Page 116 of Born of Starlight
The realm wouldn’t just be in political ruin. It would lay inruin.
Finally, I understood for certain why no path led me here, why no conjuring in the moonstone would allow me to see my fate. It would always end in death for me.
A thousand what-could-have-beens raced through my mind.
Living a quiet life with Fenris in a cabin by a riverbed.
Visiting with Emmerick and Sybilla in Luz and watching their children grow.
Dancing through every court.
Seeing every sunrise with renewed appreciation for the light.
I turned my attention to Emmerick. My brother,in a way.The son of the enchantress who raised me with love and kindness that she should have had the opportunity to extend to him. But she couldn’t because of Firose. I seethed for him—to lack such a bond.
“And you, heir of the North Corridor.” Firose followed my gaze to Emmerick, her elbow leaning against the hearth mantle. “What better Queen to rule with than one who has already been controlling the North Corridor for centuries? You may even grow to like me in time. No one will refute my claim to a crown if you are by my side.”
Emmerick stared blankly at Firose—he had reacted to so little.What horrors had he endured while I was unconscious? What truths had he faced alone?
The risk of Fen’s death, her ending up with my starlight andher rule over the North Corridor made me dizzy. I could only control two out of those three evils. As she returned to mixing the Skei remedy, my mind settled on the solution.
Fighting a groan against every step closer to Emmerick, I finally reached him and knelt. I glanced down at his pant leg, pleading with any Source willing to listen that he had the one weapon he was never without. I felt around for the green vial in the pocket of Fen’s cloak—relieved when my fingers found the cool, smooth glass.
“I request the presence of Lady Angeline,” I softly said as hot pressure built behind my eyes.
His expression crumbled, realizing what I was asking. Our exchange hadn’t caught Firose’s interest yet.
I whispered, “Now. Then unbind my hands. Cut them off if that’s what it takes.”
“Asterie,” Emmerick pleaded, but the blood oath caused him to reach for his blade anyway.
I slid the green vial from my pocket, popped the cork lid and downed the tonic. It would not save me, but I hoped it would slow the process enough for me to save Fen.
“Falling by your hand is the most honorable way I can leave this world.” I met his eyes with a reassuring intensity. “Em, it’snowor never.”
Angeline’s ruby-gilded hilt caught the light of the lamps in the foyer.
“No!” Firose’s shriek rang through the tower.
But it was too late. Emmerick used the precision of years of training to pierce my heart and fulfill the awful blood oath he’d made with me.
Firose hesitated to cross the room as though her feet were stuck to the ground.
In another swift motion, Emmerick rose and crushed the cuffs that bound my wrists beneath his boot—my bones broke between the cuffs, but my magic was finally free.
The tonic afforded me only a few moments of consciousness to do what needed to be done.
“You!” Firose was upon Emmerick now, and I heard footsteps on the tower stairs.
The last thing I saw was Firose’s hands igniting in flames, she pressed them against Emmerick’s chest and forced him against the wall, away from me. The singed smell of his skin and his cry of agony filled the air.I’m sorry, too. So sorry.
I willed Fen’s power out of me with every ounce of energy that remained.
Release our hands from the ropes that bind us.
Unshackle our legs once twined—allow them to roam free.
Sever the ties holding our bodies together.
