Her countrymen fighting against her.
Dying because of her.
And yet, she would not stop.
Not now. Not ever. Not until Malysa was defeated and Cyrene’s people had a place in this world.
Then she felt it.
Blood magic.
Not hers. Not even Kael’s.
She rose in the stirrups and let her gaze sweep beyond the soldiers at her feet. Which was when she saw that great wave of blood magic. A gasp rose from her lips. Kael hadn’t just been creating an army. He had been creating an army of sacrifice. These soldiers would feed the real troops waiting behind. The men and women he had converted to blood magic, who would now feast on their fallen brothers and sisters.
Cyrene was horrified.
She knew that Kael had tried to convert her to blood magic. But it was another thing to force an entire portion of his army to it. That cursed magic was stolen magic, and it fed on the soul. Those who used it for too long could have their soul fractured so completely that they could even lose it entirely. She was horrified.
And she hadn’t prepared for that.
She hadn’t expected to be fodder for more blood magic. And she would need to figure out how to stop them.
Then a soldier tried to unseat her from the saddle, and she was back in the fray. Right now, she had to just stay on her horse and drive the soldiers back. The rest would have to wait.
Cyrene burst back into the war council tent. “It’s been three days, and we have nothing to show for it.”
“These battles can take months. Sometimes years,” Joffrey said from where he stood over a map with little figurines on it.
She wanted to throw all his little pieces to the ground, hand him a sword, and see how he’d feel about months of this battle if he were on the front lines.
“He’s right,” Avoca said hastily. Blood smeared her fighting leathers. She must have been pulled for a reprieve only recently as it hadn’t fully dried yet. “We knew this wasn’t going to be easy. We’re going up against the might of Byern and Malysa.”
“I know it isn’t going to be easy,” she said in frustration. “But all we are doing is feeding their blood magic with every death. Making the enemy stronger each and every kill on both sides. And, without burning myself out, I have no idea how to make them stop.”
“I know,” Avoca said, tugging on the bond. “What we need to do is make a push to get through the line and start to take out their magical users. If we can drive through their front, then we can stop feeding their army.”
“Yes. That sounds like a plan,” Cyrene said. “We’ll get the strongest among us to drive through the forces and then take out the secondary army.”
“Except,” Brendt cut in, “putting all of the best magical users in one place makes you a target. And we’ve assessed their numbers. They have triple what we have. Maybe more. Pushing through the army would leave you surrounded, cutting you off from reinforcements.”
Cyrene wanted to growl at him. Of course, it was logical. What he’d said made sense. But it also felt like they were doing nothing while people died all around her.
“Cyrene, you’re back,” Vera said, appearing in the tent. She was covered in blood, too. Blood of the injured where she had been working with Lady Cauthorn to help the healers the best she knew how. She stopped when she saw Cyrene though. “Are you hurt?”
Cyrene looked down at her own blood-coated clothing. “No. It’s not mine.”
“How are you doing with that?” Vera asked.
“With what?”
“The blood magic. It must be excruciating to hold it back, especially with the other users on the field doing the same. Tempting.”
Cyrene tilted her head and thought about that. “I…I actually haven’t noticed. I mean, I realize when the second army is pulling in magic, I can sense it. But it hasn’t affected me.”
Vera raised her eyebrows. “Really?”
“Yeah…I hadn’t thought about it. I’m so focused on the battle.”
“What does this mean?” Avoca asked. “Is she cured?”
“I’m not sure,” Vera admitted. “Cyrene is unique in this instance. No one has ever come back from blood magic. Perhaps the diamond is protecting you or strengthening your resolve.”
Cyrene touched the diamond. “That could be. Also, ever since I helped Ahlvie, I’ve felt…I don’t know…it sounds strange.”
“What?” Vera asked.
“So…full of light?”
Vera smiled and then pulled Cyrene into a hug. “You are the Heir.”
Cyrene laughed. “We’re getting blood everywhere.”
Vera stepped back. “True. Well, I’m glad it’s not a problem. Let’s hope it stays that way by the time you face Malysa.”
“Agreed.” Cyrene sighed. “I’m just so frustrated about the rest. I haven’t even seen Kael yet. He’s hiding out in his castle, waiting for us to weaken so that he can drop in.”
“Wars aren’t won in a day,” Vera told her. “Killing Kael is only a piece of the puzzle. Malysa is still waiting at the finish line.”
Cyrene nodded. She knew as much. But patience had never been a strong suit of hers.
“Allow me to pass!” a voice rang out at the tent flap.
“Generals only.”
“I am a messenger. I have a note for Cyrene. For…the Domina.”
Cyrene knew that voice. She rushed past Avoca and Vera. “Rhea!” She pushed through the tent and found her friend there. She crushed her in a hug. “What are you doing here?” She drew her into the tent and lowered her voice. “I thought you were with Fenix.”
“He left with Kael weeks ago. I haven’t seen him. I’ve been spying in the castle in his absence.”
“That sounds horribly dangerous. What’s going on? What’s happening in the castle?”
“Kael and Elea have married.”
Cyrene froze. “Truly?”
She nodded. “Malysa appeared at the end of the ceremony with Kaliana and Alessia in tow…as a wedding gift.”
Cyrene’s stomach twisted. “No. Oh Creator!” She had already believed them dead…but this was so much worse. “Has he…”
“No,” Rhea said sharply. “Elea told me that he hasn’t killed them. He put them up in apartments with an armed guard at all times. I have no idea what he plans for them.”
“I do,” she said grimly. “Blood magic. That was the wedding gift.”
“But there’s more, Cyrene.” Rhea withdrew a folded piece of paper. “I hadn’t heard from Fenix in so long. And then I found this this morning. I did everything I could to sneak out of the castle and get this to you. I knew you had to get it right away.”
Cyrene took the slip of paper from her. Fear and unease settled in her gut.
She unfolded the note and saw that scribbled on the paper was what looked to be a bunch of gibberish. But, underneath it, Rhea had apparently decoded the message.
* * *
New creatures in mountains.
Need to destroy.
No time to wait.
She suspects me.