Page 107 of To No End

Each phrase, Theory repeated the words aloud, staring into Varro’s eyes and keeping the blade pressed firmly against his neck. When the last word left her lips, she quickly swiped the blade across Varro’s neck.

I watched his body react in panic, and though I could not see his eyes, I knew there was terror in them. Before I could reach for him to offer aid, Theory quickly grabbed his bleeding throatwith her other hand and held it firmly for only a second before pulling it away, revealing she had quickly healed his wound. Her ebony hand was still covered in his blood, but she showed no hint of concern or regret. I watched Varro’s hands tremble at his sides before he grabbed for his neck, checking to make sure the wound was not there.

Theory then handed the blade to Varro, nudging him to face me next. This was pure insanity. My pulse raced, my chest rising and falling with immense fear as I gazed up into those crystal blue eyes, knowing what was coming next. He didn’t have to say anything. I could see it in the way his jaw was clenched tightly; he could have cracked a tooth.

I gave him an almost imperceptible nod, knowing we would not escape this. With my small gesture of permission, he raised the blade to my throat, still wet with his blood. His hand was unsteady and I could feel it quivering against my skin. Idris repeated the words, but I could only hear Varro’s voice as he spoke the oath emptily.

Our gazes locked and I could see small tears forming in his eyes. All of a sudden, I felt a warmth spread over me like a blanket or a tight hug, immediately calming my nerves and diluting my fear completely. Then Varro grabbed the back of my head at my nape, tilting my face back ever so slightly before swiping the blade across my throat as gently as he could while still drawing blood.

He immediately dropped the blade, and before I could even react to the pain, his other hand was there over my throat, soothingly hot. There was no pain, only the warmth of his fingertips woven into my hair and pressed against my throat.

He held them there, and only when he removed both hands did the dreamlike state I had been in recede and everyone else came back into view. He turned his attention to the bloodiedblade on the ground. He picked it up and placed it carefully in my hands, letting his fingers linger.

I gulped down my nerves as I turned to face Trace. Had I known we’d ever be doing something like this, I’d probably have practiced healing others much more diligently. Would I be able to pull this off quickly? How much pain would he feel if I wasn’t quick enough?

There I was staring into his hazel eyes, realizing how we’d come full circle. The first time my eyes had met his, he’d held a blade to a stranger’s neck. Since then, much had changed between us and about us. Part of me felt like he was a stranger now.

I held the blade against his throat and began to repeat each line of the oath, following Idris’ words. Time seemed to stand still as my thoughts waged war on my heart. There were so many feelings of betrayal between us; I’d never felt more distant from him than in this moment.

Two distinct feelings battled deep inside my heart. One being indescribable sadness, and the other being uncontrollable anger. Trace’s expression screamedForgive mebut there was no forgiveness in my heart. Not as I took an oath to protect him with my life, knowing he had already failed to protect mine.

I slid the knife across his throat, and he didn’t even flinch. It was as if he was accepting of this fate, of the pain that would ensue. His ambivalence welcomed it like an old friend. I let myself witness one drop of blood before I held my hand firmly against his throat and used all my focus and energy to heal him quickly and thoroughly.

When I removed my hand to reveal that the wound was no more, his expression was numb. My breath hitched as he grabbed the blade from my hand and turned his back on me to face Gia.

Each of us took the oath, culminating with Cairis swearing in Nori. We all turned to face Idris, our throats and hands smeared in each other’s blood forcing us to realize the fragility of our existence.

“Welcome to the Imperi, brothers and sisters. May the enemies of our king never see us coming.” Idris smiled wickedly.

The next morning, they began our crash course in utilizing the moonstones. Most of their focus was on ensuring Trace and Gia knew what they were doing, since it had been determined they’d be the first to leave with Idris. This meant the rest of us would have only slightly more time to hone our skills. I was not shocked that I was chosen to stay behind, since Saryn and I had barely made a dent in my training.

I had to admit, I did not like the idea of two of our members being sent off on their own. It seemed better for us to go together, but no one had asked for my opinion. The plan had been determined by Saryn, Theory, and Idris without room for argument.

Gia was going to be planted as a member of the new queen of Artume’s court; one of her ladies-in-waiting. Everyone knew the risks that came with this, and I was almost certain that was Idris’ intention. Ladies often ended up as some sort of concubine or consort for the king or his inner circle. Once again, she was being set up as bait. This was what she got for being the most beautiful and gifted in shapeshifting.

Trace, not shockingly, would be inserted as a member of the military, which would allow him to demonstrate loyalty, work his way up the ranks, and eventually be in charge of protecting the Royal family themselves. This would also keep him close enough to Gia to allow them to coordinate and exchange information.

Additionally, by embedding himself in the enemy’s military he’d have more exposure to any plans to march on or attack the border. Most importantly, he could gauge how many of them were truly loyal to the new king versus just trying to keep their heads attached to their shoulders.

Most of the time, we watched and listened as Trace and Gia practiced using the moonstones to portal from one space to the next within the confines of Basdie. The rest of us were anxious to give them a try but remained patient, knowing that their time with us was dwindling, and it was far more important that they felt comfortable and capable with the stones.

They needed to understand how to use them, how to hide them, and the associated risks on top of what little briefing they could receive from Idris about where they were headed and the plans to install them in the inner circle.

About a day ago, Trace started wearing a glamour full time. His tattoos were completely hidden now, and the scar on his brow missing. While the black cloaks did not operate in Artume, the kingdom had likely heard the rumors. He could not run the risk of being identified; he’d need to keep up a constant front not only of his physical appearance, but also his mental shields. Gia would be doing the same, keeping her mind locked down while determining when and how it made sense to shift in order to gain information and access.

We’d been so focused on their exit and ensuring they were prepared that I spent little to no time focused on dark wielding. But I knew as soon as they left, my training with Saryn would intensify ten-fold.

Idris would be back soon and likely expecting that the remainder of us were ready to go. We weren’t, but now was the time.

When I had been sent to serve the king, I had never thought we’d be crossing the border to infiltrate Artume. But I had alsonever thought the southern king’s brother would assassinate him.

CHAPTER

34

The day had arrived where Idris would escort Trace and Gia south to their next destination. I was nervous for them, but I needed to appear confident for their sake. If I were being sent behind enemy lines, I’d want to know those closest to me actually believed I’d be okay.

Nori helped Gia pack what little she’d brought, even though most of her belongings did not matter. Instead, the king’s tailor had already prepared an assortment of gowns and fineries packed into ornate trunks. Vastly different from the attire of a Northern noble, these thin, delicate pieces concealed little, bordering on indecent. If Gia was going to successfully convince them she came from wealth, then she’d need to appear so. Solid gold accessories ranging from chains, charms, and intricate headpieces to compliment her beauty were packed neatly in a velvet lined chest.

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