Ayla had known she was too weak to use her magic. Everything that Galian did to her and the little food she was given daily had taken a toll on her body, but she did it anyway because she couldn’t let Galian kill those she cared about. It was enough that he killed her mother and grandmother. While Ayla was still in the Black Tower, she had promised herself she would use her magic to protect innocents from Galian. She had felt a dark presence inside him and spent a lot of time thinking about what Beliar offered Galian in exchange for his soul. There was so much the Dark God could give someone—power, magic, money, a long life. What could a man like Galian, who had money and power, want? Magic? Long life? Or something else entirely? After healing Godefray, Ayla closed her eyes for a moment. When she opened them, she was in Sarya’s room. It was not the first time Sarya summoned Ayla’s presence with the help of the Crystal Mirror. Sarya had told Ayla that the crystal used to make the mirr

‘Rhobart had been a God in another world,’ Ayla thought. “Your world, what was it like?” she asked. Rhobart said it was a violent world, but even chaos could be beautiful. “Do you miss it?”There had been many scholars, mages, and astronomers who claimed the possibility of other universes. Books had been written about parallel worlds and how one could travel between universes with the help of powerful spells or magical objects. Ayla had read some of those books, but she never thought much about other worlds. Not until Rhobart. Could more Gods come to her world? And if that happened, would her world be in danger?Outside the cabin, some of the Paladins were talking and laughing.Rhobart frowned. “I remember only bits and pieces. Many wars and death everywhere.” He kissed her. “When I gave up on my immortal body to be with you, Ayla, I did it because I love you. I don’t regret it, not one bit. My existence as a God—I remember everyone fearing me. I was lonely until you. If this mortal l

Around a year had passed since Ayla last saw Drax. Ever since Drax became Saturas’ apprentice and came to live at the Royal Palace, he and Ayla have been friends. Even if Drax had not been the only child living in the Palace, he was the only one allowed to talk with Ayla. When Saturas sent Drax to the Water Monastery to have the Water Test, Ayla had never felt more alone. Drax closed the door and laughed bitterly. “Each time I see you, you either get into trouble or need healing.” He sighed. “You look terrible.” Ayla’s lips curved up. “I haven’t seen you in almost a year, and this is the first thing you say to me? That I look terrible?” Drax went to her, sat on the bed, and pulled Ayla in for a hug. Kerra hissed at him before moving to sit on Ayla’s lap. “I was having my last test when word came that King Rhobart claimed he would destroy all Myrthana and kill all the Water Mages unless you went with him to be his personal slave,” Drax said and looked into her eyes. “I feared the wo

Ayla inhaled sharply. She thought of Nixx, and how Scar used to control him because of a blood oath. When Nixx disobeyed Scar’s orders, he died. What if she asked Godefray to do something, and he would not listen? “No, Godefray! I can’t accept your oath!” Even if a lot of time had passed, Nixx’s death still hurt.Godefray looked as if someone had slapped him. His throat quivered. “I promised you I would always be your Paladin!” His sword trembled in his hand. ‘Let me pay you back for everything I did to you!’ his eyes begged her.‘They forced you to do it! You don’t owe me anything!’‘And before Eluvene and Galian?’ Godefray asked. ‘Let me be your Paladin!’ he said when Ayla hesitated to reply.“You are my Paladin, and I don’t need a blood oath from you!” Ayla protested. She hoped he understood. “You are more than a Paladin to me, Godefray. You are my friend.” Ayla looked at the other Paladins. She knew some more personally because she had spent a long time with them, traveling. “You

Milton knew King Galian would not give up on looking for Ayla. But how did he find them so fast? Drax and Milton had cast spells to keep the grove hidden. Milton made sure the Dark Mage didn’t add mana to the wards he set. He even slept with an eye open, guarding the Dark Mage, but she slept next to Godefray all night long. Even the twins kept an eye on her.How did King Galian know their exact location?Milton turned his head and looked at Eluvene, but she was looking at the wyvern. She didn’t seem fazed by it.Milton clenched his teeth. The Dark Mage could not be trusted. How could Ayla be friends with someone that served Beliar?Godefray had a hand around Eluvene’s waist, his green eyes looking at Ayla, and it seemed they were silently communicating. Milton had been shocked when Hudde and Eude revealed that Ayla and Godefray were x’makide. The dark brown wyvern snapped at the trees as if he wanted to rip them apart to get to them. To Ayla. Galian was on top of the wyvern, directi