When you left, he followed, she said evenly. He was here at the compound when a riot broke out.

And what? Ashur asked softly.

And . . . hes dead. It sounded far too horrible to put into words, but she had to. She wanted to twist the words into Ashur to see if this prince was truly made of steel, someone who didnt give a damn whom he hurt or used or left behind.

No. Ashur shook his head, his brows drawing together. No, that cant be.

Its true. Amara nodded. I saw it happen.

You said it yourself, Cleo said, her throat tight. The confirmation stole away any hope she had left that this had been a lie. Anyone who truly cares for you ends up dead. I cant imagine youre all that surprised.

No, Ashur said again as he pressed the back of his hand to his mouth and squeezed his eyes shut.

Oh, please, Ashur. Amara flicked her hand dismissively. You barely knew that boy! Youre trying to tell me youre upset by this news?

Shut your mouth! Cleo roared at her, surprising herself with her own sudden ferocity. Amara stared at her, shocked. He was my friend, my best friend. I loved him, and he loved me. He was my family, and because of you and your brother hes dead!

Because of us, is it? Amara repeated, her voice low. Did you even try to stop him from chasing after my brother like a pathetic, discarded lover from his past?

I didnt know until he was already gone!

Perhaps you should have been keeping a better watch over someone you proclaim to have loved.

Cleo lurched toward her, wanting to tear every piece of hair from her head, but Ashur was behind her, holding her arms and keeping her in place.

She struggled, as shed done earlier with the guards, wanting to claw at the princes face too. Let go of me!

Violence is not the answer to violence, he said, finally releasing her to point at a chair. Sit and be silent, unless you wish to be removed from this room.

Cleo did the best she could to compose herself, cursing the day these horrible siblings had never set foot on Mytican soil.

You want to know why Im alive, Sister? Ashur said, his teeth clenched. Because I learned what happened to you as a child. I know our father tried to kill you. And Im not deaf or blind; I have heard you and Grandmother speaking to each other, planning what was to come and deciding who was in the way. When I felt that my life might be at risk, even though I didnt entirely believe you would do such a thing"not to me"I went to visit Grandmothers apothecary . . .

A warm breeze moved over Cleos bare arms.

My, my, this is quite dramatic, isnt it, little queen? a voice whispered in her ear.

She gasped.

It would be best not to react to me. Wouldnt want to interrupt the prince and princess"or is that emperor and empress?"during their long-awaited reunion.

Cleo kept her gaze on Amara and Ashur as Ashur explained why hed been resurrected and how he believed himself to be the legendary, peace-bringing phoenix.

Who are you? she whispered.

Shh. Dont speak. Amara will be very jealous if she knows Im talking to other pretty girls behind her back. But perhaps I dont care what she thinks of me anymore. She has been a disappointment to me, now that the storm draws closer. He paused. I am the god of fire, little queen, released from my prison at long last.

Cleo began to tremble.

You dont have to be afraid of me. I see now that I overlooked so much at our last brief meeting. My attention was more on Lucia and her brother and my search for a special, magical wheel. But you . . . your eyes . . .

Warmth touched her face, and her muscles tensed.

Theyre the color of aquamarine. The very color of my sisters crystal orb. Please nod if you understand me.

She gave a shallow nod, barely breathing now.

There is power hidden deep within you, little queen. And a desire for more. Do you know that youre descended from a goddess? Would you like me to give you all the magic youve ever dreamed of possessing?

Cleo knew very well what Kyan had done to Lysandra and what he and Lucia had done to many villages in Paelsia. Despite her fear and her hate for this creature she couldnt see, there seemed to be no other answer at the moment that would satisfy him and ensure shed remain unharmed.

So she nodded.

Amara is unworthy, I see that now. She is only after power for herself, yet she fools herself that she aspires for more than her father did. However, you would sacrifice yourself to save those you love, wouldnt you?

Cleo forced herself to nod again, even as a shiver went up her spine. What dark promise was she making?

Did the fire Kindred truly see something in her, something special and powerful and worthy of possessing true magic?

Perhaps her wish had finally come true.

I will return with the storm. Its so close now, little queen. Tell no one about what Ive said to you. Dont disappoint me.

The warmth that had made her start to perspire faded away, and she realized Amara was speaking to her.

Cleo, she said. Can you hear me?

Y-yes, yes. I can hear you.

Did you also hear what Ashur has suggested?

No, she admitted.

He believes that together, he and I can rule Kraeshia peacefully. What do you think? Is this a good plan?

Cleo found herself momentarily speechless at the thought of it, but then something began to rise in her throat"a laugh. Pardon me for saying so, Amara, but thats a preposterous plan. Two people cannot rule equally. Its impossible.

Amaras brows shot up. I appreciate your candor.

