Page 147 of This Vicious Dream

When he looks up, his eyes are lifeless. Dark smoke pours from him once more, wrapping around Anarthys’s neck.

Slowly, gently, he lays my body on the ground. “You dare take from me?”

Anarthys chokes, and he releases his smoke long enough for her to answer.

“You stole my future from me.” Her words are a low taunt. “So I took yours from you. You didn’t think I’d allow you to live in happiness, did you, lover?”

The temple begins to collapse. Columns near the altar crash to the ground, and fear flashes across her face.

This woman I worshipped has ended my life. She took any hint of happiness I might have found andruinedit.

Cold rage floods me. Oh, Iwillreturn. And I will make her pay.

Calpharos steps closer to her with a vicious, predatory smile.

Her eyes widen. “Your siblings are coming for you,” she gasps out. “I’m warning you so you can fight.”

Guards rush through the temple doors, and it’s Eamonn who stalks toward them, his face gray. Eamonn who calls a sword to his hand and cuts the guards down himself. With a last glance at Calpharos, he steps out of the temple to face any who think to interfere.

“You didn’t think I’d allow you toliveafter taking her from me, didyoulover?” Calpharos’s laugh is cold, and I want to stay. Want to watch as he makes her hurt the way I hurt.

But I’m already being pulled in another direction, towards a place of warmth and light.

I lean over and empty my stomach. Fliora lets out a gasp, and I feel cool fingers pulling strands of my hair away from my face.

“Madinia? What is it?”

Eamonn sighs. “She likely just relived her murder. Give her a moment to come to terms with it.”

I retch again, and Fliora rubs my back, but her attention is still on Eamonn.

When I lift my head, he’s sitting in front of me, his round eyes solemn.

“I don’t understand.” My voice is hoarse, and I sit, the world spinning around me as I manage to focus on Fliora. “Your aunt is the one who told Anarthys I had been with Calpharos. But in…this life…she also told me to find the grimoires before Calpharos could. She made it sound like I would be protecting the world. She insisted I find them and keep them safe.”

“I don’t know what you saw,” Fliora says apologetically. “My aunt was in your memories?”

“She was one of the goddess’s acolytes. She betrayed me.”

Eamonn places one paw on my thigh. “Of course they would want you to take the grimoire. If you get to the grimoire first, someone can still take it from you. If Calysian gets to it first, they can’t.”

“Because once Calpharos takes the grimoires, they disappear.”

“Yes. They meld back into his soul.”

“Fliora,” I get out. “Can you give us a moment?”

She nods, getting to her feet and passing me a water skin. When she wanders toward the stable, I feel Eamonn keeping one eye on her.

“You tried to save me,” I murmur.

He lowers his head. “I failed. I failed you, and I failed Calpharos. I was too late.”

“I’m…reincarnated.”

“Yes. Anarthys was unable to take that gift back. I have no doubt she would have stolen it from you if it was possible.”

“Have I…had other lives?”

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