by T. J. Klune
I grinned at him. “Funny, then, how this all turned out.”
“Oh, it is. And soon you will see exactly why.”
Well, that was ominous. There wasn’t a very good chance he meant funny ha-ha like I did. “Well, you monologued, I told you I read your diary, and now we are totally on the same page, so maybe we should—”
“I believe you.”
I arched an eyebrow at him. “Come again?”
He stared intently at me. “I believe you. That you’ve forsaken the people of Verania. That you’ve embraced the darkness. I can see it in your eyes. I can feel your fury. Some of it is still directed at me, but it’s… more than that now. It’s not like it was in Mashallaha. Or even in that house with Morgan. Your time away changed you in ways Randall and Morgan could not.”
“Good,” I said, relieved. “I’m so glad you believe me. Now, let’s go do Dark wizard things, just you and me. I don’t want there to be anyone… overhearing us, if you know what I mean.” I glanced pointedly at Ruv, who scowled at me.
“Of course,” Myrin said. “There’s just one more thing.”
Uh-oh. “Oh. Well. If you insist.”
“I’m afraid that I must.”
“You’re the boss, so. Whatever’s clever.”
“There’s still the matter of your cornerstone.”
“What about him?”
“You’re tied to him, Sam. As long as he draws breath, you cannot move forward. The bond must be broken. The prophecy must be fulfilled.”
“Oh yeah. That. Dude, I totally get what you’re saying. And if it makes you feel any better about this whole situation, I’ve already told him that we’re breaking up because he really doesn’t do it for me anymore. You know what they say—once you go dragon, all the rest is laggin’.”
Kevin snorted. “I knew it! I mean, whatever you say, Master.” Then, out the side of his mouth, “But I knew it.”
Myrin squinted at me. “You went… dragon?”
I shrugged. “Eh. Something had to happen. I mean, I was in the woods for a long time, you know?”
I’d never seen so many people look disgusted in my direction all at once. It was really remarkable.
“Be that as it may,” Myrin said slowly, “I don’t think we need any more… details on your extracurricular activities.”
“I respect that. So, we were on our way to being by ourselves so we could—”
“Your cornerstone, Sam.”
“Right,” I said hastily. “That. No worries. Like I said, I already betrayed him, so I’m pretty sure that bond is on its way to breaking. I mean, oh no! Everything hurts because he’s my cornerstone and it sucks and I’m feeling a little crazy and stuff.”
Myrin looked amused again. I was quickly discovering I didn’t like that expression on him. “Yes, I’m sure. I can see you splitting right down the middle. However, it’s not enough. Think of it as a test to prove your loyalty to me.”
The hairs on the back of my neck stood up. “My loyalty?”
“Yes, Sam. Your loyalty. You come here spouting these pretty things about forsaking your people and expressing a desire to join me, even though I gave you that chance once already back in Mashallaha, which you firmly rejected.”
“Right?” I said. “Sorry about that. I guess it was… shocking, wasn’t it?”
Gary snorted while still pretending to be knocked out. It was quite the feat.
“It was,” he said. “Which is why I won’t make that mistake again. Regarding Ryan Foxheart—”
“He means nothing to me.”
“No? Then your task will be a simple one.”
Shit.
Myrin the Bright Star smiled a terrible smile and said, “You must kill your cornerstone.”
There was a beat of silence, and then Tiggy and Gary exploded, struggling in Kevin’s grip. “No!” Gary bellowed. “Who the fuck do you think you are? You listen to me, you little bitch. I am going to gut you. Kevin! Set me down! It’s time to end this, Unicorn Style!”
“Sam!” Tiggy cried. “No, Sam. Bad, it’s bad!”
Kevin didn’t let them go, even when Gary’s horn began shooting rainbows and glitter. It bounced off the dragon’s chest, his blood keeping Gary’s magic from harming him.
Ryan stared down at me, jaw clenched.
I looked away.
