Page 131 of Reign of Stars and Fire

I have hope a tale has been successfully woven to reunite lands against his darkness.

The blade which you hold, to anyone but a descendant of the maker, is nothing but a blade. If blood holds blood, this sword shall be a gift that even dark glamour cannot stand against. Strike the flesh, dim the foe. On night of red, take up your claim, and rest this darkness by your blade.

If you are reading these words, you have awakened a lost heart and taken a vow to be worthy of her. Now, I make a vow to you. Honor her always and this land will always answer to you. It cherishes her, and should you keep her trust, it will cherish you.

I feel to tell you one thing more: When Annon falls, she is ready. Guide her to the first bond and all the songs will be revealed, so a broken kingdom can be healed.

There will come a point when fate will be silent and your victory or defeat rests upon every fated gift to either rise or fall.

We will guard you from the Otherworld. Tell them both I love them.

Riot Ode

I reread the final few lines more than once. Annon? Why was the captain mentioned? Tell them both I love them? Saga and . . . Annon?

I didn’t have time to think too long before Hagen urged us to leave. “Night is upon us,” he said. “We need to move.”

I cleared my throat and tucked Riot’s letter into my tunic. The blade caught the red moon, an eerie reflection sparkled down the edge of the sword. Take up my claim. Take up my blade. My claim was the heart of a queen. I’d take it gladly.

“We have a fight to begin,” I said, a scratch in my voice. “We have an advantage, a fate king cheers for us in the Otherworld.”

The others grinned. Junie swiped at her eyes. Niklas picked up his satchel, grinning. “Shall we send the signal,KingAri?”

I gave a stiff nod and traded my sword for my mother’s blade.

Eryka touched my arm. “It called to you.”

“No. It shrieked at me. Not the way I recall my mother’s voice, but I was rather stubborn, no doubt she wanted to scream at me many times.”

In the open cavern, Niklas gathered the pouch he’d planned to use against the door. He aligned himself with the opening at the top of the room.

“Wings.” He snapped his fingers at Rune. “Do you mind? Toss it high over your head once you get there.”

Rune tossed the leather straps holding two crossed blades over his shoulders and curled his spine a bit until the large iridescent wings he usually kept tucked away extended.

“Careful. It’s explosive.” Niklas gingerly placed the pouch in Rune’s palms.

Bo started to pace but said nothing as Rune took flight toward the red sphere above us. I held my breath, waiting.

“It was quite tricky,” Niklas boasted. “Silent, but vibrant. That was what I was aiming for, at least. Let’s see if I am still the master.”

Rune hovered for a few moments before tossing his arms overhead, then bolting back toward the ground. Not even five heartbeats passed before a brilliant red spark shocked the sky. Not white or blue or another shade that might draw attention from the crimson night.

But to those a distance off the shore, to those watching the sky, it would be visible for lengths.

“Brilliant as always, Nik.” I slapped his back.

He gave me a rolling salute. “I want every bleeding king to remember that I’ve saved you all. Valen, countless times with Kase that he’ll deny, and now you.”

“Won’t be forgotten, trust me. Hurry, we need to find Hodag and get to the royal house before—”

I froze when I turned toward the door. Face down in a pool of blood was Avian, and in the doorway, a bulky figure blocked our way out.

“Bjorn?” I drew my sword and held out a hand. The blood fae captain had his dagger across Hodag’s throat. The troll woman whimpered, her thick lips pouted, but she didn’t plead or beg. I looked to the captain. “Bjorn what is this?”

The yellow of the captain’s eyes brightened, not with hatred or betrayal, but tears. “I had to. The girl . . . she can bring her back.”

“Bring who back?”