This enemies-to-lovers YA romantasy is the last book in the popular Felserpent Chronicle series, bringing the story full circle with timely themes of sacrifice, war, and love.
Sebastian Sayre and Kyra Valorian, the former Felserpent King and Queen, thought they knew what reuniting the divided realms of Aeles and Nocens would require of them. But fulfilling their promises to stop Tallus and bring peace between those with silver and gold blood will require sacrifices they didn’t expect to make.
Furious over Kyra’s refusal to help him turn Daevals into Astrals, Tallus assumes control of Aeles and announces he’s developed a weapon capable of killing everyone with silver blood. Kyra discovers a way to defeat him, but it will require her to perform a terrible act she isn’t sure she can live with. Sebastian loathes becoming a recognized public figure, and given his dark past, there are those who don’t trust him to hold a position of power, even as he and Kyra race to reunite the realms.
Filled with old friends and new allies, devastating betrayals and surprising revelations, this heart-pounding conclusion to the Felserpent Chronicles ends where it began: in the grey waters of Death. Controlling the past might change the future, but will saving their world cost Sebastian and Kyra the very bond that binds them across time?
CHAPTER 11
KYRA
Making my way out into the open space of the cave, I sat down on the stone floor in a cross-legged position, arranging my shifter cloak around me.
“Bidh mi a’dolh a-steach,” I said, running my fingers over Tawazun and Rheolath on my sana bracelet and feeling more anxious about going into Vaneklus than I had in a very long time. The cavern disappeared, and I found myself standing in the grey river, the wooden dock jutting out to my left, enormous boulders lining the banks and marking the boundaries of Laycus’s domain. Since sharing my blood and establishing a closer relationship with Death, I was better able to discern the moods of the realm, and I appreciated the water lapping a friendly welcome around my knees. Bending down, I trailed a hand through it, hoping my action would be perceived as affectionate since I wasn’t certain how else to show my fondness other than perhaps patting a boulder.
Laycus’s boat emerged from the perpetual fog bank just as I straightened.
“Thank the grey waters of Death you are safe!” exclaimed the Shade Transporter as I dried my hand on my breeches. Once his boat reached me, he stuck the end of his staff into the river, bringing the vessel to a stop as his eyes settled on mine. “Bartholomew has kept me appraised of your whereabouts since Rynstyn,” he explained. “My regards to your consort for such a successful rescue.”
“I’ll be sure to pass that on,” I replied, too distracted by the thoughts swirling in my head to muster the appreciation Laycus’s rare compliment towards Sebastian deserved.
Laycus tilted his head inside his cowl. “I don’t recall seeing you so preoccupied before. Dare I ask what’s on your mind?” “I have two questions for you, and I’m not looking forward to asking either of them.”
There was no point delaying the inevitable, and even though my mouth went dry, I forced myself to speak. “Tallus has to be stopped,” I began. “But ending his life won’t prevent him from returning and attempting to undo whatever good Sebastian and I are able to achieve. The only way I can think of to stop him for good is to end not only his life, but his shade.”
Laycus’s garnet-red eyes flickered. “I told you before, Tallus has always appeared on my shores at his appointed times. I would have consumed him by now, if I could.”
I drew my cloak tighter around myself. “According to The Book of Recovrancy, it’s possible to remove a shade from a body and force them to appear in Vaneklus before their appointed time of death.” I gazed up at Laycus. “The book said it’s happened before, so I’m assuming you know it’s possible. You probably remember the Recovrancer who did it. I’m not asking you to tell me if it was me, but it is at least possible.”
Laycus tapped his skeletal fingers in a rhythmless motion against the front of his black shroud. “It is certainly possible,” he agreed. “What you’re facing must be dire indeed if you were willing to ask that book about such a thing.”
I told him the lies Tallus was spreading, how he was working to take control of Aeles, and how war between Astrals and Daevals was practically inevitable.
Correctly guessing what I was leading up to, Laycus studied me. “Why are you so conflicted over asking me to perform an act I would happily do anyway?” “Because I’m worried it will change our relationship. According to my book, when you consume a shade, you remember everything about their life, forever. And since Tallus has retained his memories from every life he’s ever lived, you’ll be forced to carry all his memories with you. I don’t want that to change how you see me.” Laycus leaned forward. “And if I said I did not wish to carry such a burden for all eternity?”
“Then I would respect your choice, and I’d find another way to stop Tallus,” I replied without hesitation.
Laycus continued to gaze at me, and I hoped my stronger connection with the realm would allow him to know the decision really was up to him. He didn’t seem to have the luxury of many choices in his role. While I could plead, I couldn’t threaten him, nor would I, even if I’d had the leverage to do so.
“Fortunately for us, I have consumed my share of despicable shades,” Laycus finally said. “I am not worried about being influenced by Tallus’s perception of you.”
“Really?” My heart was hammering so loudly, it was a wonder Laycus hadn’t commented on it.
