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Myerdoth pops his head in through the window. “Guards are approaching. They aren’t aware of our presence, but we must leave quickly.”

“Can you buy us some time?”

The gargoyle grumbles incoherently before flying off once more. A loud crash from down the road sends the guards scurrying toward the sound. Lightning claps from up above as we free the rebels and escort them safely out of the cell and back through the narrow alleyways toward the city gate.

Inkor scratches his head in disbelief. “Didn’t think you’d actually be able to pull it off.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” I respond with a smile.

He returns it. “Belroth was right about you, Lady Fulthain. The world needs fierce leaders like you.”

Removing his hat, the basilisk takes a knee on the wet cobblestone. I place my hand on his shoulder and signal for him to rise.

“This isn’t a time to bow to anyone. You’ve done us a favor this evening, and I won’t forget it. If you need anything, please, don’t hesitate to call on me.”

Belroth and the others join me with the rest of the rebels and we make a clean exit before heading back to camp. While the others pack up, I return to the stronghold.

Tonight was a success, but the Midnight Queen was right about one thing: I am the reason for so many deaths. If not for Dragan embarking on this journey with me, the gargoyles would still be alive. If not for me, Morrigan would still be trapped in the tower of Variant’s palace. All of those lives would not have been lost in the Veil, if not for me. If I’d been stronger… my mother and sister...

I approach the walls of the mercenary stronghold, but I can’t bring myself to enter. The colorful flags are like a knife to the heart—they remind me of the bodies that littered the battlefield after we liberated theThrest.And among those banners is a flag of my own making, a symbol of my accomplishments as much as my failures.

Instead of entering through the gate, I turn my back on the stronghold and ride toward the desert. There’s a place in the realms where I know I’ll find the answers I seek. I must go back to where it all started.

If I’d just joined Variant when I’d the chance, thousands of lives could have been spared.

CHAPTER TWELVE

BARON

Fae Realm

“Fuck!” I dive toward the ground as a shield attempts to bash my head in.

The ground begins to shift and churn with each blow that batters my body. My jaw clicks and my back aches, but I continue to fight so the orcs can’t reach my companions. Theren is a selfish bastard no matter how truthful his story may be, but if saving him saves Eilish from whatever Morrigan has in store for her, then I’m willing to swallow my pride.

“Do you fuckers breed like rabbits, or are you spawned in a sewer somewhere?” I grumble.

The orcs snarl and attack with a vengeance. A sea of grotesque faces and disfigured bodies flood the trees, blocking my view of the others as they retreat. And then a low growl catches my attention, pulling my focus from the fight. The orcs break rank, creating a path right toward me.

Variant.

The false king approaches on his great steed, white wings hanging low beside him in a show of power as much as the crown of gilded stag horns and pure diamonds on his brow. Variant unlatches and pulls off the majestic robes that cover his shoulders, letting the fine fabric flutter to the ground.

“You disappoint me, Baron.”

“Good. I live to disappoint you, asshole.” I twirl my dagger and saunter toward Variant. “You and Morrigan bring nothing but chaos and destruction to the realms.”

“I’m surprised you care.”

“I can admit to not giving a fuck before, but that was the past. Now I know what’s important. No more hiding, no more running... we bring the fight to you.”

“You’re standing in the way of things you don’t understand.”

“I understand a lot more than you think I do, Variant,” I chuckle darkly. “It’s you who’s clueless. We aren’t just a bunch of outcasts staging a rebellion. You forget that we were kings, warriors of our own right and men of power. Magic flows through my veins as much as it flows through yours.”

“Shadow tricks and poison? I’d expected more of a challenge.”

“Much has changed since our little run-in at the palace. I’ve got a whole new bag of tricks.”