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

There were a few indrawn breaths in response. The emissary from Ensi-Var just closed her eyes and nodded.


“What about the dragons?” another visitor asked. She nervously fingered the large gold pendant hanging from her neck, but it was too far away for Tarquin to recognize the symbol of her canton. “I thought the dragons were going to stop them.”


Five made a soft noise of distress and Tarquin looked at him. His light gray face had gone bone white with misery, and his tail thrashed like a banner in high wind.


“What happened to the dragons?” Tarquin asked, now dreading the answer.


“They’re gone,” Ainya said with brutal finality. “Run off or killed. We found some bodies, but far too few to account for all of them.”


“What killed them?” Camma demanded. “I thought the haldur were terrified of the dragons because of their fire.”


Chapter 57