I close my eyes and search for the remnants of Maaz’s power in me. I find it and grab hold of it to make the change back into my Fae form. But nothing happens. Doubt pricks at me but I shove it away, trying once more. The shift that came once so easily to me escapes me. I feel a wave of panic as Maaz’s glittering eyes flash through my mind. I hear her last words echoing so clearly, it’s as if she’s in the room with me. The curse is permanent now.
There’s a wave of panic and heat in my chest and I lumber to the window for fresh air. Taking deep gulps of air, I stare out at the ocean horizon. I didn’t fight off Sadal and lose so many of my people and Moritz’s just to succumb to Maaz’s dark game. I refuse. The fear gives way to sheer anger and determination. I focus on the shift, giving it all my attention and energy. Slowly, I feel it give way. The shift is painful this time as every cell in my body groans at the sudden influx of forced magic. I grit my teeth, holding in a cry as the bones pop and muscles flex back into their normal shape.
What feels like hours later, I open my eyes, covered in a sheen of sweat and on my knees in the morning sun. I pant, hands curled loosely on my thighs, as if placating the gods. My muscles throb and my joints ache, but I forced the curse back. It’s only a matter of time now before I can’t keep it from taking full effect. My shoulders sag as I think of all that Verity and I could have had together – all the possibilities that hung between us. There’s a dull pain in my heart and I know it has nothing to do with the curse.
I force myself to my feet and Verity off my mind. She’s gone. And there’s nothing I can do to change the past. Right now, the future of Alnembra hangs by a thin thread. If the curse claims me while I’m with Erzur, she’ll have every right to my throne as the more competent ruler – the one not chained by Bloodbane magic. My lips curl into a grimace. The last thing I want is Erzur’s greedy hands on Alnembra. If she finds out about the curse’s slow but inevitable return, she would only be more eager to see me out of the picture. I won’t let her use it against me. Closing my eyes, I pray that the curse won’t afflict me while around any of my enemies – even the ones masquerading as friends.
A bell tolls, signaling the hour, and I rise to dress. There’s too much to be done to waste any more time to the curse. I stride from my room to meet Moritz in the council room. I know he’ll be there. He’s never been one for much sleep, preferring to work long through the night and early in the morning. When I push open the door, I find him stooped over a pile of papers. He wears an even heavier cloak now that the days are growing colder.
“Hello, Moritz,” I say, joining him.
He grunts. “You’re late.”
“I would hardly call this late,” I quip, slipping one of the papers detailing supplies out from under his nose. I peer at it. “How accurate are these numbers?”
“Taken yesterday morning.” He rises to his full height and I notice that his white-blonde hair is mussed and greasy, as if he got no sleep.
“You’ve been here all night?” I ask, cocking a brow.
“If we have more enemies, I want to be sure we can be ready,” he says simply. “We can’t fight a winter war. Both Canes and Alnembra simply don’t have the food rations for it.”
I nod, dread coiled in my gut. “Perhaps we won’t have to. What do we know of the Shades?”
“Very little,” he admits. “My historians haven’t found any mention of them in our records, or yours.”
I purse my lips. “If it weren’t for Thal, I wouldn’t believe in them myself.”
“And Sadal?” Moritz asks. “What did he have to say?”
“He said they were evil – more so than even him. And they want out,” I say, my eyes shadowed as I think of Sadal’s cryptic words.
Moritz huffs. “As much as I put little stock in the dark god’s words, I don’t think it wise to rile an enemy we don’t understand yet.”
“Agreed,” I murmur. “We shall wait. Has anyone spoken to the Bloodbane?”
Moritz looks at me sidelong. “It seems you’re the only one who can stomach their presence.”
I think of Verity in her bloodred cloak and the suspicious glances from the Fae. I scowl, irritation flashing through me. If I ever discover any ill will towards her, I’ll cut the accuser down where they stand. I leave Moritz then, silently chewing on my stubborn desire to protect her from anything and everything that could harm her. I wish I could have gone with her. I wish things could be simpler between us. If I wasn’t a King, there would be nothing in this realm or any realm that could stop me from making things right between us.
The door to Cleo’s room is high in one of the fort’s towers and I knock. I wait for her to call, but she’s silent inside. I roll my eyes, knowing full well she’s simply obstinate and ornery. She’s there, waiting on the other side, listening with her Fae ears as I listen with mine. I push into her room.
Cleo is
