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October 24 - October 27, 2025
Scarlett appeared at his side, a dagger in her trembling hand. He was certain he’d never seen her so much as twitch when it came to taking life. “Quick and painless,” she whispered, stepping behind him while he lowered to his knees. “Thank you, Scarlett,” he said, raising his voice to be heard over the panic around them. To be heard over Tava’s screams. “Tell her …” “I will, Callan,” Scarlett answered, a hand reaching around to cup his chin and hold him steady.
A surge of darkness came from Scarlett, flaring out and into the room and throwing everyone back. When it had receded, the mirror gate was glowing and Alaric was gone. “What the fuck?” Razik demanded, moving closer to the mirror. Orvyn was chuckling softly. “Foolish girl,” he chided. “He had already Marked the mirror. All he needed was some of your Chaos. Achaz comes.”
Drake released Tava, and she raced to him, throwing herself into his arms. He clutched her close, stroking her hair as she cried into his neck.
She lifted her head, pressing her lips to his. It was all wrong, her wet and salty tears tarnishing the pure sunlight taste he’d never been able to accurately describe. There weren’t words to describe her. There never had been, not in any language.
“Know that I thought I knew what love was, but I was wrong. I did not know what love was until I found it with you. You are my light, Tava.”
Her hands came up to frame his face, and she forced a sad smile. “I love you, Callan. You are a king worthy of your crown. I would have followed you to the ends of the realm and beyond.”
“He said …” Drake’s eyes dipped to Balam’s body once before meeting Tava’s gaze again. “He said that he’d made a vow to our mother. That he’d vowed we would never know the pain and suffering she had. He was drawing something on his arm. I don’t know—”
is a Blood Vow Mark.” “To who?” Drake asked. “No way of knowing now, but from the sounds of it, I would say it was to your mother,” he answered. “A Blood Vow demands fulfillment.”
“He somehow transferred the life bond to himself,” Razik muttered, back to studying the invisible Mark that was apparently on Balam’s forearm. “That shouldn’t be possible, but there is no other explanation.”
“Are you saying Callan does not have to give up his life?” Tava asked, her voice trembling for an entirely different reason now. “Is that what you are telling me, Razik?” “It would appear that way,” Razik confirmed. “It would seem that the male who raised you cared for you both very deeply. More than he cared about what he was sent here to do.”
