Page 45 of Ties of Shadow

“And yet, those were the same bits the king regent used to get rid of the Shade. Leon, you cannot use sophistry here. We don’t stand on pretense or politics. Just tell the truth, boy.”

Prince Leon’s face grew sullen. “I don’t remember the rest.”

Then Uncle Koll’s voice rose, clear and strong, echoing down the rocky canyon.

“The ruin of kingdoms from weak ones come,

but bind, entwine, and tie them some.

As day from night, the brightness fights,

A sacrifice will make things right.

Lest the deep reject the vile ones

that slink beneath and this way run.

The stars and sun turn black as pitch,

and light must fight to cure that which

has doomed us all to dark decay,

Still, love must reign and find a way.”

Uncle Koll took two more steps down the front path. “That is the prophecy, is it not?”

Prince Leon pulled at his collar. “Yes, that sounds right.”

“Does killing a faithful servant to the crown sound like love?” Uncle Koll asked.

A low blue flame lit in the prince’s balled fists. “I love my kingdom. I love my people. I demonstrate my deep love for this kingdom daily as I reign.Thatis the love that will save us.” He gave a furtive glance toward me. “We just needed to sacrifice one without…without power.”

Uncle Koll’s face was lined with sadness. “While I do believe you love your kingdom, I do not believe that murdering an innocent is ever the way to establish peace, restore hope, strengthen your people, or save your mother.”

“She’s dying.” The prince’s reply emerged as a broken wail, no longer hostile. Brokenness had even weakened the tension of his shoulders. “She’s dying, and I can’t stop it.”

My heart shattered. My queen, the woman who had loved me, was dying. Because of me.

“Arrogant. Selfish. Self-aggrandized. Egotistical maniac!”Jamison’s wings buffeted around my head. “As if you were the creator and source of life and magic. Ha! Make the sun rise and fall, and then maybe I’ll blame you. What foolishness.”The bat sweptup to the tall tower and ducked inside. Apparently, I had let down my mental blockade.

Prince Leon extended a hand through the gate toward me, but a snarl from the wolves made him pull it right back. “Just leave this place. Come with me. Come back home, Aelia.”

Home. My mind drifted to Chef, the good memories of castle life, even of my father on a good day. Leon, disheveled and vulnerable as he was, reminded me of him as a boy. My friend. The friend who had tried to—

“Do what you will, Dayspring.” The venom in the Shade’s voice astounded me. He stalked up the stairs and threw open the door. “Get off my threshold, Leon.” The shadows pulled the door closed behind him in a resounding crack.

I bustled after the Shade. “I’ll be right back, Leon.”

“But my mother!”

I held up a hand. “I know. Wait right here.”

Rushing through the manor, I sprinted to the solarium and grabbed a box filled with the latest potions. I left one box for Uncle Koll, but this should be enough for a week or more depending on how sick the queen really was. I returned hastily and carefully to the gate.

Leon’s gaze lit with momentary hope until he saw the box of potions. “You’re not coming back, are you.”

Of course not, but his guilt almost changed my answer. “N—I—Not yet, Leon. Take these to the queen. They should help for now.”

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