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

“I’m sure she’s just as worried about her younger son,” Prea added pointedly.


Tarquin didn’t answer, though he supposed it was true. His mother had always been exceptionally forgiving. “You’ve been busy,” he said as they got close to the stable. The doorframe and its large wooden doors had been fixed. Except for the mismatched color of the wood, it looked like nothing had happened.


Ainya shrugged. “It gave my shields something to do besides gathering the dead.”


“Of course,” Tarquin murmured as he went inside, grateful he’d slept through that. “Oh, it’s freezing in here!” The stable was terribly cold, even without the bite of the wind. He automatically conjured a hearth light for each of them, wishing the bright globes gave off heat as well. But making heat required magery, and he wouldn’t make himself bleed for trivial comforts. “I can’t imagine Five spending days in this kind of cold.”


Chapter 21