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An Eprothan ship was moving closer to shore. But unlike the others farther north of us, it didn’t appear to be docking to add soldiers to Regner’s lines.

No, this ship was tauntingly close for a whole different reason.

Tied to the mast of the ship hung the brutalized body of one of the sea serpents that had guarded our kingdom for so many years.

Just months ago, I’d stood entranced, watching one of these magnificent creatures glide through the water, surfacing only to showcase its huge wings. It had stared back at me with intelligent gold eyes that seemed to see deep into my soul.

My stomach lurched. My heart cracked. My entire body tightened, until all I could hear was the liquid churning in my ears.

Was this the same serpent? Or was it one of its family members? Perhaps a friend?

These majestic water beasts had prevented Regner from invading my kingdom for all these years. And now his people were enjoying their petty revenge.

My rage was endless, as if it might swallow me whole.

But rage required energy. Required hope. And I was gradually becoming drained of such things.

I should have understood what Regner was really doing. By the time we knew his plan, it was too late.

What would happen when Conreth arrived, only to find all of us already dead?

How would Rythos go on without his brothers, if hewas even still alive?

And Madinia… Regner and Rothnic would make her death horrifying if they found her after this.

“Your Majesty. Nelayra!”

Blynth again. I slowly turned my head, meeting his eyes.

The general flinched.

But he lifted his hand, pointing.

One of Regner’s soldiers had been planted in the front lines. Only he was safely protected by a ward so thick, it shimmered in the sunlight. Surrounding him was a group of humans who were clearly meant to be little more than fodder.

The soldier wore a stripe of red beneath the gold on his helmet—clearly some designation Regner had created. He raised one gauntleted arm, and when he pointed, our soldiersmelted.

Skin and bones liquefied, until where—until a moment ago—living, breathing people had been fighting for their lives, there was now nothing more than puddles of blood andother things,leaking beneath empty silver armor.

Behind me, I heard retching.

But I caught the moment Galon’s head whipped to the right, toward the soldier.

Exactly where Demos was already aiming from the left, his sword carving a path through anyone who dared get in his way.

I’d wanted more than this for my brother. I think he’d wanted more than this for himself. And yet there was no question that a part of him came alive on the battlefield.The most savage, vicious part.

Galon and Demos had never fought together. Oh, they might have sparred once or twice, but nothing that could explain the way Demos instinctively aimed for the humans between the soldier wielding death and Galon— still footspans away.

He took them down in two blows in such quick succession, it seemed almost as if they’d simply tripped and fallen. Just in time for Galon to slam his power into the remaining soldiers protecting their target. The ward glowed, fighting Galon’s magic. But Demos had gotten close enough.

Just as that gauntleted arm came up once more.

I didn’t hesitate. Yanking on my power, I froze time for the barest moment. Just long enough for Demos to slash out with his sword, removing the threat for good.

The soldier’s head rolled free from his body. Galon and Demos both looked my way, wearing identical snarls.

Time resumed.