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

“Yes, fine, Your Majesty,” Tarquin said, rolling his eyes.


Prea kissed him on the cheek before she left.


Tarquin sighed as the stable doors closed and the bright daylight was blocked by the wood. He sat again and drew up his knees, then wrapped Prea’s cloak around himself until he felt like a little tent, but this way he was at least warm.


He wormed his hand out and touched Five’s forehead the way Prea had. It felt cooler than the skin of Tarquin’s fingers, but not dangerously so. Maybe Five just ran cold, like a nereid. His skin was kind of nereidish, now Tarquin thought about it, though Five’s was pebbly and armorlike, and nereids were far more like the fishes they shared their world with. And nereids didn’t have Five’s thick wiry hair that looked like it belonged on a wolf pelt. Or those yellow eyes…


Chapter 28