Fairy tales.Nero bit back his reply. The rebellion had promised freedom. All it had delivered was famine and false gods.
Three people now.
He gripped his dagger. He wasn’t here to die. Not today. But if he had to—if it meant stopping this farce—he’d be ready.
Two.
Casteel sat finally bandaged and pale, receiving each hopeful like it hurt him. His posture was slumped. Not regal. Not divine. Tired and injured by Nero's hand.
One.
The woman before Nero took Casteel’s hand, held it like it would provide salvation. Nothing happened. Her sobs trailed behind her as the guards moved her along.
Then Nero stood before him.
Up close, he looked even younger.
And sadder.
Nero extended his hand—dagger hidden behind his wrist.
Casteel hesitated. Reached. Their palms met.
And the world exploded.
Heat, white and pure, blazed from the contact. Nero’s knees buckled. His breath caught. The dagger fell from his grip, lost in the dust. Somethingancientroared through his blood. His vision dimmed and sharpened all at once.
Casteel’s pupils blew wide. He gripped Nero tighter.
“It’s happening!” one of the priests shrieked. “The signs! Look at the signs!”
Nero tried to pull back. He couldn’t. His limbs didn’t respond. His skin burned.This wasn’t real. This couldn’t be real.
Then Casteel dropped to his knees. His body shimmered. Shifted. Changed.
Fur rippled out—silver-white and radiant. The mark between his ears glowed gold.
The crowd dropped in worship. Even the guards stilled.
A silver wolf stood where the boy had been.
And he was staring right at Nero.
“The prophecy is fulfilled!” the head priest shouted in utter glee. “The Silver Wolf and his marked mate are before us!”
Nero’s hand flew to the back of his neck. Itburned.
“I don’t have a birthmark!” he rasped.
The wolf stepped closer. Pressed his muzzle against Nero’s side. Another pulse of heat. Another shock through the marrow.
A priest reached forward, brushing Nero’s neck, and yanked his hand back with a cry. Smoke curled from his fingertips. “The fire!” he gasped. “He bears the sacred flame!”
“No,” Nero said again. “No, no—this isn’t—”
But the wolf nudged him forward. The guards circled.
“The bonding must be completed before nightfall!” the head priest declared.
