Page 140 of Blood Feast

“They’re to be forged and stored within the Queens’ Ward,” Mak explained, “but on the other side of the Sea of Komne, where Nike’s forge and Waystar already are. In southern Orthros, we can build a forge on one of the islands, like the Armory of Akofo. Stewards can take their arms with them on patrol, but leave them in the armory when off duty.”

“This sounds like a sensible extension of current policy,” Cassia said.

Mak pushed his hair back from his face. “The Stand could also supply Hesperines errant with arms under the First Prince’s supervision. I thought Rudhira might even want a forge at Castra Justa.”

“He’s being modest,” Lio put in. “He outlined suggested changes to Charge Law to make this reform with the lowest risk.”

“The Prince would have to approve them,” Mak replied.

“No doubt he would find it a plan after his own heart,” Lio said.

Cassia nodded. “Rudhira chooses his forces carefully and can judge who should be trusted with armaments.”

Lio took a step closer to Mak, planting his staff on the floor. “Hesperines can be trusted with armaments. For the same reason we can be trusted with immortality. Hespera blessed us—or cursed us—with the ultimate limitation on our power. The Blood Union.”

“Empathy,” Cassia said.

It felt more like a curse in a room full of people Lio loved who were hurting. All their emotions were running high, throbbing out of the raw edges of their flagging veil spells. In the center of it all, Cassia’s unconcealed heart beat. Once the most closed of them all, but now the most open.

When Mak didn’t reply, Lyros broke the silence. “It’s a good proposal.” He paused. “I wish you’d told me.”

“It doesn’t matter now,” Mak replied lightly. “Fugitives can’t march into the Firstblood Circle for a cordial policy debate.”

But Lio knew that whether or not the firstbloods ever saw that proposal, it would never cease to matter that Mak had not made Lyros a part of it.

21

Nights After

WINTER SOLSTICE

CALL OF GLASS

“No,” Cassia pleaded.

She couldn’t see the Collector. But she knew he was here with her before the door.

“No, please,” she begged him. “Anything but this.”

She couldn’t hear his laughter. But she felt it. He savored her desperation like a fine wine.

Pain erupted out of her heart, and she clutched her chest. His icy, unseen hand reached for the spark of power and promise inside her. His nails dug into her magic.

“No, please,” she sobbed, grasping at her magic, at herself.

It slipped through her fingers. So beautiful. He was taking it from her, the only treasure she’d ever had, and she would be empty forever.

The door shuddered. Her hoarse screams and the rumble of stone echoed through the halls. She went down on her knees as her power bled out of her throat and the door cracked open.

Through the blur of her tears, she saw what lay beyond the portal.

A second door, sealed tighter than the last.

“Cassia!”

Another presence filled the halls. So much power. His resonant voice could bend the world to the shape of his words.

Glasstongue.

---