I deeply disagree, Ashur growled.

Cleo rose from her chair, drawing from her outrage and grief and need to survive to make her stronger. Where is it, Ashur?

He frowned. What?

What you stole from me.

I stole nothing from you. The princes jaw tightened. I know you blame me for Nicolos death. I also blame myself. If I could go back and do things differently, I would.

Starting when? When you took the resurrection potion or when you forced Nic to kiss you that night in Auranos? Both were regretful mistakes, in my opinion.

Vicious, heartless words dont become you, princess. Ashur turned to his sister. The decision is in your hands, Amara, and I know youll make the correct one. Ive come here to show you another path than the one youre on. A better path.

You have. Amara nodded. I could choose the path to being kind, sweet, nice, and more agreeable, like all good girls should be, right?

You speak with sarcasm, but a gentler outlook might achieve more than you believe it would. We can rule Kraeshia together or I shall rule alone as emperor.

If you think Id agree to that, Brother, then you really dont know me at all. Guards!

Cleos wide-eyed gaze shot to the door as several guards entered the room, looking between Ashur and Amara, uncertain where to place their attention.

Amara pointed at Ashur. My brother has confessed to conspiring with the rebel who murdered our family. He wishes to help the rebellion tear apart the Kraeshian Empire my father built.

Ive done no such thing, Ashur said, outraged.

Wrong, Cleo spoke up, disgusted by Ashurs lies. He had hidden the Kindred somewhere, keeping it for his own gain. He did confess. I heard it myself.

Ashur turned a look of pure fury on her.

While shed hoped Ashur might talk some sense into Amara, that seemed to be a wish in vain. Amara had the ruthlessness that Ashur lacked. She was the predator, and Ashur, be it today or a year from now, would succumb to being her prey again.

Even if it was only a temporary ruse, Cleo had to align herself with strength, now more than ever before.

She had to align with Amara.

Not so peaceful now, are you, Ashur? Cleo asked steadily. Funny how that can change so quickly.

Put him with the other prisoners, Amara told the guards.

Amara! Ashur snarled. Do not do this!

The empresss expression remained calm. You came here to proudly tell me that youre the phoenix legend speaks of, but youre wrong. I am the phoenix. She nodded at the guards. Take him away.

The guards forced Ashur from the room as Amara sat down heavily in her chair.

You lied about Ashur to the guards, she said.

Cleo could barely believe it herself. I did.

He could have taken everything from me: my title, my power. Everything. All because hes my older brother.

Yes, he could have. Cleo kept her gaze steady. So now what do you plan to do with me?

To be honest, I havent decided yet.

Cleo bit her bottom lip, trying to stay confident in the face of so much uncertainty. Do you really believe that youre the phoenix?

Amara raised an eyebrow. Does it really matter?

A guard lingered at the doorway. When Amaras gaze went to him, his shoulders straightened. Empress, I have information for you.

Amara flicked him an impatient look. What is it?

The rebels have been captured. They await interrogation.

Cleo felt faint. Was it Jonas and Felix? Taran? Who else?

Cleo, I want you to come with me to question them, Amara said. I want you to prove to me that you may"just may"be able to earn a small portion of my trust once again. Will you do that?

The fire god had made her a tantalizing promise. But would she turn her back on Jonas, Felix, and Taran if it meant that she could get her throne back?

And if not, was there a way she might convince Amara to release them before she had a chance to steal the Kindred back from her?

There wasnt time to make such decisions now, not about something so important. All she could do was buy as much time as possible.

Cleo nodded. Of course Ill do that, empress.

CHAPTER 29.

MAGNUS.

PAELSIA.

Magnus and Gaius spent the entire day shackled like common prisoners in the back of a wagon that journeyed west from Basilia. Magnus knew exactly where they were headed, and when they finally reached Chief Basiliuss former compound at dusk, he wasnt certain that they would ever witness another sunrise.

Amaras small but impressive army surrounded the perimeter of the compound, and Magnus and his father were ushered through the gates by the guards. Once inside, they were half shoved, half dragged down a narrow, winding corridor and placed in a room with stone walls and no furniture. Guards attached new shackles to their ankles. There was nothing to do but sit and wait on the bloodstained floor.

The door had a lock on it, and it only opened from the other side.

Yes, Magnus thought, this definitely qualifies as a dungeon.

I didnt want this, the king said after they were left alone.

No? You didnt want us chained up and left to Amaras whim? Ive heard about how Kraeshians deal with prisoners. It makes your treatment of them seem almost benevolent.

This isnt the end for us.

Thats very amusing, Father. It feels like it is. You know what would be very helpful right now? A witch to help us out. But you chased her away too, didnt you?

I did. And I dont regret it. My mother is an evil woman.