Romak sat on the parapet of the tower hidden in the clouds. He hadn’t expected Draken to find him a place in the sky. His brother was of the earth, never venturing farther up than a boulder. Cathesor, however, was of the sky like him. She was as beautiful as the air with blonde hair and eyes so blue they hurt to look at. If he’d married her as their parents had arranged, they’d be ruling the realms now, but his parents had died, and he’d broken that covenant when he’d met his queen.
“Romak, the time is now. Are you ready?” Cathesor stood at the back of the balustrade made from clay and dirt. The villa may exist in the sky, but it was made of the earth, built by Draken and the Credark clan.
He stood, the clouds shifting beneath his feet. “If this abode falls, the bricks will tumble to the ground like a storm of boulders.
“Then we shall make sure it crashes over our enemies’ heads,” she said.
He smiled. “You’ve become even more vicious over the years. It looks good on you. Puts color in your cheeks.”
“Tribulations do that.”
“I’m sorry…for everything.” His betrayal and imprisonment hadn’t been easy on her either.
“So you claim, but enough of the past. Are you sure about this? Once you set the magic loose you won’t be able to control the outcome.”
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“I will control everything.” He wouldn’t lose them. He’d worked too hard to find them.
“That’s not how it works.”
“Enough.” He waved his hand, and the wind pushed her backward.
“Stop that.” She struck back, making the air leave his lungs. “You’re acting like a child. This temper of yours caused all this.”
“It wasn’t my temper they disliked. It was my choice in brides.”
“Yes, of course.” Her face heated.
“Cathesor…” He hadn’t meant to hurt her, not then and not now.
“You should begin.” She turned, stopping in the doorway. “I hope you’re right and you can control what you start because if you can’t, lives will be lost.”
He was well aware of the price of actions. He’d been imprisoned for one and had spent centuries analyzing every possible scenario to ensure that he’d be victorious. He closed his eyes, his spirit and most of his body dissipating into the wind. He flew on currents he created, the feeling familiar and yet so strange after being motionless for years.
It was easy to find the Weave. The wind didn’t like being blocked. It battered the wall of magic, creating gusts even an earthbound could feel. He glided along the barrier, his hands skimming across the fabric, searching for weakness. The Weave was strong but those who’d left the realms of magic years ago to live in Migar weakened it. The barrier wanted to welcome back those lost to the world their ancestors had abandoned.
A slight tickle danced over his fingers, followed by a jab, like the pricking of a pin. “There you are.” She was strong. Stronger than he’d imagined she’d be living in the vile land where humans reigned, and magic hid.
The light peeked through the tear. It was the opening he needed. He tugged on the thread, making it spin and pull, causing the hole to grow. It was time for the sacrifice. The earth always required an offering and for magic this strong the price would be blood.