Page 108 of Forged By Malice (Beasts of the Briar #3)

107

Keldarion

G olden vines and roses flutter around me, and I land with a crash among the familiar briars of Castletree’s entrance hall. Caspian and Ezryn lie in a similar heap beside me, but I know instantly she’s not here.

Roaring, I launch toward Castletree’s door. Pressing in the knob, I switch the dial to that of Spring and pull.

The door doesn’t open.

But of course. The new High Prince has not connected to Castletree’s magic. The way is closed. I curse. Fine, I’ll figure out a different way—

My thoughts trail off as a strange sensation prickles along the back of my neck, like shadows leaching over my body.

I whirl. Caspian kneels on the ground, barely able to hold himself up, black sludge dripping down his face. And Ezryn—Ezryn, my best friend, my brother—stands above him, sword poised to strike.

Time seems to slow. I meet Caspian’s gaze, and there is only surrender there. A goodbye.

An end to it all.

Dusky rays shine in from the open window. Funny how the briars all curve around the sill to let the sun in. A light that’s glinting off his dark eyes now.

I flick my fingers and a blade of ice forms in my palm, and it’s my own sort of surrender. A surrender to the choice I was always going to make.