Page 56 of Forged By Malice (Beasts of the Briar #3)

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Caspian

S ickening green flames glow along my fingertips, and I see the flash of fear in Birdy’s eyes. That’s right, sister dear, I think. You’ve heard the rumors but never seen it, have you?

“Cas—” Keldarion grabs my shoulder, and the flames flicker out. “Are you sure about this? Last time…”

Bloody giant arrogant idiot! Always having to ruin my moment. There’s fear flashing in his eyes, too, but it’s not the same as my sister’s. Could this be fear for me? He’s not afraid for Rosalina. Perhaps somewhere deep inside his cold heart, he knows that I’d never let anything happen to her.

“Last time,” I snap, brushing his hand off my shoulder, “I granted your uncle his life’s purpose. He should thank me, honestly.”

Besides, I’m much more in control now. Grief, betrayal, anger … Those emotions caused more of an explosion. An explosion that caused a fissure to the deepest depths of the Below.

This is different. Protection. Rosalina watches me with that curious expression. Yes, this is easier to channel.

But I’d be lying if reaching for this all-consuming power again wasn’t just a tinge frightening.

“Take your legion through the portal and leave,” I tell my sister.

The Nightingale narrows her blue eyes. “Never.”

Rolling my shoulders, I smirk. “Honestly, I was kind of hoping you’d say that.”

I don’t reach for my gift of thorns or the shadows my mother passed down. No. There’s another legacy deep inside. Lying in wait. Hissing in my ear every day to bring it forth.

And every day I say no.

But not today.

I let the flames in. Power floods through my body, and every movement I make crackles with cosmic energy.

Energy not of this world.

Light floods my vision, and he appears in a flash. Grand and imposing, sitting on a massive throne with a sword of green flame and eyes the same color.

Oh, hello Father. Don’t mind me, just going to use this corrosive magic to save the one fae who might have a chance at stopping you from ever making it into the Vale.

I quickly douse the thought, uneasy about how much it feels like he’s a part of me when I let this power in. Or rather, when I give in to the power that’s always inside of me. It’s only when I let it out, when I use it, that he can truly see me.

Green flames writhe around my body, and I know the same color glows in my eyes. I fix my gaze on the goblins, then my sister’s Dreadknights. Her pride and joy, the soldiers she’s spent years training. An elite force, loyal to a fault, and adored by our mother.

I’m not sure Birdy will ever forgive me for this.

As for Rosalina…

This will only confirm for her the villain I am. But I told her I’d be her darkness, and if only a villain can save her, then so be it.

Power explodes out of me like a twisted storm. Torrents of green flames burst from my body. Like writhing specters, the energy surges out before diving to its targets.

The flames consume every goblin and Dreadknight in a single breath. Iridescent armor falls in a collective tinkle, almost reminiscent of spring rain.

The Nightingale stands stunned, one moment surrounded by a vast legion, now nothing. No one. Years of her world crumbled around her. Do you see now why she favors me, sister? You shouldn’t covet what you don’t understand.

Birdy lets out a heartbreaking wail and falls to her knees, clutching the cape of the nearest Dreadknight.

I release the magic, and my body feels empty. It takes everything in me just to keep standing. But I can’t bear to turn around and see their expressions.

Rosalina’s hand grips my arm, and I suck in a tight breath. How can you even touch me?

But her hand trails to mine and squeezes three times. She heard me.

“We should regroup at Castletree.” Her brown eyes lock on to my own, and there’s an expression there I can’t read. But it’s not the terror I expected. “All of us.”

Ezryn only gives a stiff nod. I’m sure if he hadn’t just been knocked out entirely by that pollen, he’d have more to say on the matter. And I can’t bear to look at Kel.

But that great oaf grabs my face, his rough hand on my chin making me look up at him.

“You have a lot to answer for, Cas—”

Cas … I always liked when he said my name like that. He’s saying more, lips still moving, but my vision blurs around the edges. I shouldn’t have used so much power, with most of my magic going to the briars holding up Castletree.

Rosalina pulls out her necklace and the air shimmers. Castletree. I won’t be able to stay long before the rot takes over … But maybe I can stay just a little while.

“Cas,” Keldarion continues, “then—”

The Nightingale wails like a banshee. She rises, unsteady on her feet. And that’s when I see it in her hand. That yellow crystal.

“Don’t do it!” I shout, but it’s too late.

She smashes the crystal on the ground. In a flurry of yellow light and vines, emerges Perth Quellos’s monster.