Impossible. Magnus forced himself not to stagger back from the man in shock.

You should be dead by now, Magnus managed, his throat painfully tight.

The king made a strange, coughing sound then, and if Magnus didnt know better, hed swear it sounded like a laugh.

Not . . . that simple . . . Im afraid, the king sputtered.

Magnus could see Cleos eyes blazing with hatred as she looked down at the man. Why did you say my mothers name?

The king glanced up at her, his gaze narrowed. He licked his dry lips but didnt reply.

Magnus looked at Cleo with surprise. The king had spoken the name Elena in what had seemed like his dying gasps. Had he really meant Queen Elena Bellos?

Answer me, she demanded. Why did you speak her name when you looked at me? You said you were sorry. Sorry for what? What did you do to her that you would need to be sorry for?

Oh . . . dear princess . . . if only you knew. The kings words were less like dying gasps this time and more like the sluggish statement of someone who had just awoken from a deep slumber.

The guards had drawn closer to them at the sound of the kings voice.

Enzo gasped as King Gaius pressed his hands against the blood-spattered snow and raised his head from the icy ground. What dark magic is this? The guards wide eyes glanced over to Magnus, and he immediately bowed his head. Apologies, your highness.

None required. Its an excellent question. Uneasily, Magnus drew his sword and held it as steadily as he could to the kings chest. You should be broken beyond repair, like a bird that flew into a window. What dark magic is this, Father? And is it strong enough to save you from a sharp steel point?

The king glanced at him with a thin-lipped smirk. Youd so easily wish to finish a man whos grasping at the smallest edge of life?

If that man is you, then yes, Magnus hissed.

His father was helpless, weak, bruised, and bloody. It would be the easiest kill Magnus had ever made. And well deserved. So very well deserved.

One jab, one small gesture, could end this. Why, then, did his sword arm feel trapped in stone, unable to move?

The earth Kindred . . . Cleo whispered, touching the pocket of her cloak where shed put the crystal orb. Its healed him. Is that what this is?

I dont know, Magnus admitted.

I dont think the Kindreds magic has anything to do with this. The king now sat upright, his legs stretched out before him. He looked down at his hands, scraped and bleeding from holding on to the edge of the cliff. Gaius took out a pair of black gloves from inside his torn cloak. He slid them on, grimacing from the effort. As I fell, I felt the darklands reaching for me, ready to claim another demon for their ranks. When I hit the ground, I felt my bones shatter. Youre right: I should be dead.

And yet, youre sitting and speaking, Cleo said, her words clipped.

I am. He peered up at her. It must be taking quite a lot of restraint from you right now, princess, not to beg my son to end my life.

Her eyes narrowed. If I didnt think your guards would kill him a moment later, I would.

Magnus looked toward the silent guards now flanking them. Each one had their sword in hand, their expressions tense.

Point well made. The king took a deep, steady breath. Guards, hear me. You will obey all commands of Magnus Damora from this moment forward. He will not be held responsible for anything that has, or will, happen to me.

The guards glanced at each other with strained and uncertain expressions before Enzo nodded. Very well, your highness, he said.

What deception is this? Cleo spat out. Do you think well believe anything you say?

The king smiled. We. How very sweet it is that you two have traversed this dangerous maze together and come out on the other side holding hands. How long have you two been working together against me? Id no idea I had been so blind.

Magnus ignored the kings attempt to throw him off course. If this isnt Kindred magic, what is it?

With total disregard for the sword Magnus held, the king slowly and shakily pushed himself up to his feet. Melenia told me that I was destined for immortality, that I would be a god. He let out a small, bitter laugh. For a time, I actually believed her.

Answer my damn question, Magnus snarled again. He jabbed the blade forward, leaving a shallow scratch on the kings throat.

Gaius flinched, his expression darkening in an instant. Theres only one person responsible for the magic that helped me survive today. Your grandmother.

Magnus didnt believe him. What common witch could possess magic as strong as this?

There was never anything common about Selia Damora.

You expect us to believe anything you say? Cleo snapped.

The king looked at the girl without a lick of kindness in his eyes. No. I wouldnt expect a child to understand the complexities of life and death.

Wouldnt you? Her fists were clenched at her sides. If I had a sword in my grasp right now, Id end you myself.

The king laughed. You could certainly try.

You look like youre already dead. Magnus realized the truth of his words as he spoke them, his fathers pale appearance no healthier than a corpse"his skin slack and bearing a grayish tinge, his bruises mottled browns and purples, his blood so dark it appeared black. Perhaps Grandmothers healing magic wasnt as strong as youd like to believe.

This isnt healing magic. His brow glistened with perspiration despite the frigid morning air. This has only prolonged the inevitable.

Magnus frowned. Explain.

When what little magic remaining within me fades, I will die.

His fathers bluntly delivered statement only filled him with more confusion.

Hes lying, Cleo said through clenched teeth. Dont let him manipulate you. If this isnt earth magic, then its blood magic that keeps his black heart beating.

Magnus glanced at the guards, taking in their troubled gazes and furrowed brows before returning his attention to his father. If this is true, how long do you have?

I dont know. He inhaled, and Magnus heard the hard edge of pain in his breath once again. Hopefully long enough to fix some of the mistakes Ive made. The most recent ones, anyway.

Magnus turned his face away, disgusted. Unfortunately, we dont have enough time to go over a list as endless as that.

Youre right. Gaius gazed at Magnus, past the sword. Perhaps I can fix only one, then. In order to defeat Amara and reclaim Mytica, we will need to unlock the full power of the Kindred.

