlightGarden?"
"Isupposeithastobeyou,"Isaid."Don'tworry.Itwon'tbeallthat
difficult.TheKeeperswilltellyouwhatneedsattention."
Ashermock-laughed."Notthatdifficult?Runningthreerealms?You
mustbeoutofyourmind."
Deanshrugged,pouringhimselfaglassofwine."Ifinditprettyeasy."
"Thatisbecauseyourrealmisbuiltonalcoholandsex,"saidAsher.
"Butotherrealmsarenotsosimple."
Deansnickered."Yeah,somearebuiltonnailpolishandflowers.So
difficult."
AsherjumpedfromhischairandpinnedDeanagainstthewall.He
grippedhimbythecollarandpushedhimuptotheair."Youwillnotinsult
meagain.Doyouunderstand?"
TherewasapanicinDean'seyes.Andthenitturnedtolaughter.
"SmoothAsherlosinghistemper.Timesarechanging,indeed.Whatnext,
brother?Shallwejumpintoanarenaandspar?Isolookforwardtokicking
yourass."
Asher'seyetwitched,andheseemedaboutreadytofight,butinstead
hesighedandlethisbrothergo."Ihavemoreimportantthingstodothan
fightyou,Dean."AndthenAsherlefttheroom,avoidingbothourgazes.
Ikeptmyeyesonhimashedisappeareddownthehall."Heisacting
strange,"Isaid.
Deannodded."Soyou'venoticedit,too."
"SohaveI."Athirdvoice.Anewvoice.TheDruid.Varissteppedinfrom
thebalcony,hiswhiteclockdriftinginawindIcouldnotfeel.Hisbaldhead
gleaminginthetorchlightashissilverwhiteowlperchedonhisshoulder.
Hemusthaveflowntheresilently.Howlonghadhebeenlistening?
"AsherandIhavespokenbriefly,"continuedtheDruid."Hewas…nicer
thanusual."
Iraisedaneyebrow."Nicer?Andthisisanoddthingbetweenyou?
Consideringyoutwowere—"
"Yes.Itisodd,"saidVaris,cuttingmeoff."Afterwhatwehavebeen
through,ourtalksarefullofsorrowandregrets.Atleast,theyusedtobe.
Nowheistoopolite.Tooformal."
Deanrubbedhischin."Polite?You'reright.Somethingiswrongwith
Asher."
"Weshouldkeepaneyeonhim,"Isay.Athoughtticklesatmymind.
Whatif…no.Itcouldn'tbeillusion.HeistooidenticaltothebrotherI
know.Itwouldtakegreatknowledgeandgreatpowertocastsuchaspell.
Noonewouldbecapableofit.NooneIhaveeverheardof.
IturnedtotheDruid."Varis,tonightweleavetosearchforArianna."
Hebowedhishead."ThenIshallleaveaswell.ZyraandIwillsearchthe
skies."
Deanlookedhesitant."SoweleaveAsheralonetoruleourrealms?"
"Onlyforawhile,"Isaid."Besides,whatharmcanhedo?Therealms
areancient.Theyarehardtochangefromtheirways.Andifhedoes
somethingdisagreeable,thenwewillundoituponourreturn."Ipause.
"Thoughthesecircumstancesarenotideal,Ariannamustcomefirst.She
must."
Theybothnodded,andthenwepartedways.Ipackedmythingsfor
travel,andthenImademywaytothehealingtents.Ihadbeenthereoften
oflate.ToseeKayla.
Shewasn'tinherroom,soIsearchedforherinthehealingtents.
Perhapsshe'dgonethereformoremedicine.
Ididnotexpecttofindmyhalf-sisterinawhitebed,herskinpalerthan
usual,herlimbsweakfromatrophy.Thehealer,Seri,stoodoverher,
applyingdampclothstomysister'shead.
"Whatisthis?"Iasked."ShewasonthemendlastIsawher.Iwasonly
goneafewdays."
