Page 140 of Shadows of Ruin

“Thames was a gifted Fae. Charming, cunning, he wrapped people around his finger and bent them to his will. When we met, I felt the bond and wanted to make all of his dreams come true. All of my dreams come true. So I excused the things he did to gain such immense power. I used my own power to help him.” She brought her fingertips to her lips, swallowing audibly. “I helped him and am guilty of many things the Fates will never forgive—things I cannot forgive. You know I can heal and see. These abilities should not coincide together. But I was special, and he made me feel exceptional. I was the only one of my kind—a seer and a sorceress. I was his.”

“There’s no such thing as sorceresses,” Lana whispered.

“Not anymore, no. And not then either, save for my mother and me.” For the first time ever, Cassandra shed a tear. “Thames twisted my love, our mating bond, until I foresaw my sister dying to save me. I saw the destruction of our lands. I saw the withering of life, crawling in an eternally blackened land. So I fled.” The fire again sparked behind her, almost asthough it reacted to the emotions in Cassandra herself. “I approached Thames’s enemies, Queen Evelyn and King Jasper.”

Lana sucked in a breath and Cassandra chuckled. “Yes, your Queen Evelyn. Together, we trapped Thames, creating the void. It separated Atheria in two, creating Brookmere and Mysthaven, the worlds we live in today.”

She stared at the fire, silent for a few moments, but neither Lana nor I spoke. The woman who’d wiped blood from my back, who encouraged me to keep going every time I faltered under my father’s reign, was more powerful than I’d ever imagined. After a thousand years, she’d spent her time caring for me, leading me to this moment.

“Such magic required sacrifices,” she whispered. “Sacrifices greater than you could ever imagine. We may not have been strong enough to defeat Thames for good, but we trapped him, containing him to the void to protect our world.”

She focused on Lana. “You, sweet girl, will learn more truths when you find your mother’s journal. As you know, the rest of Brookmere is unaware of Mysthaven, or even King Jasper.” Her face softened into a smile as she looked at me next. “Your father should have told you all of this by now, but he has been consumed by his own greed for power. The amulet he wears uses the power of your line to keep Thames trapped in the void. Contained. It requires each king to sacrifice himself at the end of his reign, feeding his magic into the amulet before passing it to his heir.”

I froze.

“Kade,” Lana whispered, her breath heavily exhaling from her. “That sounds like what Andras is doing with magic.”

Cassandra’s gaze darkened. “Thames is growing strong again. I have felt it these past few years. Your father is not containing him but feeding him. He has ruled too long, Prince.”

“How would Andras know about this?” Lana asked.

Cassandra rose again, rubbing her arms. “He has come to me in dreams. Our mating bond not yet severed. His power has spread, infecting and festering in the hearts of the broken. The darkness spreading and feeding on your Fae is him. His power. He must have a way to get through to others willing to give him their blind faith.”

“If you weren’t enough to stop him—” I started, but one look at Lana stopped those thoughts, and I ignored the seed of doubt growing inside me. “What must we do?”

Cassandra walked up to me, cupping my face. “Ask yourself, Kade Blackthorn, why Fate decided—after years with no guidance, no prophecies—to grant two?”

“Us,” Lana said, standing as well. “You think we are the ones to defeat him? I have no magic.” She looked at me, panicked, and in a few strides I stood by her side, taking her hand in mine.

Regardless of if my Little Rebel saw it, Fate had chosen wisely with her. Compared to her, I was the one who wasn’t worthy. Yet as the tether in my chest throbbed, igniting at the feel of Lana’s hand in mine, I knew Cassandra spoke the truth.

The man Lana made me, the man who fell in love and refused to lose it. That man would burn the entire kingdom down for her—his mate.

That’s what she was.

There was no longer any doubt in my mind, in my soul. This thing with Lana was a gift I may not be worthy of, but one I wouldneverlet go. I would face this evil for her. For a future with my fucking queen. Without hesitation.

“You are more than whatever magic you believe you lack, Illiana,” I whispered, kissing the palm of her hand.

Cassandra let out a moan and fell to the side.

“Cassandra,” I cried out, reaching for her as she fell near the fire.

“I’m fine,” she hissed, rising as she smacked at my hands.Just as I predicted she would. “Today has taken a toll on us all. I don’t need to warn you to be careful. Thames may be trapped for now, but he has been starved of the power he craves for a thousand years, waiting to be set free. Something has changed, even if the Fates have kept me blind to what exactly that something is.” She rubbed her forehead. “Thames is cunning, and underestimating him would be a mistake for all of us. I have seen firsthand how desperate evil men get when they feel their power slipping. Stand together, and the Fates will guide you. As will I, when my interference will not hurt our survival.”

Lana blew out a shaky breath.

“Let me at least help you to your room,” I offered the seer, but she refused me. Again.

“I am capable without your hand, my prince.” She patted where she had just smacked me away, but then, in an uncharacteristic move, wrapped her arms around me. “I never meant to love you as I do. If the Fates had blessed me with a child, I would have wished for them to be just like you.”

She rubbed my arm and turned away from me. I stared, dumbfounded at the sweet words from a woman who I, too, had loved like family. I didn’t dare want to acknowledge that the way she spoke sounded too much like a goodbye.

At her bedroom door she turned to face us again, but only looked at Lana. “I am not the only one who heard Fates call when the dagger returned home to you.” She lifted her finger and pointed directly at Lana. “Illiana, find my sister.”

Chapter 40

Lana

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