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No one would know by looking at his craggy face, his stooped shoulders, his short stature. He didn’t get fae beauty or grace.

But he got a nice hit of power—a ward that would likely rival Calysian’s.

A ward that will outlast my flames.

It gleams a dark blue, held in place by his will alone.

What other powers did he inherit from his fae father?

My heart thunders in my chest, but I force myself to think about Daharak and the others, betrayed by the man they considered family. And then I focus on Calysian, currently walking into a trap.

Fine. I’ll kill Haldrik without magic.

Anticipation and terror war within me. I have to kill him fast. Before Calysian walks into the trap Vicana has set for him.

With a nod, Haldrik unsheathes his own dagger. The world narrows, until all I can see is him as he slowly walks toward me. His knife is long, thin, and I catch strange runes carved into the hilt.

My stomach churns. It has been a long, long time since those days on the ship, when Lonn bullied me into training with him. But if I die here, Calysian dies too. And I have no doubt Vicana will turn this continent to ruin.

Haldrik doesn’t waste time. He launches himself at me, moving faster than I thought he could.

I dodge, sending him a smirk. “Looks like your father passed down a few gifts, Haldrik. And yet he never stayed to raise you, did he? Some part of him must have known you’d become a spineless coward who would turn on his own family the moment he had the chance.”

His eyes widen, then narrow, and he slashes out, his knife slicing close to my throat. Too close.

I dance backward, but he’s still coming, lips thinned, cheeks flushed. I’d known my best chance was to get under his skin, but even I hadn’t anticipated his rage.

Rage that has likely been burning within him for years.

“Take your time. Study the feet and the chest. Don’t get impatient.”Lonn’s voice echoes through my mind.“Let them tire themselves out.”

Haldrik slashes out again, and I dodge, but he’s too fast, his blade a blur as he swipes at me. I thrust my own knife up, and the clash of steel sets my teeth on edge. I twist, freeing my blade and thrust my knife at him, but he jolts back, out of my range.

With a curse, he barrels into me, his body careening into mine. My knife goes flying as we hit the ground and roll. I gape, breathless, momentarily winded. But I manage to strike out, slamming his knife from his hand.

I’m just so stupid. So slow. So unworthy. If I was a better person, maybe this wouldn’t have happened. If there was anything in me worth loving, I wouldn’t have spent so much of my life alone.

I deserve to die. I should just give up now.

My limbs weaken. Haldrik grunts, as if he’s already tiring.

And I know what his true power is now.

Doubt.

Did he use that power to eat at Calysian too?

Cold spreads through my chest, and I choke on a sob.

I’m hurtful and vicious and mean. I’ve been that way since the day I was born. I’m always going to be alone. Calysian is better without me.Everyoneis better without me.

Haldrik’s eyes turn intent. “Just give in, Madinia. It will all be over soon.” His gaze fixes on my throat, his eyes lighting with victory.

I let my hands relax from where they’re slammed against his chest. Haldrik leans closer.

I slash out with my nails, raking a path down his face. He roars, rearing back, and I fight like a cat, desperate and ruthless. I wiggle my leg free from beneath him, slamming my boot into his groin.

Haldrik lets out a choked groan. I take the opportunity to roll to my stomach, clawing at the ground. If I can just make it to my knees—