“You speak pretty words I wish to hear,” Myrin said gently. “And they show me just how much we have in common. You’ve read my Grimoire. You know the lengths to which I’d go to make my vision of a glorious future come true. What I’ve given up. How those close to me chose to lock me away as the shadows tore down my mind and rebuilt me from the ground up. I won’t make you go through that, Sam. You are powerful, yes. I have great respect for you. But even one such as you must do what is necessary in order to realize your full potential.”
“Kevin,” I said through gritted teeth, “set Ryan down.”
“Kevin! You do that and I will never forgive you!” Gary snarled. “Sam, what the fuck is wrong with you? You can’t be seriously considering this?”
“Is Sam a Bad Sam now?” Tiggy asked tearfully.
“No,” Gary retorted. “This is just a game, right? A trick. He’s fooling. He won’t—Kevin, why the hell are you doing this?”
“Because Sam told me to,” Kevin growled. “And I must obey.”
“But we were—he doesn’t control—Ryan! Run! Run, godsdamn you!”
But Ryan stood there, just out of reach. His eyes were narrowed and his jaw tensed, but he stood tall and proud, left hand in a fist at his side, his sword in his right. His armor shone brightly in the sun. I’d never seen him look more handsome. Even as the Dark wizards began to yell insults, jeering wildly, he never looked away from me.
“So, this is it,” he said.
“Yes,” I said. “I suppose it is.”
“I always knew you’d be the death of me.”
I smiled faintly. “What can I say? The gods wished it so. I’m—”
“Enough,” Myrin said. “No more discussion. Sam. Do it now, or I shall do it for you. Either way, Knight Commander Ryan Foxheart will die.”
I nodded tightly.
Ryan never looked away.
I worry.
About what?
The prophecy. About what I saw. What I showed you.
We don’t know how much of that was real. How much was you or the gods or Ruv playing all of us.
This is true. But Sam, I don’t know that it matters. You saw him as clear as day. Ryan, your cornerstone, the life taken from him, his body cold. He escaped death once, but I fear that won’t happen again. I know you think my magic false, that I am nothing but a street magician, but I promise you, that isn’t the case. I worry it may come to pass. That Ryan Foxheart will meet his end in order for the prophecy to be fulfilled.
Vadoma had been right.
It would come to pass.
But not in the way she, nor the gods, expected.
A hero must suffer before the end. That was how the stories always went, wasn’t it?
“Do it,” Ryan growled.
And I had suffered.
“Sam, do it. Do it, godsdamn you! If this is who you are, then fucking do it!”
“Don’t curse like that,” I said mildly. “You need to think of the children.”
The green and gold came swiftly. They always had.
There was a sharp crack and Ryan stumbled forward, hands going to his throat. He fell to his knees. His mouth opened and closed. Opened and closed. He let out a harsh breath. One hand went to the ground as he slumped over. His armor clanked as it touched the ground. His face was red, eyes bulging.
And then he fell forward, facedown on the ground.
His left leg kicked once. Twice.
I felt the moment he died. I felt like I had been torn in two. My magic burst from me wildly, and I struggled to control it, my mind shrieking. Everything was overbright and loud, blood rushing in my ears. I could hear Gary screaming a
nd Tiggy bellowing.
I gasped as I bent over, gagging, a thin string of bile dripping from my open mouth.
A hand dropped onto my shoulder, the fingers digging into my skin.
Myrin.
“Impressive,” he whispered near my ear. “I must admit, I didn’t think you’d do it. I thought you’d… well. It doesn’t matter now. Tell me, Sam. What did you do to him?”
“Stopped his heart,” I managed to spit out above all the noise in my head. I felt as if I’d been dropped into some great storm with no end in sight.
“Truly?”
“Yes.”
“Fascinating. Ruv. If you don’t mind.”
Ruv rushed past us to kneel down next to Ryan. He looked shocked and pale as he reached down and turned Ryan onto his back. Armor scraped against the ground. He put a hand on Ryan’s throat. Then, “I—he’s dead.”
