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

Edonay saw where Tarquin was looking and sighed. “I couldn’t change one scrap of metal back to skin.”


“You did everything you could,” Tarquin said, which probably sounded trite despite how he’d meant it. He’d heard the last part of the spell, after all, and knew how much power she’d put into it. “Would it have…worked better if you hadn’t come here?”


Edonay looked puzzled, then scowled. “Aye—leaving you and Ainya to die would’ve made all the difference in the world. If only that miserable lizard-creature hadn’t come to lead us here.” She glared over the rim of her bowl as she sipped.


“Sorry.” Tarquin cleared his throat, then drank more tea. “How did he even know to find you?” he asked after he swallowed. “Is he really all right?”


Chapter 19