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. Great. I’ll be here,” he said as Prea jogged away down the tunnel.


He sighed in relief and closed his eyes.


Tarquin snapped awake in the castle’s sickroom because Prea was shaking him. He shivered, despite the thick walls and the roaring fire in the hearth and what seemed like twenty blankets pinning him to the bed. It felt like there was no blood left in his body.


Prea helped him push himself up since his arms were trembling, until he was sitting on the cot with his feet on the floor. “Are you all right? What happened?”


“I’m fine,” she said. Her eyes were wet, but she was beaming. “But you were unconscious when we came back for you. Faladir brought you here.”


“Faladir?” Tarquin gaped. “What?” He turned his head, frantically looking for him. “Fali?”


“I’m here, Quinny,” his brother said.


Chapter 84