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Struggling against the cold, I sprinted toward the barn. “Tee, hold on, I’m coming!” I spied him crawling on the walk as the freeze raced closer. TING TING TING TING. Crystals circled us.
No way out. “God, Tee!”
It caught me first, immobilizing my legs in ice. Unable to run, I threw vines to snare Tee. But they shattered before they reached him.
When the freeze descended on him, screams burst from his blue lips. He frantically reached for me, little fingers grasping for his mother. The terror in his eyes turned to betrayal.
Why aren’t you saving me? Why leave me here in pain?
“Tee, I can’t move, can’t get to—” My lungs froze. I couldn’t even scream as ice entombed my son forever.
As I closed my eyes and surrendered, a sound boomed over the mountain.
Richter’s laughter.
My eyes flashed open. His piping lava welled above us like a wave from hell, cresting over the castle to burn us all—
I shot upright with a gasp, waking from my nightmare.
“Evie, what is it?” Aric was beside the bed.
Between breaths, I cried, “I-I need Tee.” Tears poured down my cheeks, my body trembling. “Where is he?”
Aric hastened to the crib. “Right here.” He lifted the sleeping baby and handed him over.
Tee was warm and soft in my arms. Alive.
I hugged him to me so tightly he woke and started to cry. My heart must be pounding against his ear. The room reeked of roses.
“Easy, love.” Aric took him from me and soothed him until he drifted off again. After placing him back in his crib, Aric returned to sit beside me. “It was just a nightmare.”
I murmured, “Uh-huh. J-just a nightmare.” Or a vision? In the castle of lost time, things were getting mixed up for me again. Whatever it was, I would heed it: we couldn’t wait to act. Time had run out. “I’m supposed to fight the Emperor, Aric. I’m the only one who can.” I would silence Richter’s laughter for good. I didn’t think I’d survive it, but I’d take him down with me.
“That’s not necessarily—”
“Will you listen to me?” My lips drew back from my teeth. “It has to be me. Me.” The anguish from my nightmare wouldn’t subside, but I leaned into the pain, would use it.
Tee wasn’t safe as long as the world was screwed. We had to jump-start the game.
But how?
Softening his tone, Aric said, “I understand. And we can talk more about this in the coming days. We’ll put our heads together and refine our battle plan.”
I nodded, thoughts in turmoil.
“For now, I have some news that I think will cheer you up. I was just in the study speaking with Circe and Lark. They suggested that we invite the other Arcana to a formal dinner. I know you miss Jack, and he would probably attend a belated baby shower for Tee.”
I read the writing on the wall. Like me, Aric had decided not to wait passively for the end. Circe had just finished her spell, and we’d honed our defense until we were as ready as possible.
But he didn’t understand that I was about to kick him off the tilted stage. “What about the risks from gathering Arcana?”
In a casual tone, he said, “A dinner to demonstrate support for our allies seems prudent.”
Doesn’t it, though? Before I died, I wanted to watch Aric host allies at our table. I wanted to see Jack holding Tee.
Just as my mother had before her death, I would make the veiller with my friends, enjoying food, warmth, and conversation. Like her, I would bury my fear. My last supper.
Afterward, when Richter inevitably attacked my home, he would pay a price.
I caught my lips curving, but I needed to act hesitant. I schooled my features and said, “The heat of battle could overwhelm any one of us.”
Nod. “But we must trust our allies. In fact, before the dinner, we can all review the castle’s defenses.”
“Seeing me will be hard on Jack.”
“Yes.” Aric ran the backs of his fingers over my cheek. “But perhaps he needs a reminder of what he’s surviving for.”
“And will seeing Jack around me be hard on you?”
“I’ll be jealous of every mere glance of you he steals. But I shall manage.”
“Okay,” I said. “Let’s do it.”
“Remember, everything for Tee.”
Though I’d resisted this in the past, I managed a smile. “Everything for Tee.”
Death
So Evie thought she was going to sacrifice herself? No, sweet Empress. Now is not your time.
I kissed her forehead and murmured, “Very well.” I pulled the phone out of my pocket and texted: Battle rehearsal followed by formal dinner and belated baby shower. One week from tonight. Empress decreed attendance is mandatory.
Jack: Good timing. We sure needed a pickup around here, but you might as well text Richter too.
That’s the idea.
Jack: Copy. We’ll be there.
I’d just read his last text . . . when all the Arcana calls were restored.