For this, we need Lucias blood and the blood of an immortal.

Yes.

I have no idea where to find her.

Disappointment crossed the kings pale expression. I must go to see my mother immediately. Shell use her magic to find Lucia. I would trust no other witch with this task.

Go to her? How? Magnus frowned. Grandmother has been dead for more than twelve years.

No, shes very much alive.

He stared at the king in shock. Magnuss memories of his grandmother were sparse, foggy glimpses of his childhood and a woman with black hair and a cool gaze. A woman who had passed away shortly after his grandfathers death.

Hes trying to confuse you. Cleo took Magnuss hand in her own, drawing him away from his father and out of earshot from both him and the guards. We need to go to Auranos. Theres help there. Help we can trust, without question or doubt. Those loyal to my fathers name will not hold the kings crimes against you, I promise.

He shook his head. This is not a war that a few rebels can win. Amaras become too powerful, shes gained too much with barely any effort. We need to find Lucia.

And if were successful in finding her? What then? She hates us.

Shes confused, Magnus said, an image of his younger sister appearing in his mind. Grieving. She feels betrayed and lied to. If she knew that her home was in trouble, she would help us.

Are you sure about that?

If Magnus were honest with himself, hed have to admit he wasnt sure about anything anymore.

You must go to Auranos without me, he spat out the words, as distasteful as they were necessary. I cant leave yet. I need to see this through to the end.

She nodded. That sounds like a good plan.

His heart twisted into a vicious knot. Im glad you agree.

You are, are you? Cleos cerulean eyes flashed with cold fire, and Magnus almost started at her harsh words. You think that after all of this . . . ? She threw her hands up in the air in lieu of finishing her sentence. You are completely impossible, do you know that? Im not leaving here without you, you idiot"

His brows shot up. Idiot?

"and thats the end of this discussion. Got it?

He stared at her, once again stunned by this girl and everything she said. Cleo"

No, no more arguments, she cut him off harshly. Now, if youll excuse me for a moment, I need to clear my head. Away from him. She tossed the last word at the king and, with a glare, marched away, her arms crossed tightly over her chest.

I see such passion between you now, the king said as he drew closer to his son, his lips twisting with distaste. How terribly sweet.

Shut your mouth, Magnus growled.

The king kept his gaze on the princess as she paced angrily nearby. Then he turned toward the guards. I need to speak to my son in private. Give us space.

All four guards immediately did as requested and moved away from Magnus and his father.

Privacy? Magnus scoffed. I dont think anything you have to say to me anymore warrants that.

No? Not even if its about your golden princess?

Magnuss hand was on the hilt of his sword in an instant, fury rising within him. If you dare threaten her life again"

A warning, not a threat. His father regarded his outrage with only weary patience. The girl is cursed.

Magnus was sure he hadnt heard him correctly. Cursed?

Many years ago, her father was involved with a powerful witch"a witch who didnt take the news of his marriage to Elena Corso well, so she cursed Elena and any future offspring that they would die in childbirth. Elena nearly died giving her firstborn life.

But she didnt.

No, she died with her second.

Of course Magnus had heard about the former queen of Auranoss tragic fate and had seen the portraits of Cleos beautiful mother in the hallways of the golden palace. But this couldnt possibly be true.

Its said she suffered greatly before she finally passed. The kings voice had become not much more than a rasp. But she was strong enough to see her newborn daughters face"and to name her after a wretched, hedonistic goddess"before death finally claimed her. And now this witchs curse has surely been passed to that daughter.

Magnus regarded his father with utter disbelief. Youre lying.

The king sent a fierce frown at Magnus. Why would I lie?

Why would you lie? he repeated, a dry laugh rising in his throat. Oh, I dont know. Perhaps because you wish to manipulate me at every turn for your own amusement?

If thats what you think . . . The king flicked his wrist toward Cleo, who was speaking with Enzo now and sending impatient looks toward Magnus and his father. The hem of the scarlet gown she wore peeked out from beneath the dark green fabric of the cloak shed stolen the night before from a Kraeshian guard. Get her pregnant and youll witness her die in anguish, lying in a deep pool of her own blood as she brings your spawn into this world.

Magnus had all but stopped breathing. What his father claimed couldnt possibly be true.

But if it was . . .

Cleo began to close the distance between them, her hood down, her long blond hair fanned over her shoulders.

Witches casts curses, Gaius said to Magnus quietly. Witches are also known to break curses. All the more reason for you to come with me to see your grandmother.

You tried to kill me and the princess.

Yes, I did. So the decision of how youll proceed lies with you now.

Cleo reached Magnuss side with Enzo behind her, and she frowned as she looked between father and son. What is it? Not more plans for me to hide myself away in Auranos, I hope.

The horrific image of Cleo lying dead on bloody sheets was now locked in Magnuss mind, her eyes glazed and lifeless while nearby a baby with cerulean eyes cried endlessly for its mother.

No, princess, Magnus managed. You made your thoughts on that quite clear, even if I strongly disagree. I wish to be reacquainted with my grandmother after all these years. She will use her magic to help us find Lucia, who will help us reclaim Mytica. Agreed?

Cleo didnt answer for a moment, her brow furrowed in thought. Yes, I suppose it makes a sickening kind of sense to seek help from another Damora. She blinked. Magnus, youve become very pale. Are you all right?

Fine, he said tightly. We leave now.

Amara will wonder where Ive disappeared to without word, the king said. That could cause problems.

Magnus sighed. Very well. Go and make your excuses for leaving your brides side. However, if you try to cross me, Father, I assure you that your death will come far sooner than you anticipate.