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“Natura,” said Cy. “Sometimes the Emendus clans as healers.”

“Natura mages often are the folk who till our lands, farm, trade,” Kage explained. “They are the backbone of Magiaria. At times, folk in these gates forget that.”

I understood what he meant about the arrogance. The seer mages who took up residence in the sanctuary seemed content to never drop their noses and spend too much time looking at another before they were on their own self-important way.

We stopped at the main fortress and were met with two guards. The sides of their scalps were shaved close and inked in runes, but when Kage tossed back his hood, they dipped their chins at once.

“Highness. Tis an honor.”

“I’ve come here as the escort of our Blood Sacrifice who wishes to drink from the Well of Urd.”

The two guards glanced at each other—unsettled, hesitant. Unease clawed up my arms.

“You delay at the command of your prince?” Asger, taking on the proper role of Kage’s guard, stepped forward.

“No, My Lord,” said one guard. “It’s only that . . .”

He could not complete his thought before the doors groaned and heaved open in flurry of dust and dead leaves from the path.

“They hesitate,” a voice from the shadows began, “for they do not follow the word of their prince over the voice of their future king.”

Without realizing, I took a step closer to Kage, as though we faced a threat.

Kage stiffened when Destin shoved between the two guards. At the crown prince’s back stood Hugo and half a dozen Kappi. I was pleased to note Hugo’s face flushed, as though he did not wish to be there, standing in our way.

Destin glowered at me, then to his brother. “Hello, Kagesh. I’ve been sick with worry searching for you both. Now, why don’t you tell me exactly why in the hell you’re here.”

CHAPTER 30

Kage

I’d angeredmy stepbrother aplenty in my lifetime. This would not be the last of it.

Adira crowded against my side, and I took a bit of pleasure knowing, even in the presence of Destin, the man we both considered a piece of her past, she stood with me. As though she were mutely choosing me.

“Destin,” I said evenly. “I must say I’m surprised to see you here.”

“Are you?” His blue eyes narrowed. “No word, Kage. Nothing. I’m brought a report of an Immorti attack, then my brother and Lady Adira are discovered to be missing. I came to seek guidance on where I’d bring war if it meant finding you both again.”

A bite of guilt dug into my chest. There were times resentment stacked against Destin. He never visited the cottage, as though he could simply forget our parents. He was always found laughing, and feasting, and inspecting future brides before Adira arrived, as though our world were not dying.

But in moments as this, I was swiftly reminded he—the future king—was forced to wear many masks. It was his burden, but when it mattered, his true affections burned through.

I held out my arm. “I’m sorry for your worry. I should’ve sent word.”

“At least you’re all alive.” A drawn pause, another glare, then my brother clasped his hand around my forearm in greeting. “What are you doing here? By the looks of that gash on your throat, I’d take it there was an attack.”

“It was a pack,” I said. “I would not have survived without Adira.”

Destin looked back at her. “Your magic? It’s restored?”

“It came in a burst again,” she explained, still clinging to my wrist.

“We’re here for the Well,” I said. “Her power needs to fully break free. This is the swiftest way to?—”

“You cannot use the Well of Urd,” Destin interjected. “Are you mad?”

Frustration boiled beneath the surface, sharp and jagged. “Icannot? Is this not exactly what the Well is meant for, Brother?”