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“Good night, sweet princeling,” she called, the phrase echoing from my childhood.

“Good night,” I affirmed.

She descended, flowing downward. Her departure carried the scent of funeral flowers.

A scent soon overtaken by rot.

Inarus. His shield was down.

Ayla

We defeated them as fast as they arrived, but the Shades kept coming. Ninti and I had developed a method to our fighting.

She burst into flames, eliminating a mob of Shades just beyond the doorway. Her fire attack spent, I ran forward while she stepped back. I slashed the Shades, left to right, taking them down.

When she had recovered, Ninti gave her command, “Now.”

Again, we traded places. Ninti launched her fire attack. I collected my breath and checked my Brand. She nipped and clawed, giving me another blessed second to rest.

“Now.”

She stepped back, and the cycle repeated.

The battle had become a stalemate. Stalemates were won by the side with deeper reserves. We faced an unlimited army; we had no tactical way to win.

But at any moment, Zayne could claim control of the Shades. Eleanor could rise. We were merely the distraction, the protectors in this battle for the throne.

Our potential saviors remained silent. Eleanor was unchanged, sunken into her throne. Zayne had grown pale, his blood cold.

Gloom sapped my hope and strength.

I needed a better plan. My only idea was to somehow access my magic. My conversation with Inarus lingered, more evidence to my potential. If only I knew how—

—boooom—

The ceiling cracked and the walls shook.

—craaash—

A second blast. The wall tumbled down. The ceiling splintered, and rubble fell at my feet.

The front of the room was gone, and our position became significantly less secure.

Two giant humanoids loomed over us, their fists raised with the intent to destroy. Their hair was long, a mossy green. Their eyes held the same dark, vacant expression as the other Shades.

“Trolls,” Ninti whispered.

They were taller and larger than fae. And incredibly strong—powerful enough to beat down these walls. Trolls were formed from organic materials, such as trees or rocks, their lifeforce derived from the land’s magic.

Petrified wood formed the bodies of these trolls. Undead forest trolls. A different type of Shade, but still under Inarus’s command.

More of the ceiling fell. The trolls stared at nothing, seemingly stunned by their strength.

Ninti and I fell back, dodging the falling debris. Thankfully, Eleanor and Zayne stayed safe, their side of the room remaining intact.

I met Ninti’s gaze, evaluating how we could face this next challenge.

In the lull, I reached for my magic, that well ofsomethinglurking within me. I pressed, I pushed.Please,I begged.