Page 109 of Forged By Malice (Beasts of the Briar #3)

108

Ezryn

T his moment has played out in my mind a thousand times. At last, I will slice through the darkness and purge the rot from the ground. I didn't know which emotion would course through my veins when the time came, but with the Prince of Thorns helpless before me, there is a sense of pure freedom.

This is justice for his torment of Keldarion, his betrayal of the Vale and it will free Rosalina. It is a gift I will give all of us. He doesn’t move, but only closes his eyes as my sword arcs toward his neck.

Steel rings out across the castle, and a shudder ripples through my body as my blade clashes with another. Keldarion stands before me, white hair shrouding his face, but I see his eyes clear enough, full of wild desperation.

Snarling, I push on his blade of ice. “Let me do this for you, brother. Let me free you and our mate of your twisted bargain. Let me help you.” And with every ounce of strength I have, I push down harder and harder on the sword, willing it to break. Willing him to break.

He does not.

“No,” Keldarion says in a low growl. Feet braced on the ground as he pushes back against me with a power that would destroy any ordinary man.

But he doesn’t look behind, doesn’t see Caspian’s gaze cut into mine. A knowing, scheming smirk. Whatever surrender had been there was just another act. He knew Kel would save him.

Snarling, I sever the duel and stagger back. “Ignorant! You are willingly oblivious to his ways and his trickery as you ever were. Stand down, Keldarion. This needs to end.”

Keldarion shakes his head, a look of familiar sorrow and torment. “I can’t.”

“He killed my father. He laid siege on Autumn. And he holds your magic at bay. You can never truly be with Rosalina while blood still runs in his veins.” I pace, looking for an opening between him and Caspian. “You would have me carve a path through you to exact my vengeance?”

Keldarion looks down at his sword and then back at me. “You will do what you must, as will I.”

There has been so much fury in my blood, the feeling of deep sorrow is almost welcome. It clears my mind. Makes my objective clear. I had believed without my creed I would be lost.

But the opposite is true.

It has freed me to see the world as it truly is. To see people as they truly are.

And I will do whatever I need to in order to set her free.

I lower my sword. “Though there is no strike of a blade, you have cut through our brotherhood. It is no more.”

“Ezryn…” Keldarion steps toward me.

“You have made your choice, High Prince of Winter, and I have made mine.” I look past him to Caspian, withering on the floor. “And to you, Prince of Thorns, I leave you a promise. Your death is marked by me. I will claim it. Next time, I will not be merciful to whoever stands in my way.”

“Wait,” Keldarion calls. “What about Rosalina?”

“I will rescue her on my own.” I turn toward the main door, toward the Briar. “Goodbye, Keldarion. You will not see me at Castletree again.”