“Really.”
“So . . . that means you’ll do it?” I’d always valued my relationship with Laycus but I hadn’t realized until this very moment just how much I loved the enigmatic figure before me.
“I shall,” he nodded.
“Thank you.” My voice caught as I gently placed a hand on his boat. “I wish I could convey how much I appreciate this, but please know, I’m eternally grateful.” Laycus smiled, although his expression quickly turned curious. “While I have no qualms about consuming a shade, I have to ask: How will it affect you, knowing you aided in ending the existence of someone, even someone who deserved it?” I shivered despite my efforts to control myself. “I don’t like it, but if that’s my burden to carry, I’ll bear it as best I can. We’re all making sacrifices to unite Astrals and Daevals.”
Laycus rested his hands on the top of his staff. “You are not the same woman you were when I first met you.”
“I’m not,” I agreed, sad at the innocence I’d lost but also proud of the strength I’d discovered. “If I have to live with performing a terrible act for a good reason, I’ll do it.”
Laycus dipped his head. “I shall be ready when you have mastered shade removal. What was the second unpleasant question you wished to ask me?”
“I bound my shade to Schatten’s so that when the time was right to rejoin Aeles and Nocens, we would return and find one another.” I told him about LeBehr locating the Chronicles, bringing us one step closer to successfully rejoining the realms. “Will reuniting the realms mean the end of our shades being connected, or will Sebastian and I still continue to find one another in future life cycles?”
Laycus stared down into the water eddying around his boat. “This is all so unprecedented, I’m not entirely certain. I could make a case either way.”
“Are you saying we’ll just have to wait and see?” If I’d been a Pyromancer, flames would have sprung from my hands. “That’s entirely unacceptable!”
The edges of Laycus’s smile were sharp. “I am not a subject in your kingdom, your Majesty.”
I glanced down at my shifter cloak, unaware I’d been clasping the velvet fabric. The garment was spelled so that when I touched it and thought of a particular color or pattern, it changed to what I was picturing. Right now it appeared to be made of black and grey scales, identical to the cloak the Felserpent had given Schatten to wear as king. I dropped my gaze in apology, although I left my cloak as it was. “Well, if even you aren’t certain, I’ll need to find a way to bind our shades again, just in case,” I said. “Perhaps Batty knows where the Pelagian Scroll is, since it worked so well the first time.”
Laycus shifted his staff from one hand to the other. “I will speak with Suryal about this. Life and returning in different lives are really more her area of expertise than mine.”
“Thank you,” I said, surprised at Laycus’s offer.
“We both know if I don’t reach out to her, you’ll attempt to, so I’m merely saving myself a headache,” he shrugged.
Part of me wondered if Laycus was speaking metaphorically or if he actually had the capacity to experience headaches. I almost asked him but decided against it. He’d already been incredibly helpful, and I didn’t want to push my luck.
I returned to the cavern to find Sebastian packing a bag of clothes from his wardrobe. Rhannu and a large roll of what I assumed were other weapons rested on the dining table, and Sebastian motioned towards the dresser he’d purchased for me.
“I laid out a bag for you,” he said, “if there’s anything you want to bring to Minerva’s. I already packed sheets.”
“Thank you.” My thoughts bounded over one another as I tried to decide where to begin.
Sebastian turned towards me, brushing his hair off his forehead. The gesture was so familiar it made me smile; one of the only things he’d liked about wearing a crown was how it had kept his hair in place. “What did Laycus say about how reuniting the realms will affect our bond?” I told him what I’d learned, and he scowled, clearly unhappy we still didn’t have a firm answer. “Now that I’ve found you, I can’t imagine a life without you,” he said. “I won’t live another life without you.”
I felt the same way, but I was also confident we could deal with that when the time came. Right now, Tallus was a more immediate concern. While I hoped Sebastian would care more
about having a way to destroy our enemy forever than being the one to end his existence, I also knew he yearned to exact vengeance.
“I spoke with Laycus about the possibility of ending Tallus’s life for good.” The words practically exploded from my mouth.
Sebastian’s eyebrows rose, but he nodded for me to continue.
“You could easily kill Tallus,” I said, “but ending someone’s life isn’t the same as ending their shade, the same way destroying a building wouldn’t have been the same as truly ending the experimentation program. I only know a little so far, but apparently it’s possible for a Recovrancer to remove a shade from a body before the shade’s appointed time to die. If I can remove Tallus’s shade and take him into Vaneklus early, Laycus can consume him, ensuring there’s no way he can ever be reborn.”
I sensed a variety of emotions churning through Sebastian, and he reached up to rub the back of his neck, a gesture he often made when thinking. “Is Laycus willing to help?”
“He is.” I shared my fear that having Laycus consume Tallus’s shade would change my relationship with the Shade Transporter. “Fortunately, he assured me he’s consumed plenty of despicable shades over the years and it won’t affect how he sees me. The Book of Recovrancy told me it would share more if Laycus agreed to help. Since he has, I can start learning about shade removal, which I plan to do this afternoon.”
