Page 4 of An Archer's Redemption

How had that handful of magical geniuses devolved into a group of mask-wearing idiots?

And yet, those fanatics had proved their usefulness and succeeded in bringing their goddess back to the world of the living.

I never imagined she would come back withonlyvengeance in her heart. Even when she led the Kingdom’s armies east the first time, her goal was conquest, not death and destruction.

I didn’t recognize the spirit that called herself Irina.

She certainly wasn’tmyIrina.

Was she ever mine?

Did she ever know the depth of my love?

I pressed my palms to my temples and screamed in frustration, then everything tumbled into place in my mind.

Of course she did. Of course she knew.

She’s the most brilliant woman I’ve ever known.

She fed me crumbs—a gentle touch, a warm embrace, a flirtatious glance—all to keep my hope ablaze. She knew I loved her and used it to turn me into her instrument.

And I did everything she wanted.

Anger welled inside me.

How could I have been so stupid? So blind? So willfully ignorant?

I bent and retrieved the crown, then hardened my heart.

Never again. I see you now.Youare the Betrayer.

I brushed the crown’s band and saw that no snow had stuck to its pulsing crimson diamonds. As much as I learned of magic in my many centuries of life, I was still amazed at the mysteries it held. Unsure of what surprises the crown might still hold, I packed it away in my rough-spun sack, slung the pack over my shoulder, and began working my way down the steep slope of the mountain. My Gift of Travel could whisk me away with barely a thought, but I needed to think through what to do next before I Traveled anywhere.

I never dreamed that Irina’s spirit might roam free in the world.

She frightened me in a way no one ever had.

So now what?

I could return to the Kingdom, but what welcome would await?

I had fled the field before the Battle of Saltstone had even begun. While the common soldiers wouldn’t know or care, I was sure Bril or Marks would clap me in irons and charge me with desertion. That assumed they survived, which was unlikely based on the massacre I witnessed.

What about going home?

An odd longing bloomed in my chest.

I could Travel to Fontaine, directly to the Palace if I wished.

If Jess sat on the throne, she would likely dismiss me from her service.

That wouldn’t be so bad, would it?

I could pursue my own studies, or work with the few remaining Mages in the capital’s guild.

But I hadn’t seen or heard from Jess since she fled with those two Melucians. She could be dead, or in hiding, or captive somewhere. It would take her weeks to return to the capital. She probably wasn’t anywhere near the throne.

So, who would be in charge?

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