Page 20 of A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash

He pressed the tip of his hook sword to her throat. ‘This isn’t the way we fight, Mal. You cannot marry the Fire Prick. You've heard the rumours of his cruelty. You belong here, with your family. If you are there…’ His voice cracked, his grip tightening. ‘How will I protect you?’

Mal softened, reaching up to brush a finger across his cheek—a gesture from their childhood, when words had not been enough. He closed his eyes, leaning into the touch.

‘I can protect myself, Kai. I know it sounds mad, but… this isthe path. The prophecy says—’

He flinched away as if burnt, his face twisting in disbelief.

‘You are doing this because of some ridiculous prophecy?’ His voice was sharp, edged with something like desperation. ‘Prophecies are lies, Mal. Nothing more than the fantasies of charlatans who prey on the desperate! There is no chosen one, no curse. There are only kings and queens who play their games, and we are the pieces they move.’

‘Kai, I’ve dreamt—’

‘Did the Seer make you drink her tea? Did she fill your head with this nonsense?’

Frustration burnt through Mal. She shoved past him. ‘The Seer did nothing. The prophecy states that the one risen from the ashes shall unite us all. I have seen it, Kai. I know what must be done.’

‘And what must be done, sister?’

Mal hesitated. The words tasted of iron. ‘I must marry the prince and then…’

‘And then what?’

She met his gaze. ‘And then I must kill him.’

For the first time, Kai faltered. ‘You truly believe killing the Fire Prick will unite the kingdoms?’ He let out a bitter laugh. ‘Breaking a marriage oath started the war, Mal. Do you think King Egan will kneel in gratitude when you slaughter his son?’

‘I don’t know…’ she admitted. ‘But the dreams—’

Kai seized her shoulders, shaking her. ‘Mal, listen to yourself. None of this makes sense!’

‘My eyes—’

‘Your eyes are just eyes, Mal!’

His words cut deep. ‘I am fourthborn, Kai!’ she roared. ‘With purple eyes! There has never been such a thing before!’

The ground trembled. A pulse of energy exploded from her, an invisibleforce slamming into Kai. He flew back, crashing into the stone wall. Dust and debris fell around him.

Mal’s breath caught.

She had spent years suppressing it, pushing it down, pretending she did not feel the surge of power curling in her veins. She had fought to be normal, to be like them.

But now Kai had seen.

He stood slowly, his expression unreadable. He scanned the empty balconies above them, ensuring no one had witnessed what she had done. Then he exhaled, voice eerily steady.

‘No one saw.’

Mal swallowed. ‘Why are you so calm?’

‘Trust me, Mal, I amnotcalm.’ He grabbed her wrist and pulled her away from the training yard, guiding her through the castle’s shadowed corridors. His shoulders were stiff, his pace quick, his silence deafening. ‘How long have you known?’

‘I think I’ve always known,’ she admitted.

He sighed, rubbing a hand down his face. ‘Yes… perhaps we all have.’ His voice dropped to a whisper. ‘I have always felt how very dangerous you are.’

Mal froze.

The words cut her deeper than steel ever could. Dangerous. A word meant for monsters, not sisters.

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