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Essie stomped down as hard as she could on the arch of the troll’s foot. His boot protected him, and her soft dancing slipper made it hard to get a good strike in. But it must have startled him enough. When his grip lessened, she wrenched free.

The troll scrambled for the knife strapped to his belt as he reached for Essie with his other hand. Just as he was drawing the knife, a bolt of Farrendel’s magic blasted into him.

The knife landed at Essie’s feet. She swiped it from the ground, then looked back.

Farrendel stood in the center of a circle of trolls, bolts of his magic crackling around him. He was panting, sweat beading on his forehead.

His gaze locked on hers. One last, silent farewell.

Then, she turned and ran.

FARRENDEL’S sizzledaround him as he faced the oncoming trolls. His wrists burned with agony where his magic touched the troll magic lingering in his wounds. A few remnants of the stone remained buried underneath his skin, pulsing with pain even as he forced his magic free.

He needed to provide Essie time to escape. No matter how much it hurt, he must survive long enough to give her time.

Several of the trolls rushed him as the rest by the boat dropped what they were doing and raced down the wharf toward Farrendel. He counted ten trolls in total.

He flared his magic at them, making all but one stumble back. The remaining troll lunged, raising a sword made of stone flickering with magic. Farrendel blocked with a burst of magic, flinging the troll backwards. The troll landed hard and did not get up.

Farrendel grimaced at the numbness in his fingertips. If he remained cold and emotionless, he would not be strong enough to hold them off. He released the iron grip he held around his emotions, letting himself feel the pain of Melantha’s betrayal. Her words sliced deep inside his chest.You are not my brother.

Not her brother. Not her family. Unwanted by those who should have loved him.

Did any of his family actually love him? Or did they all, deep down, feel like Melantha? Did they wish they could go back to a time when their family was whole and happy before he was born?

Unwanted. Not her brother. Unworthy.

Something in him shook, and he let it, unleashing the pain in a wave of magic. The trolls stumbled back, and one of them cried out.

A shield of troll magic burst around them. There were only eight trolls left, but one or more of them were powerful. With a power Farrendel had not felt since he faced the troll king in battle.

He should have expected the trolls would send a skilled warrior to capture him. Last time, they had thought sheer numbers and Escarlish weapons alone would work. And they might have, if not for Essie.

Essie. Essie loved him. He clung to that simple truth as if it was the only thing keeping his magic from consuming him. Even with all the magic crashing through him, he could still feel the bright connection of the heart bond warming deep in his chest. His entire family might secretly hate him, but he would not break because he could be certain Essie loved him.

He fought for her. To give her time to escape. To make sure her kingdom did not fall even if his did.