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

They left soon after Five and Ainya, and rode as fast as they could, stopping only long enough to stomp feeling back into their legs and keep the horses from suffering. They camped at night, but otherwise they ate and drank as they traveled. Despite the wagon trundling behind them, they were able to get to Castle Kel in nine days instead of the twelve it had taken to Ensi-Var. Of course by the time they arrived, Tarquin was close to wishing more haldur would attack, because being dead would put him out of his misery.


All he wanted was to have a bath, eat something warm, and then sleep for the rest of his life. But he was a crownling and Mage of the Realm, and he would never crawl off to his rooms while his city likely had to prepare for war.


Chapter 34