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So much pain rattles through my body as Maeva’s words sink in, because I’ve known them to be true.

I never should’ve hoped for a second chance with her after what I’ve done.

Her painful pleas to release her have plagued my sleep these last ten years, and I wish more than anything I could take it all back.

My father slowly moves toward Maeva. “Now, now,” Tiernan says, “Hand over the Crógemma, my darling.”

Maeva tilts her head, a smirk quirking her lips. “I’ll die before I’ll allow you to have it,” she snarls.

King Tiernan’s smiling facade falls as his eyes narrow. Clenching his jaw, shadows leak from his body. “That can be arranged.”

Through gritted teeth, I stand, moving in front of Maeva.

My shadows twist and writhe, as I’ve waited for this day for so long.

He ruined my life by forcing me to decimate hers.

I won’t fail her again. “You’re never going to touch her again,” I growl.

Maeva may not want me or need me, but I’ll always need her… and I won’t let him have her.

Tiernan pinches the bridge of his nose, chuckling. “Emyreus, she doesn’t want you,” he sneers. “There’s no reason to still defend her.”

I broaden my stance, allowing my shadows to intensify.

“I’ll defend her until the last breath leaves me,” I snarl.

“But when I go, I’ll make sure to drag your soul to the Abyss with me.

” I launch my shadows at my father with all the force I can muster.

I picture them traveling down his throat, suffocating him.

I imagine them twisting around his neck to snap it, as he’s had me do to countless others.

I allow my rage to flow with everything I have as my reserves slowly drain.

I expect to hear his shrieks of agony, but instead of screaming, my father walks out of the chasm of my shadows, dusting his shoulders. My body tenses as I look at him.

Impossible.

“Now that your tantrum is out of the way, I believe it will be fun to tell her about Scrisis,” he sneers. “After all, the foundation of any meaningful relationship is honesty, wouldn’t you agree?”

The king points his ring at my chest, but instead of the sting of the loyalty oath, I’m compelled to shout what he desires for me to share from the rooftops.

Tell her, tell her, tell her. His voice chants in my head.

My body drops to the ground, convulsing as I refuse to do as his voice bids. Tell her, he orders.

“N-No,” I shout. My shadows writhe around me, lashing out at the unseen enemy, but I can’t focus enough to even attempt to use them against the king. While he’s in my head, he’s in control. Pain it will be then, but I did give you a chance, he sighs.

Suddenly, my limbs twist in odd directions until my left arm audibly snaps. I scream in agony as he twists the other. He’s seconds away from snapping my right arm when Maeva’s sharp voice shouts, “Release him, Tiernan. Torturing him is pointless if he’s unable to speak.”

King Tiernan chuckles. “As you desire, my darling.”

My breath comes rushing back in as the heavy presence in my mind leaves me at last. I cough violently, hoping to regain my composure, but my body feels weak.

“What do you need to tell me about Scrisis, Emyr?” Maeva asks.

I shake my head, refusing to answer.

“Tell her,” Tiernan commands.

I’m unable to even lift my head from the ground. “Haven’t you hurt her enough today?” I seethe. A moment later, sharp pain cracks against my face. I grunt as my cheek sinks into the soft snow and blood surrounds me.

“Come now, Emyreus,” Tiernan mocks. “You’re the one that desperately wanted to tell her the truth. So why don’t we tell her the whole truth?”

When I don’t respond, Teirnan sharply grabs the back of my head, pulling so aggressively I fear my neck will snap.

Perhaps this is the end I deserve. I’m ready to succumb to my fate when I catch a glimpse of Maeva’s horrified expression.

She may hate me, but somehow this beautiful woman still cares for me.

It’s a comforting thought as I watch the ocean in her eyes swirl for what might be the last time.

With teary eyes, she drops to her knees. “Tell me, Emyr,” Maeva pleads.

She’s so achingly beautiful.

“Are you sure you want to know?” I ask.

She nods once.

“My sword isn’t just the death blade,” I say, swallowing hard. “It also sends powerful abilities into his ring… allowing him to wield them.”

Maeva’s face grows several shades paler as she sadly stares at me.

My father’s hot breath brushes against my head. “Good boy.”

Then he knocks me over the head with a thwack.

As everything fades into blackness, all I can hear is my Rosey’s scream.