“You will be found out sooner or later, and they will know you are the one kings fear.” Kane stands tall, his voice calm but laced with an edge meant to draw blood. “You speak of curses and doom, Four, but what of your own secrets? The darkness you hide?”
Four’s eyes narrow, but he remains silent, his jaw clenched.
Kane continues, stepping closer, his dark gaze never wavering. “The magick that flows through your veins, the same magick you condemn in others. How longhave you hidden your true nature? How long have you deceived these people, pretending to be their savior while harboring the very power you claim to despise? The very power that kills them slowly.”
The crowd murmurs, glancing between Kane and Four.
“The truth will come out, Four. Your lies will unravel, and the people will see you for what you are—a coward hiding in the shadows of his own magick.”
Four’s hand twitches, his thumb and index finger rubbing together. Blue sparks flare so quickly, I would have missed them had I not seen them before.
Kane presses on, his voice rising. “What are you so afraid of, Four? That they will see your magick for what it truly is? That Alderic, that the kingdom, will know what you’ve done?”
Four steps forward, his face twisted in anger. “You know nothing, Blackthorne.”
“I know you are the true threat to this kingdom. Your magick, your lies—they are the poison. And if you won’t end this curse on our palace, on our king, then I will.”
Four’s fingers spark again, a flash of blue that hides in a blink. “You will regret your words.”
“Will I?” Kane challenges. “Or will you finally reveal the monster you truly are? Show them, Four. Show them the power you hide, the power you’ve used to bring them to their knees.”
The crowd watches, breathless and still as Kane’s words tinge the air.
Four rubs his thumb and index finger together. Blue sparks pop against his hands, tiny bursts of magickal energy that crackle and fizz in the damp.
Queen Lockhart rises to her feet, and Marion and McDougall immediately take her place at Alderic’s side, supporting him as he gingerly sits up.
She approaches Four, rain cleaning her face of tears. “Is there truth to Blackthorne’s claims?”
Four straightens, his shoulders tense and rigid. “Your Majesty, do not be fooled by this charlatan’s tricks. His magick may seem healing now, but it will demand a price—a price that Pentacles cannot afford.”
“The only price this kingdom has paid is for your deceit and treachery,” Kane sneers. “Your magick has eaten away at a strong king and turned him into nothing more than a puppet.”
The queen lifts her chin, her eyes narrowing as she glares up at Four. “Explain yourself. What is it that you have done?”
Four’s composure begins to crack, his hands sparking at his sides. “I have done nothing but protect this kingdom! It ishismagick that will bring ruin upon us all!”
Kane’s voice cuts through Four’s frantic denials. “You speak of protection, yet you caused the fire. Your magick nearly killed the court and your king. Your greed is the reason Pentacles is starving; you’re hoarding the kingdom’s wealth and power for your own gain.”
A murmur runs through the crowd, their anger and fear swelling toward Four.
“Is this true, Four?” the queen demands through clenched teeth. “Have you been the architect of our suffering?”
Four’s body trembles, his hands sparking more violently now. “Lies! All lies! Blackthorne’s magick already poisons you.”
“You are one of our subjects, and I command you to answer! What have you done?”
“I’ve shown them mine.” Kane smirks. “Time for you to show yours.”
Four’s fury erupts. With a primal scream, he holds up his hands, releasing a torrent of crackling blue magick.
“Guards, seize him!” Queen Lockhart orders.
They rush toward him, but instead of putting him in chains, they form a protective shield around him.
I take a step back, my heart in my throat as they stare ahead, their irises as bright and blue as falling sky.
As bright and blue as Alderic’s.
