Destiny, she murmured. Yes, I believe in destiny, Kyan. I believe it was my destiny to possess this.

Lucia pulled the amber orb out of her pocket and held it on the palm of her hand. She focused her thoughts and inhaled slowly. Her elementia had been easiest to access in the beginning when her emotions were elevated"hate and fear were the most useful to trigger her magic.

But now, even weakened, with Evas ring firmly on her finger, she could coax the beast out of its cage. The fine hairs on her arms raised, and she felt the combination of air, earth, water, and fire within her rise to the surface of her skin"a crackling sensation in her veins that ached to be free. Today, she didnt wish to unleash it upon the world around her"she wished to feed it.

It hungered for stolen magic.

Just as shed done with Melenia, she focused on the magic that existed in the very air before her, seeing it with a vision that went far beyond common sight. It was a red glow swirling around her, incorporeal, eternal. And, she sensed without any doubt, currently vulnerable.

Kyans very essence. Fire.

The orb began to glow, and Kyan made a choked, pained sound.

What are you doing?

Seems Timotheus isnt the only one you need to fear, is he? she said.

Fire flared up in a circle around Lucia and Jonas. It was so hot and blazing that Lucia lost her concentration, and the sleeve of her cloak caught fire.

Was that Kyans magic, or had she done that?

Jonas smothered the flames with his cloak, putting them out as quickly as he could. They extinguished as quickly as theyd appeared, leaving a scorched black circle around them.

Did it work? he demanded. You tried to trap him, right?

Lucia nodded and inspected the amber orb. I dont know.

Jonas peered at the crystal. I dont see the black swirly thing.

Your companion has such a way with words, little sorceress, Kyan hissed. Your magic is still formidable, but you failed.

Then Ill try again. Lucia gripped the orb and tried to summon her magic, but it had weakened too much already. Damn it!

My, my, little sorceress. You are certainly not the innocent, grieving girl I met in her darkest hour, are you?

No, Im the witch whos going to be the end of you.

Well see. I believe you seek your father and brother? I suggest you travel as quickly as you can to get to them before the empress tears out both of their hearts.

CHAPTER 27.

AMARA.

PAELSIA.

Fifty-three were killed in the rebel attack, empress, many of them trampled by the crowd.

Unfortunate. Amara took a steady sip of her wine as Kurtis presented the days news to her. Do they hate me now? These violent peasants?

No. Favor among Paelsians remains high for you.

Good.

Do you want the prisoners executed? Kurtis asked as scratched at his bandages. I would suggest a swift public beheading, as well as mounting the heads of the other dead rebels on spikes, to show everyone that such crimes wont be tolerated.

Amara raised a brow as she considered this. Is that how you do public executions here?

He nodded. In Limeros it is, empress.

In Kraeshia, my father liked to have his prisoners tied to posts, publicly skinned alive, and left there until they stopped screaming. It usually didnt take long. Ive witnessed many of these executions in my life.

Kurtis blanched. That could be arranged if that is what pleases the empress.

She glared at him. No, that would not please the empress.

The only thing that would please the empress would be for Kyan to finally return from his travels and give her further instructions on how to unleash the powerful being within her water Kindred.

While it was quite unfortunate, the lives of a handful of Paelsians ultimately didnt matter. And a failed assassination attempt by a former lover didnt matter either.

Only magic mattered.

Nerissa silently topped up Amaras glass of wine.

No execution, Amara told Kurtis, sliding her fingertip around the edge of the goblet. They can stay in the pit until I decide what I wish to do with them.

Chief Basilius had been kind enough to leave behind an ingenious prison. In the center of his walled compound was a large hole thirty feet deep, its sides crafted from smooth sandstone. There was no escaping from it, but Amara had asked for ten guards to keep watch on Felix and Taran just in case they might be able to sprout wings and fly away.

Pardon me for saying this, empress, Kurtis went on, but I must raise my concerns once again about staying in Paelsia much longer. As you witnessed for yourself, despite winning the people over with the promises youve made to them, they are very dangerous and quick to violence, like cornered, injured wild animals. And if there are more rebel factions here in Mytica"let alone any who might arrive from overseas . . . He shivered. This is far too dangerous a place for you to remain.

She squeezed her eyes shut as her head began to throb from the sound of his reedy voice. And what would you suggest, Lord Kurtis?

I would suggest that we continue on to Auranos, to the City of Gold and the royal palace there. I assure you that it would be much more suited to your greatness.

I know how beautiful the palace is, Lord Kurtis. Ive been there before.

Ive already written to my father about this possibility, and he enthusiastically approves. There will be a great feast planned in your honor, and the greatest dressmaker in Hawks Brow, Lorenzo Tavera, will be commissioned to create a magnificent gown for you to wear to greet your Auranian subjects.