Serigrittedherteeth."Wefoundherlikethisinherbed.Wecannot
wakeher."
Iclenchedmyfist."Whyhassherelapsedsosuddenly?Whatdidyou
giveher,Fae?What?"
Fearappearedinhereyes.Butthenitpassed,replacedwithconcern.
"Nothingnew.ThismustbearesultoftheconcoctionsthePrinceofEnvy
gaveher.Theyhaveassaultedhermind,drivenhertohallucinationsand
madness.Arelapseisn'toutoftherealmofpossibilityinacaselikethis."
"Butshewasdoingbetter,"Isaid,myvoiceloosingitsthunderingrief
andworry.
"Shewasrunningoffalastburstofenergy,mylord,"saidSeri."But
whenitexpired,herbodyshutdown.Shecollapsed."
Ilookedatmysister,mydearsisterwhoenduredtortureunspeakable.
TorturethatwouldhavebrokenmanyIknow."Whenwillshewake?"
"Idonotknow,mylord.Sheisfightingadifficultbattle.Abattleto
regainhermind.Itcouldtakedays.Weeks.Perhapsevenlonger."
Myfistfellapartintoatremblinghand."But,shewillwake,yes?"
Serilookedaway,hereyesnervous."Itispossible,mylord.Butit
remainstobeseenwhetheritistheKaylayouknowwhowillwake,or
another."
"No."Ipunchedthewoodenpillartomyside,breakingitinhalfand
almostsendingthetentfallinguponus.Butitheld,supportedbyother
beams.IlookedatKaylaandthoughtofthestoryVaristoldme,ofhissister
whowasneverthesame.IfonlyIhaddonedifferently.IfonlyIhadgrown
inmypowers.PerhapsIcouldhaveriddentoStonehillsooner.PerhapsI
couldhavesavedher.
Seritookmyhand,rubbingitgently."Itisnotyourfault,mylord.You
retookthiscity.YoustoppedthetortureofFaeandShade.Andyousaved
Kaylafromafateworsethandeath.Becauseofyou,shestillstandsa
chance."
"Becauseofme…"Iwhispered."Itisbecauseofmethatthishappened
atall."
ThenIpulledbackmyhandandleft.Itwasonmywaybacktomy
quarters,whenIpassedtheinnatthebaseofthecastle,thatIsawhim.
TavianGray.
Hesatatatableoutsideatavern,drinkingunderthebrightsun.
Drinking.Whilemysisterlayasleepunabletowake.
Isteppedforwardandknockedthecupfromhishands."Howisitthat
youdrinkandfindpleasurewhileKaylasuffers?Howhaveyourecoveredso
quicklyfromthetorturesinflictedonyouboth?"
TheFaesighed,flickingbackhisthickdarkhair.Hewasamassiveman,
coiledinmuscle,largerthananyFaeI'deverseen,atleastaslargeasme.
"Yourbrotherspentmoretimeonherthanhedidonme,"saidTavian."I
wishitwerenotso.IwishIhadstoppedhim."
Athiswords,Icalmed.Itseemedwewishedthesame."Iheardyou
wereleaving."
"Iwas,"hesaid,pickinghiscupbackupfromthemudandrefillingit
fromtheflagonofaleonthetable."ButthenIheardshe'drelapsed,andI
couldn'tleaveherthisway."
"Whoisshetoyou?"Iasked.
"Afriend."Hesaidnomore.
"Andwhoareyoutoher?"
"Idonotknow.PerhapsIwillneverknow."Heraisedhiscupinatoast.
"ToKayla."
Inodded."ToKayla."
ThenIleftthemantohisdrinkandsorrows.Ididnotknowhim,and
thatworriedme.ButhewasanenemytoLeviandafriendtoKayla.That
wouldhavetobeenough.
AsIwalkedbacktothecastle,Isurveyedtherepairsonthemainhall.
