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Isn’the?
A gentle breeze tugs at my hair. It’s strange, but I almost think I can feel the plants and trees around me; reaching toward me, exuding a certain sense of comfort.
I can’t explain it.
Everything will be fine.
That’s what I try to tell myself.
But then I hear something behind me; a commotion, a clash of metal on metal.
Peace was only fleeting; I should have known it would go back to this.
For chaos seems to be the eternal state of the world.
Did I read that in a book somewhere?
I turn around.
The Elite Guards are fighting… with Emperor Valdon Duthriss.
Emperor…?
I blink furiously, trying to clear my vision. Am I seeing correctly, or am I hallucinating.
No.It’s real. The dead emperor is on his feet, swinging a heavy sword in a way that should be physically impossible for his frail body. Behind him is another attacker—a slender man wearing white robes, his hair concealed beneath white wrappings.
Theembalmer.
He’s got a sword too. How does an embalmer know how to wield a sword?
There’s a crimson bloom in the center of his chest.Blood.He’s been stabbed.
Dread turns my throat dry.
As I catch sight of them, both the emperor and the embalmer look at me.
Their eyes glow unearthly green—the same as Kinnivar’s did when he abducted me.
They turn toward me.
Oh, my Goddess.
They’reundead,and someone’s controlling them.
My mind makes a silent plea; a desperate wish. I say a silent prayer to my beloved.Corvan, if you’re anywhere near the necromancer, please do something!
Einvar and Kharuk attack, holding the animated bodies—for that’s all they are—at bay with a supreme display of swordsmanship. I can see why they’re Elite Guards. They move with deadly grace and brutal efficiency, in contrast with the undead, whose attacks are crude and vicious.
But the undead are frightfully strong and fast, thanks to the magic that animates them. I swear I canfeelit; a dark, discordant energy that fills the space between us.
Einvar is yelling, calling for his comrades; barking orders at his battle-partner.
Kharuk raises his blade and backs away, moving in my direction. He enters the garden, never taking his eyes off the attackers.
Protecting me at all costs.
Bless these guards. They really did swear complete loyalty to Corvan.
