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!” Tarquin pulled his hand down and nodded eagerly. “Yes. Friends. We’re friends.”


Edonay’s smile was somehow warm and disbelieving all at once. “Oh yes. I can certainly see how he’d let himself near freeze to death for hours on end for you. Purely out of friendship.”


Tarquin smiled weakly back. “Well, I don’t, uh, actually remember him doing that.”


“You’ll have to ask him, then,” Edonay said primly before she spoiled it by winking. “I’m sure he’d be happy to show you. As a friend.”


Tarquin drank more tea so he wouldn’t have to answer. Edonay seemed to find that terribly funny, too.


After all the tea, Tarquin definitely needed to use the nearby water closet, and he tried not to worry about how much he had to lean on Edonay simply to get there. He also did his best to ignore her hovering just outside to make sure he wouldn’t faint and kill himself while using the toilet.


Chapter 53