“Ihave never been a mother, butIcan imagine ifIsaw my children being killed for the selfish gains of the fae.Iwould fight back, too.”
“Doyou think that’s the reason why magic started to fade?”
Ishrugged my shoulders. “Justa theory.”
Bothtwins held my gaze a bit longer before the princess shook her head. “Weare getting off track.Whydid you sayIdon’t have any magic?”
“Well, much likeHadeon, aren’t you also bound to a dragon’s heart?”
Theroom was quiet for a very long time. “Thatseems quite… literal.”
Ishrugged. “Motheralways said that magic had the most depraved sense of humor.”
“So,Ican conduct becauseIam bound to a dragon’s heart.Butdragons had magic of their own, why don’tI?”
“Thesame reason many of us don’t,Iwould assume.Youwill need to have contact with someone who has innate fae magic to channel, someone who hasn’t lost that ability.”
“AndIwas really looking forward to blowing something up.”Sheleaned back in her chair and sighed.
“Evenwhen magic still flowed freely, most magi needed glyphs or other guidance to use their powers, an anchor to hold and guide the magic.Hadeon, your brother… they are special exceptions.”
“AndLuxos?”Toriraised a brow at me.
“Luxosis able to wield magic, but he needs extensive glyph tattooing to wield it as he does now.”Tori’seyebrows rose even higher in a silent question, butIdidn’t take the bait.
Juninterjected, “WhataboutTori’sfire?”
Ipaused with my fingers on my chin. “Ihave been wondering that myself.Iassume it is shared between you andAbraxasthrough the bond you share.Solittle is known about dragon magic; it is difficult to say.”Tori’shand came to rest on her chest, and a disturbing thought struck me. “Thisalso means that if something should happen toAbraxas, your powers will disappear.”
Herface grew cold. “Iwon’t let that happen.”Shelooked at the book in front of her again before slamming it closed. “Noneof this matters ifIcan’t figure out how to help him.Idon’t even know how much longerIcan wait.”
“Maybeit’s time you talked to him again.”
Herforehead creased. “Idon’t know if that will be possible, even in the dreams.”
“You’reafraid?”
Shestiffened defensively. “Hewas out of control.Idon’t know howIcould even get him to listen.”
“Well…I’vebeen thinking about that and have a few ideas.”Ipulled a few pieces of blank paper towards me and sketched out a glyphic pattern, explaining to her what it would do. “Thisshould allow you to manipulate the dreaming environmentto whatever you desire.Itwas used for… well,I’msure you can imagine.”
Awicked grin crossed her face. “It’salways the quiet ones you should be the most worried about.”
Iblushed. “Inever used it for that!Inever had magic of my own, soIcouldn’t activate enchantments anyway.”
“Butyou still learned so much about them?”
“Ienjoyed the challenge, which was good sinceIdidn’t have much choice.”Iremembered the harsh sting of my mother’s rod across the back of my hands and rubbed them absentmindedly. “Besides, it will be good practice for your channeling.”Shenodded.
BeforeToriwent to bed that night,Ipainted the glyphs on her forehead.Ifelt her conducting mana and the glyphs glowed a soft white. “Sweetdreams,Princess.”
Chapter 21
Abraxas
Timewas irrelevant in this place between life and death.Thestars swirled above and below me, but they didn’t matter because all my light was gone.Torihadn’t returned, andIdidn’t blame her.Ihad lost control.Ihad hurt her.Ihad killed her.
Forover five hundred years,Icontrolled myself and turned my heart to ice.Ihad been the honorable general and fae king.IplayedHadeon’slap dog, his loyal servant despite the beast inside me calling for his violent death whenever he was near.ButItamed it, controlled it.