Sebastian crossed his arms over his chest and widened his stance.
“You’re right about me wanting to be the one to end Tallus’s life,” he admitted. “But we can’t risk him being reborn and continuing to sow discord between Astrals and Daevals. I don’t like it, but ensuring he can’t return is more important than getting to be the one who kills him. You gave up going to the Nemoyas’ so we’d have the best chance of getting the Chronicles; it’s
only fair I give up killing Tallus so we have the best chance of stopping him for good. It’s a smart plan.” He stared intently at me. “Are you comfortable with it?” I dragged my hands down my face. “Laycus asked me the same thing. I don’t like the idea of ending anyone’s existence, but if that’s my burden to bear, then so be it. Astrals and Daevals are my responsibility, and I’ll do whatever it takes to keep them safe. That’s what I agreed to when I became the Felserpent Queen. It’s not just about using my gifts to heal individuals anymore. I’m trying to heal two broken realms, and one Astral shouldn’t be allowed to pose so much danger and cause such rampant destruction.”
“It’s not just your responsibility.” Sebastian reached up and rested his hands on my shoulders. “We’re in this together. Just as you would never ask Laycus to do something that made him uncomfortable or might change him, I would never ask you to do something you didn’t want to live with. We can always find another way.”
“Thank you,” I said, stepping forward and wrapping my arms around him. “There probably is another way, but we don’t have time to find it, which makes this the best course of action available. I don’t want to live with it, but I can. That’s what leaders do. They make the best decision at the time and keep moving forward.” Sebastian rested his chin on top of my head. Part of me wanted to ask him what it was like to end a life, even though I knew it was different from ending a shade, but I couldn’t bring myself to form the question.
“I remember you told me before sometimes there isn’t an easier or better option,” I said instead. “You act, and you get through it. That’s what I’m going to do.”
He hugged me tighter. “And that’s why you’re the Felserpent Queen. I would do it for you, if I could.”
I pressed a kiss to his lips, wishing I could let him handle Tallus before pushing such futile thoughts away and strengthening my resolve to perform the act the realms needed from me.
“Nerudian’s here,” Sebastian said when we pulled apart. “I told him we’d stop in before we left.”
Making our way down the moonstone-embedded tunnel, I smiled as Nerudian lifted his head from the chasm housing his treasure cache.
“Thank the ancients you’re safe!” the dragon called as his yellow eyes landed on me. “With the realms divided, I couldn’t fly to Aeles and help rescue you, but I told Batty I would come through a portal the instant I was needed.” He shook his head, smoke curling out of his broad nostrils. “I would have taken immense pleasure in destroying that facility—although from what I heard, you did perfectly fine on your own, Sebastian.”
I walked forward and stroked the black scales on the side of the dragon’s face, appreciating his love and support. Something stirred behind me, and I turned to see Aurelius trotting over as Batty materialized on a nearby rock, a wide grin on his furry face.
“We have returned with news!” the bat crowed happily. “Mischief helped us find a book that directed us to a potion; when poured over the hairs I took from Tallus, it revealed his secret. He cast the Memoria Aeterna spell on himself, and that is how he has kept his memories intact.” “I’m so impressed you figured that out!” From the corner of my eye, I could see Aurelius watching me closely. I wasn’t certain if he’d been following along with my thoughts as I’d spoken with Sebastian, given that I hadn’t confined the conversation to our bracelets, but he might also have been too busy with Batty and Mischief to pay attention. “If we can find a way to break the spell soon, we’ll do it. But, if not”—I winced even as I forced myself to meet Aurelius’s gaze, knowing he wasn’t going to like my next words—“I have another way we can stop Tallus.”
I shared my plan, and while Aurelius gave his head a rough shake, I appreciated that he refrained from outright disagreeing with me.
Nerudian lashed his tail against his sea of sparkling treasures. “I’m more than happy to gobble Tallus up if you need him out of commission for a while. I realize it won’t stop him for good, but it would certainly be enjoyable.” He swung his gaze between Sebastian and me. “If I can be of assistance in stopping him, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
“I think we’ll start by trying to get near Tallus undetected,” said Sebastian, “but if we need a distraction or assistance on a larger scale, we’ll certainly let you know.”
“I shall be here.” The dragon gave a satisfied nod as he resettled into his canyon.
Aurelius’s whiskers turned down in a decidedly disapproving manner. “Well, then I shall do what I can until it is time to confront Tallus. I will be learning all I can about the Memoria Aeterna spell at LeBehr’s if you need me.” He quickly dematerialized, followed by Batty.
I smiled at the space where Aurelius had been, grateful for his devotion. While part of me suspected we’d already identified the only way to effectively defeat Tallus, I was certainly open to another option. Despite my brave words, I had no idea how I would live with myself after participating in destroying someone’s shade.
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