Page 62 of The Malice of Moons and Mages (The Broken Bonds of Magic #1)

Sixty-Two

Lua

Raja v

L ua was ether, existing between life and death, between something and nothing. He basked in the light of the two moons while the surrounding space reddened. In this space, he was laid bare, open and vulnerable. Here there was only truth and no way to deceive even if he’d wanted to.

“He must make his choice,” Silence whispered .

“He’s like the rest of them.” Contempt ruled Song’s tone .

“No. He’s already shown his differences.”

“Killers. Destroyers. Betrayers. Mark my Song, he’ll be the same.”

“He must choose,” Silence said.

“It won’t matter. They never change.”

Lua doubted where he was for a moment. Weeks had passed without hearing Silence, and Song had only spoken to him twice in his life, the last time in the sea. His fate balanced on the blade of their blessings. But their tones were disturbing, as if disappointment were a foregone conclusion .

Silence answered Lua’s worries before he could speak. “The dragon mage is fine. With some care, she’ll yet live through this night.”

“But you might not. Everything depends on your choices, little Oji.”

Without a voice he struggled to form a cohesive response.

“He doesn’t know the truth,” Song said.

“He wouldn’t. It’s been too long. Words and bones have ground to dust.”

“If he wants our blessings, he must choose. Just like the others.”

“What don’t I know?” Lua asked.

“There he is.”

“He’s been here. You would know if you listened. There is strength in Silence.”

An ethereal sigh. “Then let me guide him. Lua Koray, Oji of our Moon tribes, son of Li-Hun Koray and Amala Shirav. Direct descendant of Yueliang, will you right the wrongs of your ancestors?”

He was trapped in confusion.

“He doesn’t know. Why would he?” Song said.

“What choice?” Lua’s voice was barely a whisper.

“Do you see her defending you? As if you didn’t take part in the slaughter. As if your ancestors didn’t steal the power from hers? She should kill you while you are cut apart. Losing you won’t hurt her now.”

Audra shimmered before him, worried eyes blacked with kohl, lips crimson red. A single green thread, thin as a spider’s silk, spun from her hand into his arm. It nestled in his chest before soaring toward him. It lashed around his essence and attempted to reel him back. Below his body gasped, but above he resisted.

“What choice?”

Their voices merged into a painful chorus. “Will you right the wrongs of your ancestors to mend all that was broken?”

The wrongs of his ancestors? The destruction of the Western tribes—or something more? So much history was erased. Where would he stand in the future if he denied this request? He tried to say as much, but the words failed again.

Song’s voice was thin . “I am nearly uncovered. In a moment, the connection will disappear.”

“I will,” Lua said, too loudly .

Song’s color changed to blinding ivory. “Return the world to how it was meant to be. Let me guide you.” Her voice faded as she moved beyond the shadow .

Audra’s pull grew tighter, pleading. He tasted her fear.

Silence filled his mind. “Few of your ancestors have dared to challenge the shame they’ve inherited, and those who did failed the task now set before you. Indeed, Li-Hun nearly made it irreparable. You must make it right.”

“But Li-Hun had your blessing.”

“No. Not mine.”

“His magic?” Lua was sure Li-Hun had spoken to both moons. His father made sacrifices, public prayers, bragged of his connection. But his magic had only ever been gray. Only Song’s. Lua had questioned his father on many things over the years, but his magic or claim to the throne had never crossed Lua’s mind. The realization sickened him. To be made the true Rajav demanded the blessings of both moons, and his father had never had it. He’d lied to everyone because he could, and no one dared to question him.

“You come from thieves and liars. Remember the vows you’ve made, and I will give you strength. Seek the sisters when all is lost. They will aid you. They have their own regrets.”

“Wait!” Lua cried, the moonslight blinded him.

“They’ve been waiting. We’ve been waiting.”

Pain jolted him into consciousness. The roar of battle assaulted his senses.