Twenty-year-old Tarquin is smart, tactless, and braver than he knows. He's also been Mage of the Realm of Kelor for two years, taking the title from his mother after she died protecting Kelor from a terrible threat. Mages, unlike all other magicians, give their blood in exchange for far more powerful magic. Unfortunately for the Mage of the Realm, there's always the chance one day Kelor will need magic of such potency that a mage will have to give not just their blood, but their life. Tarquin's mother already made this sacrifice, and Tarquin knows it's likely also his fate. While on a quest to heal his brother, who is dying because of Tarquin's reckless mistake, Tarquin is attacked by a horrific, flesh-eating monster. He's saved by an enigmatic and mute young soldier, called "Five", who is cursed with a terrifying appearance that conceals the heart of a knight. There's an almost instant attraction between the two men, but no time to explore it. The monster's attack is the harbinger of a new invasion. With Kelor helpless, the realm's only hope lies with Tarquin. Just as he feared, his sole choice is to sacrifice himself the way his mother did, in exchange for magic strong enough to destroy the coming evil. He's prepared to give up his life to save the realm, but before the battle is over, he'll be faced not just with his own death, but the death of everyone he cares about. Including the cursed soldier he's come to love.

Blood for Magic

All the noise behind the door cut off at once. The sudden silence was worse than Faladir’s screaming had been.


“Fali!” Tarquin strained against Ainya’s hold, but the woman was like iron. It didn’t help that she’d rolled on top of him on the floor, pinning him facedown with her weight.


“Stop it, stop it.” Ainya trapped his flailing legs with her own. It was like when they would play-wrestle as children, which gave Tarquin an idea.


He set off a burst of hearth magic light right in front of her eyes. That had almost always worked when they were fledglings, and it did again now. Ainya grunted in pain, and the moment of distraction was enough for Tarquin to finally break free. He lurched to his feet, just in time to nearly crash into Prea as she swung the door open and came through.


Chapter 16