26. Hadeon

The shouting of the crowd was so loud it deafened me. I heard nothing, only a faint ringing. I saw nothing, not the waving arms filled with bushels of greens and red berries, not the smiling faces, only a blank, never-ending light. We had rushed back to Koron to complete the enchantment that would tie Malech's heart to me, and I could think of nothing else. Only that and the way my father's frown etched ever deeper as my name was chanted by the crowd over and over.

Mymagic was gone. I tried numerous times on the journey to summon it. It was like calling out into a gaping canyon; all that came back was a faint echo of myself. I needed this to work; I needed my power.

Isaw my father's face laced with disappointment and could practically feel the stone walls of the dungeons surrounding me again. Weak, powerless, pathetic. No! The dragon was dead. I had killed him with my own hands and rent him apart with my power. This would work. I would allow for nothing else.

Inthe depths of the castle, Runya scampered about, making last-minute adjustments to her glyphs. I felt nothing as she sliced open my arm with a blade, spilling my blood into a wide-brimmed bowl. I saw her face twist as the runes on the bowl didn't react.

Myfather and Plagis stood motionless behind me. I felt the king's eyes boring into my back, and I didn't dare look.

Runyadipped her fingers into my blood and flicked it about, reciting memorized incantations. Malech's heart sat in the center of the floor, its slow beat seeming to die with each passing second.

"Faster, Runya." My father's voice was deep, and even I shivered at his tone. Runya, to her credit, didn't falter, but I saw the sweat beading on the back of her neck. She finished her incantation, then came and stood beside me. The room was quieter than a grave as we watched absolutely nothing happen. The heartbeat slowed, and the heartfire died before my very eyes, and absolutely nothing happened.

Iheard my father shift behind me, but I feared death less than what he was about to say. I spun on Runya and grabbed her neck with both my hands.

"You said this would work! What did you do wrong?!" I pressed too hard for her to respond; she was already purple from the lack of air. The bowl of my blood clattered to the floor, red running along the seams between the stone tiles. She scratched at my hands with her nails, but I felt nothing. This was not happening.

Thenher eyes lit up with that deep maroon fire, and a wicked grin crossed her face. A long-forked tongue darted out as she hissed, You're nothing without me, boy.

Idropped her instantly, and she hit the ground hard. Her face was fae, my hallucination had gone. The red light remained, covering everything.

"YourMajesty…" Plagis gasped. I spun and saw that the heart had reignited and was slowly rising off the ground. The runes peeled from the floor, along with drops of my blood. They began to spin fast around the heart until I couldn't see anything but a blinding light. Power flooded out of the heart. The burns on my skin ignited anew, but I felt lightning and something more surge through me. The tide was so strong I thought I might never escape, but then the light dimmed, and the runes slowed. They spun calmly, like the moon circling the earth.

Whathad been cold and empty inside of me was filled beyond overflowing. Lightning snaked over my skin in a way I couldn't stop, the power sought an exit in its excess. I shot a bolt across the room, and Runya's worktable exploded.

Ithad cost me nothing. I didn't feel weakened, even with the loss of blood and fresh wounds. I felt stronger than ever.

Iturned around to see my father. He flexed his fingers, searching his palms as if he expected something. He gave a small sigh, then turned his attention to me with a warm smile I had never seen before.

"My son. I've never been prouder." He embraced me for the first time. It was simultaneously uncomfortable and perfect. I couldn't help but rest my head against his shoulder, even for just a moment. I was powerful, more powerful than I had dreamed. My father pulled away from me. "My son, my heir." For the first time, I believed him. I collapsed into his arms again.

Helet out a small laugh. "You have saved our world, and just in time. I have a surprise for you." The warmth left his eyes as he turned to Runya, who was still coughing on the floor. "Finish the enchantment so that only we can enter here." Runya didn't respond, but she didn't have to. She had no choice.

Myfather nodded to Plagis, his eyes darting to the coughing woman for just a moment. The man gave a confirming nod as I was led out of the room. I never saw Pallas' mother again.

PresentDay

Ididn't hear Luxos enter the room. I never did. That's why he was still alive despite his failures. He had his value.

"YourEminence, my spies tell me the princess is leaving Xyr. She is taking a cohort out into the Sea of Spirits."

Iturned to Luxos, and he needed no other command.

"We are tracking her, and my troops stand ready for an attack. She keeps the prince with her at all times."

"AndPallas?"

"Still her prisoner. The princess never lets her leave her side. AsI have said, I believe she thinks Pallas can be used as a bargaining chip."

Ilaughed, "Foolish girl. But nonetheless, should the opportunity present itself, return her to me, Luxos."

"Of course, YourEminence."

"And you know what to do with the dragon?"

"Yes, Plagis informed me of the details."

"Good." I waved my hand as a dismissal.

Luxosnodded, and I felt the magic of his shadows wrapping around him.

"Oh, and Commander…" Luxos froze. "…don't come back empty-handed again."