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

He hoped Edonay and her neighbors in Ensi-Var were warm and safe, and wished the same for the shields who’d escorted the animist home and would still be traveling back to Kel. He tried to stop worrying about Ainya and Five.


The first servant he passed in the hallway confirmed Queen Isobel was in what they’d come to call the “War Room.” It was actually the castle’s biggest library, but it had the benefit of an enormous round table, which made it the default location for meetings. It also had a well-screened fireplace that was as large as the one in the kitchen, which made it an oddly pleasant place to contemplate their possible destruction.


Chapter 35