Brother, we have a problem, Olivia, now possessed by the earth Kindred, growled. The others are ready, and time is running out. How do we finish the ritual without a witch to help us?

As if in reply, the white wisp of magic shot toward its chosen host and disappeared into Tarans chest. He gasped and fell to his knees.

Before Cleo could say a word, cry out, or stagger away from the rebel, the blue wisp was right in front of her.

It felt as if she had been hit by a thirty-foot wave, knocking her backward and choking her on its salt water.

The water Kindred had chosen her as its vessel.

Cleo stared upward at the stormy sky, the rain falling upon her as she fought to retain control over her body. She knew she couldnt weaken now, but how was she supposed to fight against a god?

We will return to fix this, Kyan roared with anger before he turned into a column of flame and shot out of the pit. Olivia, casting a hateful glare at Cleo, crumbled as if made from dirt and disappeared into the ground.

Taran was at Cleos side, helping her to sit up.

She stared at him, confused. Taran . . .

Are you still you? he asked. When she didnt answer, he shook her roughly. Answer me. Are you still you?

She managed to nod. I"Im still me.

So am I. Taran frowned and held out his right hand. A simple spiral"the mark of air magic"was on his palm, as if branded there.

Cleo looked down at her left palm to see the two parallel wavy lines that created the water symbol.

The witch was killed before she could make it permanent with us, she said. We have the elemental magic inside of us, but we havent lost our minds or our souls.

He searched her face, his brows knitting together. Do you really think so?

She shook her head, her mind a jumble of confusion. I dont know. I dont know anything for sure right now.

Cleo searched for Magnus again, peering up at the edge of the pit and hoping he would suddenly appear. When he didnt, she held her hand out to Taran. Help me up.

Taran did as she asked. What happens now?

The rain still poured down on them. New guards arrived and stared down at the group at the bottom of the pit.

Empress? one asked tentatively.

Amara tore her shocked gaze from Cleo, a deep frown creasing her forehead, and looked up at the men. Get us out of here.

The guards brought a ladder that sank into the mud at the bottom of the pit. One by one, the group silently exited. With her broken leg, Amara required two guards to physically assist her.

Kyan wanted everyones blood to spill, Amara said at the top, her tone void of any discernable emotion. That, with the witchs magic, would have made the ritual permanent.

And you agreed to that"to killing us all, Felix said, his hands fisted. Why am I not surprised?

Amara flinched. It didnt happen, did it?

No thanks to you, he said, scowling. Dont worry, Ill make sure you pay for what you did here today.

So, what does it mean? Nerissa asked. Enzo stood protectively beside her, his hand at her waist. None of what the witch did is permanent? Not even with Nic and Olivia?

Amara shook her head. I dont know.

You stopped me, Cleo said to Ashur, who hadnt said a word since theyd exited the pit.

You were going to stab Nicolo. I couldnt allow that.

Hes lost, her voice broke. Hes gone.

Do you know that for sure? His expression hardened. I dont. And if theres a way, I will bring him back to us. Do you hear me?

All she could do was nod, hoping desperately that he might be right.

The king was the last to climb out of the pit.

Where is my son, Amara? he asked.

I dont know that either, Amara said.

Magnuss continued absence wasnt right. He should have been found by now.

You have to find him, Cleo managed, fresh panic swirling inside of her.

I will, Amara said.

Yet you dont sound like you give a damn. Listen to me carefully: You need to find him.

Hes likely dead, Amara said bluntly. Then she choked and started spitting up mouthfuls of water. What"what are you doing?

Cleo realized that her hands were clenched at her sides so tightly that her nails dug into her palms. She felt like she was spinning. She forced her left hand open to see that the water symbol had begun to glow.

Water magic. The water Kindred was inside of her, but not in control of her actions.

She felt something warm under her nose and touched it to realize that it was blood.

The power of a god within the form of a mortal, Gaius said with awe. Without the full ritual to finalize it . . . it is a dangerous position for you to be in, princess. And you as well, Taran. But youre right: We must find my son.

Nerissa stepped forward, tentatively taking Cleos hand in hers and squeezing it. Cleo met her anguished gaze.

I saw a guard hit him, princess, she whispered, shaking her head. He hit the prince hard and then dragged him away. I . . . I fear that Amara might be right. Im so sorry.

Cleo stared at her friend, her eyes burning. No, she managed. No, please no. That cant be true. It cant be.

Taran and Felix shared a worried look. The rebel uneasily glanced down at his own palm that bore the air magic symbol.

What do you care of Magnuss fate, Cleo? Amara asked, her voice holding a tremor that Cleo had never heard before. I thought you hated him.

Youre wrong, I dont hate him, Cleo managed softly. Then stronger: I love him. I love Magnus with all my heart. And I swear, if hes . . . dead . . . if Ive lost both Nic and Magnus today . . . Her voice broke as she raised her gaze, seeing that the others now watched her with fear in their eyes. The bottomless sensation of cool, powerful water magic flowed just beneath the surface of her skin, as if waiting to be unleashed. I dont think this world will survive my grief.

