inside his own shadow. “To begin the Game,” the tsar said, “we—” “Pardon me, Your Imperial Majesty,” the girl said. “I have a question.” Nikolai shifted in place. Was the girl really so bold that she would interrupt the tsar? “What is it?” The tsar practically spat the question. The girl was unfazed in her shroud. Bold indeed. “Why must the Game end in death? I understand that the Imperial Enchanter needs to be the sole conduit of magic, but why can’t one enchanter win, and the other step aside?” The tsar huffed. “And what would the other enchanter do? Retire to the countryside and promise
...more
