We landed in the northern forests of Novosk, hidden among ancient trees. It felt like only hours ago we were here, with Irina, smiling with full hearts by a warm fire. I slipped from Hae and fell to my knees.

“Rozin,” said Andiya. “We need to get Jiyi to a doctor. She’s burning up.”

Hae whined. Andiya stoked his neck soothingly.

“There aren’t any doctors around here. The nearest major city is Ryalgrad—and they’d either kill us or send us back to the princess.”

Andiya pushed Jiyi’s hair from her eyes. Jiyi was sweating, red, her eyes twitching in pain. We couldn’t waste any time.

“And Verahai?” I asked.

“Not moving. Breathing, still, but it doesn’t look like for long.” Andiya ran a trembling hand through her hair. She’d pass out from the poison soon, even if I held her magic. We couldn’t stay here. Irina would send people after us. We had no other option.

Find this and other great novels on the author's preferred platform. Support original creators!

“You know where we have to go,” I said.

“I know,” whispered Andiya.

Hae panted through the forest at Andiya’s direction. At the edge of a ruined town, I walked alone. I asked for directions from the townspeople—who did not recognize me in my Eon’s uniform—and we came to a small but handsome house at the edge of a flagstone road.

The daemons stood behind me as I knocked on the door.

Lady Ilyin answered, jewels glittering in her brow. She stared at us silently, hatred burning in her eyes. But she didn’t scream in rage, didn’t slam the door. She did not say a word.

“We’re here because we need your help. I will beg if I have to.”

Lady Ilyin didn’t react. Her eyes searched the daemons behind me, landed on the unconscious Jiyi draped on Hae’s back.

“And … we’re here to join you. To fight. We will stand with House Ilyin against the crown, no matter the cost.”

She stepped aside.

“Come in.”

END OF BOOK ONE