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

Ainya laughed as she strode to the stable doors and shoved them open. “Hey, Five!” she bellowed into the darkness. “You ready to go hunting?”


Five sauntered to the door, carrying the full bag of stew dishes and the empty one that had held his clothes. His nearly white tail curved up behind him like he was the prince of cats. He squinted as soon as he came near the light, but he gave them both a nod and a sharp-toothed smile as he handed the bags to Ainya. As soon as his hands were free, he pulled up the hood of Prea’s cloak to shade his eyes.


“Of course you are,” Tarquin said. He rolled his eyes to cover how upset he was. “Trust shields to always be ready to prance off to their likely death.”


Five chuffed a laugh as if Tarquin was trying to be funny, then he threw his arm across Tarquin’s shoulders in a quick side hug that was brotherly and very, very annoying.


Chapter 32