Flame and Sparrow (Flame and Sparrow Duology Book 1)

by S.M. Gaither

“So perhaps I’ll just stand among the ashes with you,” he said, “and admire your work.” “I could allow that.”

I was one of the weakest beings in this realm, but in that moment, I felt powerful beyond measure.

“If it’s any encouragement, I am imploring you to commit blasphemy.”

Quietly, I said, “It’s almost as if…as if something is trying to break in as we speak.” He nodded, his expression grim. “Something that threatens the very structure of our world and magic.” “What is it?” “We aren’t sure. We’ve tried to trace the source on the other side several times without success. But every day here lately, the strikes against the barrier grow more numerous. More violent. This past week has been particularly bad, which is part of what triggered that meeting of the courts last night.”

“She got away?” “And worse, she didn’t go back to her realm empty-handed. She took several things from the Death God’s palace that we know of—and likely more that we don’t know of—for purposes that to this day we can only guess at.”

“The failed ascendant was your sister.”

At my back, far in the distance, I heard Zell whinnying loudly. Desperately. A warning. I ignored it and stepped inside.

“This pool is known as Berethryl. To drink of its water is to forget the taste of all other things, to erase all that came before and start anew.”

How had my sister broken through the barrier between realms? What sort of lasting damage had she done? Could I fix it, somehow? Or was my presence here only going to make things worse?

“And I haven’t slept since the night I had you beside me.” It sounded like a confession, soft and intimate.

“I fell asleep with you in my arms, woke up the same way, and now everything else feels unbalanced in comparison. You’ve ruined me, I’m afraid, and it’s obvious to anyone paying attention—Valas won’t shut the fuck up about it. He’s been even more insufferable than usual.”

“Am I hurting you?” He was, but I didn’t want him to stop.

I found a shabby little tavern that looked like it would have exceptional gossip and passable food.

“I didn’t think I’d ever see you again.” He whispered the words, his voice slightly unsteady. “After what happened, after what I said…I didn’t think you would ever dare set foot here again.” “Wildfires can be unpredictable,” I reminded him, my voice mirroring his hushed tone.

“As long as we can at least vaguely remember what it feels like to be in pain, it makes us less likely to inflict pain upon mortals.”

“Well, you’ve managed it,” she told me with a wry grin. “Managed what?” “To burn so brightly the gods could not ignore you.” I returned her grin despite the pit in my stomach. “For better or worse,” I said.

“There isn’t an easy, direct translation into any other language…because it’s more like an idea. A feeling. We have a story in my old kingdom, that when the one you’re meant to be with enters the world, they steal a part of your soul with their first breath. “And you exist, missing that part, until they find you and breathe it back into you. Miran-achth refers to the breath—the part that is missing. You can survive without it. Plenty do. But to have the missing piece is to breathe easier, more deeply. The first time the term left my lips, I wasn’t thinking of that story, really; I was only thinking of how relieved I was to have you back with me. How you had survived the trial, so I could inhale again.”

“Their real target was the Tower of Ascension,”

“Your sister will be so disappointed when I tell her what’s become of you,” he said.