AMARA.

PAELSIA.

Little empress.

The sound of Kyans voice surprised her, but Amara was relieved to hear it. Shed been certain hed left her after their disagreement yesterday.

Youre still here, she whispered. She sat in the small room adjacent to her bedchambers that shed turned into a meditation room, one empty of everything except the mat she sat upon.

The storm is nearly upon us. It is time for me to regain my power and for you to reap every reward you so greatly deserve.

Her heart leapt. The prisoners are waiting, she told him.

Excellent. Their blood will seal the ritual and make it permanent.

Amara pushed away all her remaining doubts, finding that there were very few. To second-guess herself now would be the ultimate weakness after all shed sacrificed for this day.

Wait for me outside with the water Kindred.

She agreed to this without hesitation.

Amara wanted Cleo with her, both for support and, if required, as an additional sacrifice. Together, they left the royal chambers and went outside to the direct center of the compound, where the pit was located. Amara instructed a dozen of her soldiers to surround it, half with crossbows aimed at the prisoners below.

Nothing could go wrong now.

Well, look whos come to visit. Felix peered up at her, shielding his one good eye from the bright sky that had only just begun to darken with storm clouds. The great and powerful empress. Come on down here, your grace. Id love a chance to catch up. Im sure your brother would too!

Amara reluctantly glanced at Ashur sitting next to Felix and the other rebel, Taran. Her brother looked up at her, not with rage or hate but with bottomless disappointment in his gray-blue eyes.

Sister, you can still change the path youve chosen, he said to her.

Unfortunately, you cant change yours, she replied. You never should have returned here.

I had no choice.

Theres always a choice. And I have made mine.

Gaius sat with his back against the side of the pit, his arms crossed over his chest. He said nothing at all, just looked up at her with that maddeningly blank expression of his. How sad it was to see the former king so defeated. How sad and yet how deeply satisfying.

There was also another young man at the bottom of the pit"one Amara vaguely recognized from the day Nerissa became her attendant. Enzo, she believed his name was.

Cleo peered down into the pit. Wheres Magnus?

When she realized that the prince wasnt with the others, Amara frowned and turned to a guard. Well? Where is he?

The guard bowed. It seems that he managed to slip away from us. There is a search being conducted, and I assure you that he will be found.

Magnus escaped? Cleo asked, breathless.

Amara tensed. Find him, she told the guard. Bring him here alive. I will hold you personally responsible if hes not found.

Yes, empress. The guard bowed before he rushed off.

He doesnt matter anymore, Amara said, mostly to herself. All is well.

Yes, little empress. All is well.

A moment after Kyan spoke, thunder rolled in the sky. The clouds continued to gather, growing darker by the second. The wind picked up, sweeping Amaras hair back from her shoulders.

So its a true storm, she said, her skin tingling with anticipation of what was to come.

Yes. Created from all the elements combined by powerful blood magic.

Two guards approached the pit with more prisoners that Amara hadnt expected.

Cleo gasped. Nic! Youre alive!

The boy was bloody, bruised, and disheveled, but it did appear that Cleos friend was still very much alive. Amara nodded at the guard, who released Nic long enough for Cleo to run straight into his embrace.

I thought you were dead! she cried.

I nearly was. But . . . I recovered.

Cleo took Nics face between her hands, staring as if unable to believe her own eyes. Im so unbelievably angry at you I want to scream!

Dont scream. I have a really bad headache. He gingerly touched the red mark on his temple.

How are you alive? Amara said she saw you die.

Believe it or not, its thanks to Lucia.

Amara was certain shed heard him wrong. The sorceress was here? she asked.

Nic turned a look of sheer hatred on her. Why? Are you afraid that shes going to bring this place crumbling down on top of you? We can only hope, cant we?

Amara was about to reply, or perhaps ask for his blood to spill early, but the other prisoner caught her eye.

Nerissa? She turned to her attendant with shock, then glared at the guard holding her in place. What is the meaning of this?

She assisted in Prince Magnuss escape, along with the boy, the guard explained. Together, they were trying to steal from your chambers.

Amara blinked with surprise as the news registered. Why would you do this to me? I thought wed become friends.

You thought wrong, Nerissa said. Im sure you wont believe anything I tell you right now, so I choose to say nothing at all.

You cannot trust anyone, little empress. This girl youd come to value managed to fool even you.

