Page 122 of Embers in the Snow

To her credit, Sylhara’s expression remains completely deadpan. “Even a halfling with directdryadlineage can become immensely powerful. Her magic concerns the forest, from which all wood is derived. Therefore, she should be able to manipulate any kind of wooden object, and commune with the trees themselves. Under her power, some of the ancient ones can even grow beyond their earthly limitations. Thesealwas probably put in place to protect her from stupid Rahavans, who shun magic as if it’s worse than the plague. If she had shown any signs of magical ability when she was young, your people probably wouldn’t have let her survive. But you can’t escape magic. Youaremagic now,O’Kral.”

“Considering that Iamof those stupid Rahavans, the irony of it all hasn’t escaped me,” I say dryly. Perhaps this is the Gods’ way of getting back at my father. “So. What are we to do about this seal?”

“A powerful seal requires powerful magic to break. How fortunate that we have you, a Son of Hecoa, with the blood of the goddess herself running through your veins. This must be a fated meeting, for you have death-magic and she possesses life-magic. Just as your magic can reverse death to a certain extent, hers can erase it altogether. In particular, you would find her incomparably invigorating. Life negates death. Death negates life. But when all is in balance, life and death also sustain one another.”

I meet Finley’s eyes. Her delicate lips part in surprise.

Suddenly, it’s all so obvious. Why she reacted that way when she took that wine, laced with my vampiric blood.

“My blood can break the seal,” I murmur.

Sylhara and Maiian nod in unison before Sylhara even has a chance to translate.

“And what happens to me when the seal’s broken?” Finley’s voice is brimming with nervous energy. “What if I can’t control the magic? Is there anyone here that can teach me how to use it?”

Sylhara consults with the shamans and the elders. They speak for a while, carefully weighing up the possibilities. Sometimes, they speak in proverbs, the concepts too complicated for me to grasp with my limited Khaturian.

But it’s clear that breaking Finley’s magical seal isn’t without its risks. The Khaturians haven’t encountered someone like her before.

They don’t really know what to do with her.

For me, the answer is already obvious.

Aralya.

I lean across and whisper into her ear. “I’m not going anywhere. And I have the key to your power. Let’s keep the seal intact for now, until we know more. Until we find someone that can truly teach you what you are. I want you to be safe, Finley.”

She looks up at me. Her eyes are wide and filled with trust.

It’s a look that spears right through my heart, putting tiny hooks into my soul.

How can I disappoint her? This fragile, brave, trusting creature, who’s both calculating and innocent?

The more I understand her, the more obsessed I become. And if there’s one thing I can use all my power to defeat, it’s her father’s stupidity and wickedness.

We’re going to the capital.

We’re going to find her mother.

Nothing can keep me from the truth. All of father’s armies can’t stop me.

And those who plot from the shadows; who dare try and meddle with what ismine…

If any harm comes to her, I’ll destroy them.

Even the emperor himself.

37

CORVAN

By the time we return to Tyron Castle, the sun has started to slip behind the mountains, casting the valley in shadow.

Through my dark glasses, I have a clear view of the castle from up high as we stand on a precipice, taking a small rest before we rejoin the world.

The entire trip back, Finley’s been uncharacteristically quiet. She was muted when we bid farewell to the Khaturians, her eyes brimming with unspoken thoughts.

She said very little as I took her into my arms and brought her down the mountain.

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