Myrin laughed. “Oh, Sam. If only Morgan could see you now and everything you’ve become. If it’s any consolation, I’m sure he’ll welcome Ryan with open arms when he crosses the veil. They can mourn what has become of you together.”
Tiggy was crying.
Gary looked devastated.
Kevin didn’t say a word.
Dimitri’s wings buzzed angrily.
I wanted nothing more than to curl up on the ground and never rise again. It felt like I was shattering.
“Yes,” Myrin said. He ran his fingers along the slope of my spine. “I know. I know. I understand, perhaps better than anyone, Sam. The way it burns. The way it feels like little pieces of you are breaking off. If you are strong enough, it will pass. I… underestimated you. Again. I didn’t know what you were capable of. Now I do. And I am pleased.”
I gasped as a tremor rolled through me.
“I’m not cruel,” Myrin said quietly. “I will allow you to say goodbye to your knight. Crawl, Sam. Crawl to him.”
And I did.
My hands were dusty.
My vision was blurred.
My head was pounding.
But I crawled.
Ruv watched me with wide eyes from next to Ryan’s body. He stumbled back, falling to the ground, propped up by his elbows.
Knight Commander Ryan Foxheart looked at peace in death. His eyes were closed, face slack, mouth slightly open. His chest did not rise. His sword lay discarded at his side. I picked it up, the metal dragging along the stone. It was heavier than I expected. Or I was weaker. I didn’t know.
I placed it upon his chest, the blade pointed down toward his legs. I took each of his hands and brought them to his chest, arranged his fingers on the hilt of his sword.
There.
He was as Vadoma had shown me.
As the gods had shown her.
Everything had come to pass.
And I said, “Once upon a time, there was a boy.”
Everyone around me fell silent.
“Say that again, Sam,” Myrin said. “I don’t think I quite heard you.”
I forced myself to look up at him, even though every part of me ached. I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. “Once upon a time, there was a boy.”
Myrin blinked. “A boy.”
I could barely breathe. I had to force the words out. “He was a kickass boy born in the slums of the City of Lockes.”
The Dark wizards started to murmur.
My heart felt like it was crawling with lightning. “His parents were hardworking, and at times life could be difficult, but they were alive and had all their teeth. Which was very important.”
Caleb frowned.
Ruv’s face was pale as he slowly rose to his feet.
Myrin watched me with an unreadable expression.
“One day, this boy went into the woods,” I said through gritted teeth. “His heart was hurting, and he was sad.”
Myrin took a step back. “What are you—”
“And on this day, in these woods, the boy found a bird.”
“Oh fuck,” Gary whispered.
“A bird,” Myrin repeated.
“Yes. A bird. It was dead. And the boy with the broken heart did something he didn’t think was possible. He brought the bird back to life.”
Silence.
Then, “You lie.”
Sweat dripped down my brow. “No. I don’t.”
“It’s not possible,” Myrin snarled. “Death is final. No one can—”
A sharp crack blasted overhead.
Everyone looked skyward.
Everyone, that is, except for Myrin and me. We didn’t look away from each other.
“That,” I said, “was a signal. From Randall. To show that the slums have been evacuated. Because while we stood here, while you went on and on and on, the people of Camp HaveHeart breached the City. They saved those you imprisoned. You were all so arrogant to think nothing could happen to you with me here.”
Myrin took a step toward me.
I laughed. It sounded like I was choking. “And while we take back our home, three of the dragons of Verania are in Meridian City at this very moment, laying waste to everything you’ve brought upon us.”
“You killed your cornerstone,” Myrin said coldly. “There is no coming back from that.” His expression stuttered. “Three. You said three dragons. There are five in total. Where is the—”
A loud roar split the air around us.
It didn’t come from Kevin.
“What is this?” Myrin demanded.
“You don’t know what I’m capable of,” I told him. “Because there’s one thing you’ve forgotten again and again and again.”
