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.