Page 211 of A Fate in Flames

I had witnessed them follow me without question—seen them stand between me and death itself, only to have their lives ripped away as payment for their loyalty.

Above my head, they exchanged a look heavy with unspoken questions.

“And we love you…” Theo said, breaking the silence.“But what the fuck just happened?”

I pulled back from Tavrik, my eyes still burning with unshed tears.

“One second you were reaching for the stupid stone, and the next…” He shook his head, baffled.“You just froze.Sat there with your hand stretched out, staring at absolutely nothing.”

“You weren’t breathing,” Tavrik added.

I looked down at the stone.

I couldn’t tell them.Couldn’t describe the way Tavrik had bled out in my arms.Couldn’t explain the sound of Theo’s screams as the fire consumed him.Couldn’t share the image of Zaheera standing victorious over their broken bodies.

No.I refused to put that pain onto them.

I cleared my throat, still unable to meet their eyes.“Zaheera showed me a vision.”

Both of them went rigid.

I forced down the nausea, shaking my head.“I’ve already forgotten most of it,” I lied.“Point is, I can’t win against her.There is no other way.I need to end his life.”

Speaking the words out loud hurt more than I ever thought it would.I had been willing to run, willing to risk it all just so I wouldn’t have to do this.

Tavrik adjusted his posture, his gaze moving to the stone with grim resignation.“I guess it’s time then.”

I hated myself.Hated the stone and every circumstance that had led me here.There was nothing I could do or say that would change what had to happen.

I knelt to the ground, wanting to throw up.I had already lived this moment in the vision, and now I was condemned to live it again.

Closing my eyes, I grabbed the stone, tearing it from the earth with a sharp pull.

The swirling patterns within its core pulsed with the same eerie glow.It thrummed gently in my palm, deceptively peaceful.Waiting.

Theo shook his head.“I hate that fucking thing.”

This stone—this stupid rock—had brought me more anger, more grief into my life than anything ever should have.

Tavrik remained silent as I turned it over in my palm, his brow furrowed.

I let out a shaky breath before tucking it beneath the fabric over my heart.It hummed softly, warming to my touch.

I stood, throwing my head back to stare toward the Heavens.It had to be done tonight.If I delayed, if I let doubt once again take root and spread, I would lose my nerve.

I forced my feet to move, heading back toward the palace in silence.The plan formed between us without the need for words.

Attend the feast.Pretend nothing was wrong.

One last moment of peace before I would betray the only man who had ever truly seen me.

As soon as I stepped back into my room, I yanked the stone from my chest and shoved it beneath my pillow.

“Zaheera.”I recoiled at her name flowing from my lips.

She entered my mind without a word.

“How do I do it?”I ground my teeth together.“Do I need to say something?Hold it against him?”