Amara raised her chin, the betrayal cutting deeper than she ever would have expected. Put this lying little bitch in with the others. And the other one too.

Amara! Cleo cried.

Hold your tongue"unless you want to join them, Amara snapped. And I promise, that would not be good choice for you to make today. Choose which side you wish to stand on, Cleo"mine or theirs?

Cleos chest heaved, but she didnt say another word as Nic and Nerissa were forced by guards to descend a rope ladder that lowered them into the pit.

Amara glanced over the edge to witness Ashurs reaction to Nics resurrection, wishing to focus on something other than Nerissas betrayal.

Youre alive, Ashur gasped.

I am, Nic replied tightly.

Ashurs eyes brimmed with tears as he sank down to his knees.

How weak youve become, brother, she thought with disgust and a whisper of sadness for all that had been lost between them.

Whats wrong with you? Nic asked Ashur, frowning.

You . . . I know you came after me, to try to talk me out of what I believed was right. And I . . . I thought you were dead.

Nic watched him warily. Seems to be a very common belief today. But Im not.

Ashur nodded. Its good.

Im glad that youre glad. Nics frown deepened. Honestly? I didnt think youd care one way or the other. Now, uh . . . He glanced around at the others in the pit nervously. Please stand up now.

Ashur did as requested, drawing closer to Nic. I know my behavior has been unforgiveable of late. I wanted to push everyone away . . . especially you. I didnt want you to get hurt. But I was wrong"wrong about everything. About myself, about my choices, about my destiny. I thought I was important.

You are important.

Im not the phoenix. I see that now. Ashur lowered his head, and his hair, loose from the piece of leather he used to tie it back, fell over his face. Please forgive me, Nicolo.

With a slight hesitation, Nic tucked the princes hair behind his ear. All of this is because you thought I was dead? I truly hate to break it to you, but today isnt looking so good for any of us.

Youre right. Life isnt guaranteed, not at any time, not for anyone. Every single day, every single moment, could be our last.

Uh, unfortunately, yes.

Ashur raised his gaze to meet Nics. Which means we must take what we want most in this short mortal life while we have the chance.

I completely agree.

Good. He put his hand behind Nics head and kissed him hard and deep. When he drew back, Nics cheeks were flushed nearly as red as his hair.

Ha! Felix said, jabbing his index finger at them. I knew it! I totally knew it!

Amara watched all of this, her heart heavy at seeing her brother finally admit his true feelings. She wasnt sure if it pleased her or if it made her sad. How lovely for you all. My brother does put on an excellent show, doesnt he?

Im not pretending to be something Im not, Ashur growled at her. Not anymore. Not like you.

Trust me, brother. Today, Im exactly who I was meant to be. She glanced at a guard. If you successfully captured Nicolo and Nerissa, where is Magnus?

The guard bowed his head. Detained elsewhere, your grace.

Where?

I fear I lost track of the guards who dragged him from your chambers. But I assure you, he is not a threat to you.

Perhaps not, but Amara would rather have all of her prisoners together in one place.

Well done, little empress. You show admirable strength today.

Amara wanted this over once and for all, wanted to finally move on from these sacrifices shed been forced to make all her life.

Im so glad you approve, Amara said, impatience rising within her as the first drop of rain fell from the dark gray clouds. Is it time to begin?

Yes, its time. She is finally here.

With another roll of thunder and a violent crack of lightning forking through the dark sky, a woman approached them, her black cloak flowing in the wind. Her guards parted to make way for her, collectively taking a step backward.

Is it Lucia? Amara asked tightly.

No, its not Lucia.

The woman who approached had a mature face and long gray hair with a white streak at the front. Her dark gray eyes, nearly black, scanned the guards and the edge of the pit, then fell upon Amara herself.

Lightning forked through the sky behind her.

Selia! Cleo managed. What are you doing here?

You know this woman? Who is she? Amara demanded.

This is Gaius Damoras mother, Cleo said, then gasped. Olivia!

Another woman trailed after Selia, a lovely one with dark skin and green eyes that darted around nervously.

Cleo, she said tightly. I . . . Im so sorry for this.

Sorry? Sorry for what?

The marks. Olivia extended her arms to show that her skin bore painted black symbols.

Yes, Selia said, nodding. Magical markings as old as time itself that will make even an immortal obey my command.

You are Gaiuss mother. Amaras thoughts spun. And you are also the witch that Kyan summoned here.