Page 4 of Ruin of Revenants

Umbryon, God of Night, give me strength.

Standing, I focused on my well of magic. Exhaustion clung to me like a cloak, stifling and concerning. Soon, I wouldn’t be able to wield an ounce of magic, let alone stand. I’d collapse from overuse and sheer weariness.

I’d taken one step when motion out of the corner of my eye put me on alert. A hand seized my ankle, yanking me nearly off my feet. Catching my balance, I looked down to find that the deceased soldier was staring at me with soulless eyes, his teeth bared in a snarl. Power nudged at me, strong and irresistible.

Without warning, shadows surrounded me and I was lifted into the air. Their icy touch was so intense it felt like my skin was on fire, searing into my bones. My stomach swooped; I kicked the air in vain. Below, the dead soldier rose to his feet, his empty gaze locked on mine, more shadows writhing around him. Though I’d fought an entire revenant army, something about seeing a fae I’d fought alongside while he’d been living, one I’d comforted in his final moments, now staring me down with an empty gaze was more unnerving.

Another shadow, forming tendrils like fingers, surrounded my throat and cut off my air. More slammed into my chest and spots flickered in my vision. My lungs burned. My hold on my magic failed. There were no emotions to manipulate in a corpse, and without my voice, I couldn’t issue any orders, either.

When I tried to stretch my hand toward where my sword was sheathed at my side, my limbs froze, the same invisible power strangling me in the air also keeping me immobile.

Not for the first time, I reached for the earth, all but pleading with it to accept me. In other kingdoms, the rulers were gods-blessed to wield the most powerful elemental magic in the land. They were connected to their kingdoms in profound ways, and that tether was passed down their lineage.

But Father was a usurper king and a monstrosity, even to me, and though his subjects recognized his authority, the land had not. Clearly, it hadn’t accepted me as the next ruler either.

Sudden fear swept over me that this was how I’d meet my end. Before, I’d managed to avoid being caught unawares, but now I couldn’t reach my sword hilt. This revenant, newly awakened, seemed stronger than the others somehow. Maybe whatever magic reanimated them was most powerful when they first rose.

I continued to kick and struggle as darkness clouded my world and my lungs started spasming uselessly. Not. Like. This. My fingers strained against the unseen force, desperate to draw that sword. If I could plunge the blade into the revenant, I could distract it enough to release me, and then I could decapitate it and end my soldier’s monstrous second existence.

But no. I couldn’t resist its magic by sheer force of will.

And then—shouts. Footsteps. A blade sang through the air, slicing the head clean off the revenant’s body.

Air poured down my throat, filling my lungs, and I collapsed to the earth in a muddy heap. The shadows dispersed as suddenly as they had formed. I nearly wept with joy as I breathed and stretched my limbs. Gathering my strength, I stood and faced Owen.

“Thank the gods I reached you in time,” he muttered. The revenant’s blood clung to his blade. I’d never been more relieved.

Half-choking on a laugh, I slapped him on the back. “I have a prophecy to fulfill and a kingdom to save. Clearly, they couldn’t spare me.”

Owen rolled his eyes, but his rare smile told me he was glad I was safe.

My expression turned solemn. “As soon as we finish destroying the bodies, we need to set up a perimeter of guards and send a messenger back to the king.” I wiped at my brow, glancing to where the storm clouds had thickened, blanketing the sky an ominous shade of grey. “He’s not going to be pleased.”

As soon as we entered the war room, General Starblood rose from his seat at the king’s right hand, his arms outstretched for his daughter. The twitch of irritation on Father’s face was evident, but he indulged the general and remained silent as Lily left my side to throw herself into her own father’s arms.

“You’re safe,” the general murmured, heaving a sigh of obvious relief.

For a moment, I allowed myself to wallow in self-pity as my gaze drifted to King Wystan’s orange stare. His grey-sheened skin and horns were a stark reminder of his troll blood.

“Sit,” he ordered, his eyes darting to the others who’d been summoned here almost immediately upon our return to the castle. Owen Stormveil, Captain of the Guard, and Grey Northwood, another faithful guard who was on my phoenix-hunting team. I recognized a few of my father’s closest advisors, ones I’d long imagined were either empty-headed or secretly enchanted to always agree with my father and cater to his every whim.

I plopped down into a seat, adopting the irreverent smirk that I knew irked Father most. It wasn’t the right attitude after the losses we’d sustained, but it was the only ammunition in my arsenal against him in the moment, when I could already feel his simmering disapproval.

“I’m surprised my dear sister isn’t here.”

King Wystan snorted. “She didn’t find your little skirmish worth her time.”

She’s bored of the fighting and off dallying with one of her admirers. If anyone else had thought this while meeting the king’s gaze, his mind magic would have read it easily, but being his own blood, I had natural immunity against his power. Unfortunately, that meant he was also unaffected by my magic.

“And frankly,” Father went on, “it wasn’t worth anyone’s time. I’ve already heard the initial reports. The casualties we took are an embarrassment. You are an embarrassment. I indulge you with leading a regiment against the revenants, and this is what you do with the privilege?” He slammed his hand on the table.

At my side, Owen stiffened. I didn’t miss the way he kept his eyes averted from the king. Across from us, General Starblood and Lily exchanged a glance.

Embarrassment. Not tragedy. Nothing on how we will assist the towns with their losses or notify the soldiers’ families.

“Crown Prince, and this is the leadership you show them?” Father spat.

I was still smiling stupidly, like I was immune to pain. Like this was all a jest. He didn’t care about the casualties, not this monstrous male who’d slain his predecessor to claim power, snuffed out every resistance and rebellion against his rule, and now executed anyone whose thoughts displeased him. He didn’t fear the growing revenant threat when Rainsong itself was protected by a magical barrier that only permitted those who were welcomed to pass through it.