CHAPTER 33.

MAGNUS.

PAELSIA.

Magnus blinked his eyes open, frowning with confusion at the aching pain in his arms. It took him a moment before he realized that he was vertical. His arms were raised above his head, shackled and chained to the ceiling.

He was in a dark room lit only by a few torches.

He wakes. Finally. I was about to send for some smelling salts.

He frowned, not understanding. Still dizzy.

Greetings, my old friend. The voice was familiar. Painfully familiar.

And then he understood all too well.

Kurtis, Magnus said, tasting coppery blood in his mouth. How delightful to see you again.

Ah, you say the words, yet deep in my heart I know youre lying. The former grand kingsliege walked a slow circle around Magnus, a smug smile on his thin lips.

What did you do with Nerissa and Nic?

Dont worry about them, old friend. Worry about yourself.

Magnus tried to summon a sense of where he was, casting a look around the room. It was difficult, since one of his eyes was swollen shut.

I saw your lovely wife earlier, Kurtis said. She didnt see me, of course. Given how we last left things between us, I feel like Cleo might still be cross with me.

Dont you dare speak her name, Magnus growled.

Kurtis stopped in front of Magnus and cocked his head, still smiling that damned smile of his. Cleo. Cleo, Cleo, Cleo. Do you know what Im going to do to her? I would love it, truly love it, if you could be there to watch.

He leaned closer and whispered in Magnuss ear a list of horrors that would cause anyone"man or woman"to beg for death long before such a relief finally came.

I swear to the goddess, Magnus said, I will kill you long before you lay a single finger upon her.

I thought I might be getting close enough to do just that, with our archery lessons. I know you watched us. Was that jealousy in your eyes? It seems the rumors of hatred between the two of you are far from true, arent they? Yet what do you care about her fate anymore? She betrayed you for a chance to align with the empress.

I wouldnt give a damn if she betrayed me to align with every demon in the darklands, I will still kill you if you even look at her again.

Yet, in your current predicament, Kurtis glanced up at the chains, Id really, really like to see you try.

You wish to torture me? Some sort of retribution for what I did to you?

Oh, yes, I wish to torture you. And then I wish to kill you very slowly. He raised the stump where his hand used to be. And I would advise you to save your breath rather than beg for your life. Youll need it for all the screaming youll do.

Part of Magnus, deep inside, knew the truth of what he saw in Kurtiss eyes. There would no mercy here. But Magnus Damora would not beg for his own life.

I would make a better living ally than a dead enemy, he said instead. Remember, you are currently a Limerian in the center of thousands of Kraeshians and tens of thousands of Paelsians.

Kurtiss lips peeled back from his teeth as his sinister smile widened. One problem at a time, my old friend. Tell me, when you returned to the palace and displaced me from the throne, I could have sworn you had a broken arm. Was it your little sorceress sister who healed it for you?

Perhaps I have a few tricks of my own that you dont know about, Magnus bluffed.

I hope so. I sincerely do. Kurtis glanced at two Kraeshian guards who had been behind him in the shadows. Break both of his arms, if you would. And, I think, his right leg.

The guards moved forward without hesitation.

Kurtis, Magnus said, his eyes glancing between the kingsliege and the approaching guards. You think youll kill me here today and no one will know about it?

Today? You think Ill kill you today? No. Your death should take quite enough time for you to suffer very nicely. He nodded. See you soon.

Magnus swore to himself that he wouldnt beg. He wouldnt plead.

But Kurtis had been right about the screaming.

When Magnus opened his eyes, he could see a sliver of the moon above him in the dark sky. Consciousness meant he was alive, but it also brought with it ceaseless pain from the injuries inflicted upon him by Kurtiss sadistic orders.

Where was he? Outside, yes. He was outside if he could see the moon. And he was still in Paelsia, since the chill in the air matched neither the bracing cold of Limeros nor the warmth of Auranos.

He realized that he lay in a box made of wood. What is this? he managed.

Youre awake, Kurtis said, and his loathsome face appeared above Magnus. You do sleep very soundly. Like the dead, I might say.

I . . . I cant move.

I would imagine not. Youre in terrible shape, my friend. Strong, though. Ive watched that kind of torture as it killed men and women alike. Well done.

You are a lord and a kingsliege, Kurtis. A born Limerian. Youre also a pathetic, weasely little shit, but you have to see that what youre doing is wrong. Theres still time to stop this.

All these compliments, Magnus, theyre going to my head. I never liked you, but I tolerated you because of your fathers power. Now that is gone, along with my hand. All for following orders. Kurtiss eyes bugged as his face reddened. Tell me, is the rumor true that you have a fear of small, enclosed spaces?

No, thats not true.

I imagine it will be true soon enough. Kurtis smirked. Ill cherish this moment for the rest of my life, my old friend. Farewell to you.