“She could spy on us and use her bond to filter everything to him. Our entire way of life could fall,” Kian said, unknowingly filling in the risks for me.
Stunned by this revelation, my fear turned to anger. How dare they even try to stop Rage and me from sealing our bond? And for what? Power?
“He could encourage the lower mages to stage a rebellion or insist we take care of them,” Snade growled.
Orion swallowed hard. “Can you imagine the lower mages running around here?”
All three men grumbled or snarled.
“He could ruin everything,” Snade said. “We can’t allow it!”
“He must be stopped,” Kian stated, which was followed by murmured assent.
The three of them continued talking, but my mind spun, unable to process any more than fragments of their speech, and I rested my head against the shelf.
Blood mage? That sounded dark … and powerful.
But … surely they wouldn’t … they couldn’t…
I couldn’t even finish the thought. I knew there was no level of depravity these men wouldn’t stoop to in an effort to preserve their control. Hadn’t they just admitted to trying to kill me? And they’d interfered in Rage’s ascent to the throne by giving Mallory’s father that spelled necklace. Who knew what else they’d done—or how long they’d been pulling strings.
The sky deepened from cerulean to rich sapphire, and the lights in the library brightened. I raised my head and blinked, my gaze zeroing in on the gold plaque label of the shelf: 2B2.
This was the row Grandpa told me to find.
I forced a swallow and craned my neck up to the top shelf and let my gaze fall on the golden inscription of the tome’s title: Betrayal of an Empire.
Shock punched me, and I turned my gaze toward the deepening sky—and nearly screamed.
There I was—or rather there was my reflection in the window—just like a mirror.
Frick!
Could they see me?
Panic seized my lungs, and I scurried backward, bumping into the shelf—and somehow knocked a book down. Apparently, my ghostly soul could still move objects—good to know, and also freaky.
“What was that?” Snade asked, and someone’s chair scraped the floor.
I dropped to the ground and crawled away on my hands and knees.
“Orion, pull the air from the room,” Kian snapped. “Let’s find out who’s here.”
No. No. No.
Wait!
What was I doing? I just needed to get back to my body.
I sat up and leaned against the shelf, closing my eyes.
Please let this work!
I thought of Gramps sitting at the bistro table in his gardens … his castle in the background.
I felt a tug in my navel, and then the smell of roses perfumed the air. The kiss of a cool breeze tickled the hairs on the back of my neck—or was that someone breathing?
Someone rested their hand on my shoulder, and my eyes flew open as I yelped.
“Nai, it’s just me,” Reyna said, bringing her hands up in surrender.
She stood directly in front of me, her features twisted with worry.
My gaze leapt from her to the chair on the other side of the small wrought-iron table where my grandfather sat.
He offered me a sad smile, but his only question was, “Did you get the title?”
I pushed back from the table, my entire body trembling as I stared at him. He knew … somehow … he knew what I’d just seen. Maybe he was there too, just hiding.
Forcing a swallow, I nodded. “Betrayal of an Empire.”
He sucked in a small breath and then tilted his chin and looked up at the floating orb that hovered in the darkness of the sky. “She’s passed her test for spirit. Let it be recorded for all to see. The initiation is done. Nai Crescent is my rightful heir and will start training at once.”
Lightning crackled across the sky, causing me to jump. The bolt of energy struck the bubble. With a loud rumble of thunder, the orb disappeared.
Grandpa’s gaze returned to mine, and I couldn’t help the tears filling my eyes.
How was it possible that only a few weeks ago, he was robust and full of life, and now … my grandfather’s body appeared frail—and withered? How was it possible that the high mages were so evil—and consumed with power? How long had Gramps known?
“Your classes start in the morning,” he said, offering me a small smile.
There were so many things I wanted to ask him. So many things I needed to say—so many questions I needed him to answer—but first … I needed to make everything right with Rage.
“I’ll be back,” I managed to choke out, my voice warbling with each word. “I need—” The thought that someone might be eavesdropping stopped me. With a shake of my head, I repeated, “I’ll be back.”
The rush of adrenaline waned, but I didn’t wait for Gramps’ permission.
Right now, the most important thing was my mate.
Chapter Four
I raced back to my grandfather’s office and burst through the door. Honor froze, his muscles bunching as he crouched on the rug where he’d been pacing.
‘I passed,’ I told him, slamming the door shut behind me. I strode toward the black wolf, my throat constricting with a flood of emotions. Kneeling, I gave my friend an affectionate hug, resting my head against his.
He nuzzled me. ‘Well done.’
I rose, trying to blink away the tears. ‘We need to get back before…’
This time, the words stuck as a wave of guilt crashed over me, clogging my throat. I turned away from my friend, wondering how I could ever make this right? What would I say to Rage? How—?
‘Rage turns the entire Island upside down looking for you?’ Honor finished.
I nodded, barely hearing his words as I stared at the inside of the office door. Deep gouge marks marred the once smooth surface, and my jaw dropped.
‘You were in danger today. I felt it,’ Honor said, letting his tongue loll in a wolfish grin. ‘I tried to get out so I could help you.’
‘You’re the best,’ I said, nearly overcome with emotion again. ‘Now, let’s get out of here.’
We raced down the hallway toward the library, my mind still spinning.
What time was it?
Fatigue pulled at my limbs, but I gave it no heed; I needed to get to Rage.
My poor mate. How had nearly two days passed since I’d walked out of his coronation?
Now … the high mages wanted me dead, but since that didn’t happen, they’d settle for ruining my mate bond to Rage. I wouldn’t let that happen. I needed to seal it. Now.
Honor and I started toward the entrance to the library, both of us pivoting when we heard someone approaching from behind.
“School starts in the morning; you’re already behind,” Reyna commented as she slowed her pace.
I didn’t want to take the time to explain, but at least, here it was safe from prying eyes.
“I can’t start anything without telling him what’s going on. I’ll be back by morning, I promise.” Blinking through tears, I held up my left hand. “I won’t stay away from him any longer. He deserves to know what’s happening, and—” My voice cracked, and I forced a swallow. “I need to make things right—if I can.”