“And what would that be?”
I grinned rakishly at him. “I’m Sam of Dragons.”
Zero Ravyn Moonfire roared again as he landed on top of Castle Lockes, his muscular body curling around a turret, tail twitching dangerously. His eyes were blazing red.
Now? he growled in my head.
Now.
The hood around his face flared, the bony tips rattling as they shook. The Darks barely had time to react before the stone shattered beneath their feet as thick, dark roots burst up around them like tentacles, wrapping around legs and torsos, holding them in place. A few of them had a chance to scream before the roots covered them completely, cutting them off.
It was over in a matter of seconds. Where there had once stood the Darks of Verania, there was only a great prison of vermilion root, binding their magic in place.
But three remained untouched.
Caleb.
Ruv.
And Myrin.
Because there was a price to pay for what they’d done.
For what they’d taken from me.
There was a boy born in the slums.
The gods whispered about him.
They said he had a destiny.
That one day he would face a great evil and all the world would hang in the balance.
This boy was loved.
And he loved in return. With everything he had.
And he remembered how it felt.
The magic that arced within him like lightning.
He thought, It isn’t fair.
It isn’t fair.
It isn’t fair.
And it wasn’t. Because the gods had taken his choice away from him.
So I did the only thing I could.
I took it back.
I raised my arm, palm skyward, even as I thought, No, no, no, this isn’t the way, this isn’t the way.
The corona that spun in my hand was brighter than anything I’d ever seen, like I held a star. The magic rushed through me and the corona began to cascade downward like a waterfall, the drops of light spreading along the ground, pulsating slowly.
They had taken from me. I would wipe them all out. Kill every single one of them and bring back my love while leaving nothing but ash in my wake.
The bird had come back.
Ryan would too.
They would die.
They would all die and—
If I could
have you remember one thing, it would be this: a wizard isn’t as strong as the magic he uses. It’s the magic he doesn’t use that’s a measure of true strength.
The star in my hand faded. I lowered my hand.
Myrin laughed. “You can’t even—”
I said, “Kevin. Fly.”
The dragon spread his wings as he reached out and snagged Dimitri.
I heard my best friends shout for me, but they faded away as Kevin rose into the sky.
I looked back at Myrin.
I felt his magic gathering, that fierce yellow infection mixed with homehomehome that never belonged to him.
He snarled, “You cannot defeat me.”
I rolled my eyes. “Dude, you’re such a godsdamn cliché. Fuck off and die.”
Lightning burst from my heart as I exploded.
Big big.
“ARE YOU sure about this?” Randall asked me.
“Yeah,” I said. “Sort of.”
“That doesn’t sound convincing.”
“Well, it’s a pretty fucking far-out-there idea.”
“That might be an understatement. You’re sweating.”
“Uh, yeah. You would be too if you were about to tell your sexy boyfriend you need to kill him in order to save Verania from a supervillain.”
Justin groaned. “How is this our lives?”
The King patted him on the arm. “I ask myself that all the time. Isn’t it wonderful?”
Randall didn’t look convinced. “We don’t—”
“Look,” I said. “I can’t… I don’t want to kill them all. That’s not who I am. But something has to be done. And you have to let me be the one to tell him. This is a sensitive subject, and—”
The flap to Justin’s command tent opened. Ryan entered, frowning. He looked from Randall, to Justin, to the King, before finally settling his gaze on me. “I got your message. What’s going on?”
“Hi,” I said. “I need to murder you to save the world.” I winced. “Shit.”
Randall put his face in his hand.
The King shook his head.
Justin sighed.
Ryan said, “What.”
“Sensitive subject,” Randall hissed at me.
“Okay, listen,” I said to Ryan. “You know the whole me being weird and bringing the bird back to life thing? So, like, I want to kill you and then bring you back to life, but not really doing the bird thing, because we don’t know what that’d do to you. And stuff.”