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 bellowed a war cry and then leaped over Tarquin to slam into Faladir, carrying them both down into the snow.


“Move!” she yelled as she struggled to keep Faladir from standing.


Tarquin struggled to his knees. He could hear the ringing of metal armor as the other soldiers closed on the golem, helping Ainya keep Faladir down.


“Go, Tarquin!” she yelled, right before the golem wrenched his arm away from another castle guard and tossed Ainya aside as if she weighed nothing. Faladir lifted his arms up and sent out more jets of scalding-hot steam. Soldiers screamed and fell back. The golem sat straight up and dislodged the last of the fighters clinging to him. He climbed to his knees.


Ainya had regained her feet. She unsheathed her sword and swung it two-handed into the golem’s neck, aiming for the spot the watchwoman had hit. The dent got bigger, and the golem made a grinding noise as if it hurt, but then he grabbed Ainya’s blade and crumpled it like tin.


Chapter 49