Winterhadarrived,andthatmadethegatheringofstoneandwoodharder
thanever.Supplieswereshortandworkslow.Itwouldbealongtime
beforeStonehillcouldbeasitoncewas.Perhapsthatwasfitting.Theplace
feltwrongwithoutArianna.Maybeitwouldonlybeputrightwhenshe
returned.
"There."Dean'swordspullmebacktothepresent.Backtothecoldand
snowandsearch."Lookthere."Hepointsdownthehillatsomething.
Ifollowhisgazedowntopilesofgraywoodonecouldbarelycall
houses."AFaevillage.So?"
"It'sempty,"saysDean."Utterlyempty."
Ilookagain,andseethatheisright.Thereisnosignoflife,notoutside
thehutsorwithin.Thereisnotevenahintofprintsinthesnow.Strange.
Likemostthingsthesedays.Butperhapsitisaclue.
Wedescendthesnowyslopeandscourthevillageforpeople.Ifinda
woodenhorseandadollmadeofcloth,butIfindnochildren.Ifindneedle
andstringandahammerforbuilding,butIfindnonetousethem.AllIfind
isthesmell.Likeembersandash.Thesmellofburningthoughthereisno
fire.Thefeelofsmokeinmychestthoughtheairisclear.Something
unnaturalhappenedhere.Somethingdark.
WhenIcomeuponthevillagecenter,Inoticesomethinggreysticking
outfromthesnow.Abone.IdigthroughiceandsheetsofwhiteuntilIfind
more.Theymakeacircle.Acircleofbones.Andinthecenter,acarcass.A
deadgoatcutopen.Baronhowlsintothecoldwind,disturbedbythe
powerthatremains.
"Aritualtookplacehere,"Isay,furtherexaminingthescene.
Deanhearsmeandjogstomyside."YouthinktheFaecastaspell?"
"Perhaps,"Isay,findingstringsandbeads.
"Theymusthavedonesomethingwrong.Conjuredsomethingthat
turnedonthem."
Ishakemyhead."Thiswasadarkritual.Abloodsacrifice.Whatever
thesepeopleconjured,theyintendedtodoso."
Deanlooksaround,hiseyesspooked."Soyoumean,theseFae…these
Faearegone…becausetheysacrificedthemselves?"
"Ibelievetheyknewthecost,yes."Istand,brushingmyhandscleanof
snow.
"Butwhydoitthen?Whygiveyourownlife?"
Ishrug."PerhapsMetsitoldthemto.Perhapssheconvincedthemthe
sacrificewouldwinthewar."
Deanscansthenearbyhouses."SoyouthinkMetsistartedthisritual.
Why?Forpower?"
"Orknowledge."Iwalkaround,searchingforanythingelseunusual."I
haveseensuchritualsbefore,atthebaseoftheGreyMountain.Shamans
wouldcallforwisdomofthefuture.Sometimes,forthestrengthtodefeat
rivaltribes.TheOutlanderswouldalwaysmakeasacrificetosummonthe
power.ThepowertheycalledtheDarkness."
"Andyet,"saysDean,"inallmycenturiesofruling,Ihaveneverseen
thisdarkpower."
"Yourrealmisn'tontheoutskirts,"Isay.
AndthenIseeit.
Footprints.
Someonesurvived.
Theyran.
Ifollowthetracks,DeanandBaronatmyheels,untilIreachashackat
thebackofthevillage.Itrythedoorandfinditbarredfromwithin.SoI
smashitopen.Inside,thereisnothingbutdarkness.Nothingbutshadow.
"Hello?"
Awhimper.Weak.Fading.
"Hello?"Irunin,looking,lookingforthesound."Wemeanyouno
harm.Weonlywantto—"
Baronsniffstheairandrunsforward.Ifollow,andIfindher.Ifindthe
littlegirlcryinginthecorner,clutchingadolltoherchest.Ireachoutto
her."Weonlywanttohelp."
Thegirldoesn'tmove.Sheonlylooksup.Intomyeyes.Andshe
screams.