Amara stared at Kurtis so intensely that he took a shaky step backward.

I dont know, she said quietly, still running her finger slowly around the rim of her glass. What do you think, Nerissa?

Nerissa took a moment to consider this. I think Lord Kurtis is correct that Lorenzo Tavera would create a magnificent gown. He is the one who created Princess Cleionas wedding gown.

But what of the move there?

I think that is entirely up to you, your grace.

Lord Kurtis. Amara leaned forward to regard the kingsliege, holding on to the last sliver of patience she had within her. I think its a wonderful idea. However, Im not ready to leave Paelsia quite yet. You shall go in my place to personally oversee the creation of this gown and the preparation of this feast. And you will leave immediately.

What? Kurtis frowned deeply. I . . . I meant that we should all go. I am your royal advisor and"

And thats exactly why its so important that you are the one wholl represent me there.

But I had hoped to be present when Prince Magnus was finally captured.

Of course you had. But as you so graciously pointed out, other matters hold much more importance for me, such as gowns and feasts in Auranos. Amara waved him away. You will leave the compound by sundown. That is an order, Lord Kurtis.

His jaw tightened, and for a moment she thought he might actually argue with her. She waited, considering removing his other hand as a penalty for insubordination.

Instead, he gave a firm nod. Yes, empress. As you wish.

Kurtis left the room.

Amara gestured to a guard near the door. Ensure that he does exactly as I commanded.

The guard bowed and followed Kurtis.

Well, little empress, it certainly looks as if you have everything under control here.

Amaras grip tightened on her golden goblet at the sound of Kyans voice, unexpected after three long days of silence.

You may leave as well, Nerissa, Amara said.

Yes, empress. Nerissa bowed and did as she was told.

If everyone were as obedient, as agreeable as Nerissa Florens, life would be much sweeter and simpler, Amara thought as she watched her lovely attendant leave the room and close the door behind her.

When will we perform the ritual? she asked.

These are the words you greet me with after my travels? I have to say Im underwhelmed, little empress.

Im not a little empress, she said, her voice rising. I am the empress.

Youre upset. With me or with the world as a whole?

I nearly died while you were away. Rebels attempted to assassinate me"here, where you told me to come. The very place where you promised I would become more powerful than anyone else.

Yet youre alive and look very well. Obviously they failed.

No thanks to you. It seemed she couldnt quite control her impatience today, not even in the presence of a god.

And what would you have liked me to do had I been by your side? Did you have a torch I might have made burn brighter to scare the rebels away? I already explained to you that the full power of what I am is stifled in this incorporeal form.

Yes, you did explain that. She stood up so that she could gaze out her window at the open arena where fifty-three people, including Cleos friend Nic, had been killed. Patches of blood stained the ground. Actually, apart from a swelling in my fireplace in Limeros and a few lit candles, Ive seen no signs of your magic at all. Ive heard so much about the magic of the Kindred, so I must admit my disappointment.

I understand your impatience, little empress, as a mortals life is short, but I will caution you not to speak with such disrespect to me.

Amara tried very hard to keep a hold on her rising anger. I should return to Kraeshia to my grandmothers side to help her deal with the last traces of the revolution there. Shes old"she shouldnt have to take on so much responsibility at her age.

The ritual draws nearer than you might think. I have successfully gathered the pieces that we will need. We will need sacrifices, though. Blood will be necessary to strengthen this magic, since it does not come from the sorceress herself.

I have potential sacrifices waiting. She hated to hope, but his words made her heart clench. When do we begin?

When the storm comes, all will be revealed.

She was about to say something else, perhaps throw her goblet across the room with frustration and demand a plainer explanation, but a knock on the door interrupted her thoughts.

What is it? she snapped.

A guard opened the door and bowed low before her. Empress, Princess Cleiona of Auranos has arrived at the compound gates and has asked to see you. Do you wish to see her, or shall we throw her in the pit with the others?

Amara stared at him, not certain if shed heard him correctly.

Is she alone? she asked.

She has one Limerian guard with her.

And no one else?

No one else, empress.

I want to see her. Bring her to me immediately.

Yes, empress.

So it seems she did survive, Amara said under her breath. And after everything, shes come to me?

What did it mean? Cleo had to know that Amara would want her dead for what had happened between them last.

Princess Cleiona, Kyan said. I know this name. Ive seen her before. The sorceress despises her.

Im sure many people despise Cleo.

Do you believe her arrival here is a trick of some kind?

What do you think?

I want to know what you think.

Amara sent a dark glare in the direction of the disembodied voice. Im beginning to think that Cleo may prove to be of more use to me than you have. When this mysterious storm you speak of comes, please let me know.