Page 58 of From Frost to Flame

The wolves lunged with mouths open, seeking flesh to sink into. Then, heat licked Silas's skin.

Silas didn’t process what had happened at first as blue flames scorched and melted the snow down to the sand. The wolves shrieked and retreated as the wall of blue flames rose higher.

“Wake up!” Lex demanded, grabbing Silas's arm. He looked half asleep, and he swayed on his feet. “We need to go up. We’ll get away if we climb, but I need you with me.”

“Right.” Silas helped him on his back. “I’m here.” He leapt for the first branch and kept his eyes locked on the glowing gem high above. The wind roared as they made the long climb into the thickening fog, but he could still hear his parents’ barks and growls. His throat tightened as the shame of his failure wrapped around him.

“Hey, it’s okay.” Lex gripped him tighter. “If I saw Michael, I can’t imagine what I’d do. I can only imagine who’s here for you. You don’t need to beat yourself up.”

“But you drained yourself for me,” Silas said, shaking his head and ignoring the growls below. “I won’t mess up again. I have you.”

The branches grew thicker and longer until they were basically trees themselves. Eventually Silas and Lex climbed onto a branch so wide that they could stand side by side with room to spare. They braced against each other to keep from being blown off by the howling wind. Directly ahead of them was the black gemstone. It was small but shined into the snowy night like a beacon. The soul within it hissed, as if sensing their presence.

“I’m going to try to claw it out.” Silas touched the rough bark to judge the thickness. “Stay close to me.”

“I can help.” Lex held out his hand. “It’s hard, but something about this place makes it easier to tap into my powers, even if it’s exhausting.”

“No,” Silas said, standing in front of him. “You pushed yourself too hard already. You need to let me do this.”

Lex grumbled and reluctantly stepped back.

He shifted into his wolf form and used his claws to scrape through the bark. His parents’ declarations of hatred below, Lex’s anxiety, his worry for Castor, and his own fear and shame pushed him forward.

I have to get us out of here.

Black bark chipped away, forming a pile at his feet. He had to close his eyes so the blinding light didn’t burn his eyes. Just as his claws tapped the edge of the stone’s surface, a wall of bricks slammed into him.

The next thing he knew, he was tumbling down through the snowy winds. He crashed onto a branch nearly a hundred feet below. A sharp pain shot through his ribs, and he sucked a sharp breath through his teeth.

“Silas!” Lex cried, peering over the edge.

He shifted back to human and held his side. Normally his bones would start healing immediately, but the burn of pain just spread over his side. Whatever was broken was staying broken. He looked up to see Arden, covered in blue fae blood, charging him.

Silas dodged his wild swings, noting how Arden’s eyes were red with tears.He’s emotional and erratic. I can use that to get back to Lex.

“One prince kills another. Tale as old as time in the fae realm, I guess.”

“Shut your mouth,” Arden hissed.

“Was it easier to kill River the second time?” he asked. He knew very little about the younger prince, but it didn’t take much to guess what Arden had done. “You killed your father’s first choice for the throne. Perhaps he was right about you being too power hungry.”

“I said shut up!” He lunged and missed again.

“Does your father know yet? I’m sure he’ll break when he hears his lineage is doomed to end with you. You fae covet your family names.”

“Shut up, shut up, shut up!” Arden swung his sword like a petulant child.

Silas dipped and dodged on the offensive as he fought to get back to Lex. The thick scent of smoke and embers filled the air.

No. He can’t be serious.

He looked up to see Lex trying to burn through to the gem on his own. His flames were low but grew as they spread over the wood. An ache ran down his arms as Lex’s body bled energy by the second.

Always so stubborn.

A hiss through the snow caught his attention, and he snatched the air and caught a glowing green arrow before it plunged into his chest. He tossed it over his shoulder and into the snowy wind in annoyance. “Arden, this has to end.”

“You want to know if killing my brother twice was hard? It wasn’t. My father was going to skip me because I’m not weak. Because I see what Wisteria could be—what it should be. I’m not going to let you stand in the way of my birthright. I’m taking the vampire and the compass, and I’m handing them over to The Ravenous One so she assists me as promised.” Arden drew his sword again, refusing to back down. “I’m not letting you ruin this for me so, despite what she said, I’m not leaving you alive.”

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