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

“I know.” Tarquin rubbed his palm up and down Five’s back, trying to be his comfort now. He hadn’t really done this before, and it startled him that he could feel every nub and edge of Five’s spine, even through his clothes. The bones seemed ridged, like an animal’s. “You’re so thin.”


Tarquin sighed as he kept rubbing Five’s back. He slid one hand up the nape of Five’s neck, into his hair. It was definitely soft now it was clean, but it still felt like thick wolf fur rather than anything human. It was another part of Five’s mysterious past, and as unique as the rest of him.


Only Five wasn’t supposed to be like this. This wasn’t Five’s true form, and Tarquin would never be able to fix it. Just like he hadn’t fixed Faladir.


“Maybe Prea and Edonay can find a way to turn you back into what you should be. After,” he said.


Five shook his head and held Tarquin a little more tightly.


“I wish it could be me, too,” Tarquin said. “I wish we had more time.”


Chapter 71