Page 141 of Reign of Stars and Fire

Saga stroked my wet hair, she held my shoulders. “Forgive you, for what?”

For failing you.“I promised to end him.”

Eyes closed, I squeezed her waist tighter. Further attempts to voice the pain surging through me, the loathing for my shortcomings, choked off in a broken sob. Gods, I did not shed tears, but this moment had been the moment I’d fought for since the day I learned that bastard existed.

He was gone but would return for her. Now, he knew our secrets, our weaknesses. He’d come back stronger and torment her as payment for my failure.

“Ari.” Saga’s voice trembled. She hugged my shoulders against her waist and held the back of my head as though letting go would be the end of us. “Listen to me. Wewillend him, and we’ll do it together. We knew he would not be a simple enemy.”

“I had him,right there.” I shook my head. Instead of striking, I’d mocked him. I’d taunted him. By the hells, I’d been so arrogant that I had him, I let it drag out. Like a cat playing with its mouse.

A potentially fatal mistake to everyone I loved.

Davorin knew the other kingdoms knew of him. They’d stood against him. Doubtless, we were all marked.

Saga lowered to her knees and held my face between her palms. “Look at me.” I obeyed, unashamed by the tears blurring my sight. She pressed her forehead to mine and let out a shaky breath. “Ifhe returns, we will be ready. He is strong, but we are stronger. This fight is not on you alone, do you hear me? My burdens are yours, and yours will be mine.”

I pinched her chin between my fingers. “I don’t deserve your love, my sweetest menace.”

“Yet, you have all of it.” She kissed me with a new vigor.

I held her close, tasted her, tried to devour her. Davorin was not dead, and I’d never be satisfied until his head was in my hands, but I had Saga. Real, warm, I still had Saga. Out of anything, to have earned her love was my proudest victory.

Gorm moved swifter than I knew he could when he caught sight of his son. Not an affectionate father, the blood lord shocked us all when he buried his heir against his big chest. No words, a few smacks on the back, then a hard pat to Cuyler’s face, and Gorm moved on to us.

“He’s fled,” I told Gorm before he could ask. “Gravely wounded, but not dead.”

“He will be.” Gorm did not deal in unknowns, but I appreciated his simple assurance. Like a complete vow of loyalty. Our people would stand with us should Davorin come again. “This way. He’s fading.”

I took hold of Saga’s hand, made certain Calista was close, and followed quickly behind Gorm.

Stefan—Annon—was pale and damp with sweat and blood. I pulled Calista forward.

Her lip trembled when she sank to her knees and took Annon’s hand. “I almost exploded.”

Annon let out a broken laugh that turned into a wet cough. When he caught his breath again, he smiled weakly. “I would’ve loved to have seen it. That is your strength. You’re ready to take your place.”

“What does that mean?”

“You’ll . . . you’ll find your way.”

“I need you with me.”

He shook his head. “No, you don’t. Not anymore. We’ve reached our final farewell. This was always meant to happen. Live and live again, until the death at crimson night. You are ready, so this is the moment I greet my king in the hall of the gods. It is all I ever asked…”

Calista’s eyes widened. “No. You can’t go. I thought it was me and . . . you can’t go.”

He drew her knuckle to his lips and pressed a weak kiss there. “You . . . you don’t remember, but we’ve said goodbye before.”

“I’d remember if I lost my brother. You’re my brother, right?” Calista blinked. Annon gave her a sad look that said a hundred things. Calista blinked. “No, I . . . I remember growing up together.”

“Do you really?”

Calista rubbed her head. “It doesn’t make sense.”

“It will.” Annon took a deep, rough breath. “Keep . . . searching for the bond you have with . . .” He winced. “Trust what your . . . heart tells you.” Annon looked to Saga. “Princess, I . . . I will tell him what a remarkable queen you’ve become.”

Saga knelt on Annon’s other side. She kissed his cheek. “I remember everything you ever did for me, Captain Annon.”