Blood for Magic

Twenty-year-old Tarquin is smart, tactless, and braver than he knows. He's also been Mage of the Realm of Kelor for two years, taking the title from his mother after she died protecting Kelor from a terrible threat. Mages, unlike all other magicians, give their blood in exchange for far more powerful magic. Unfortunately for the Mage of the Realm, there's always the chance one day Kelor will need magic of such potency that a mage will have to give not just their blood, but their life. Tarquin's mother already made this sacrifice, and Tarquin knows it's likely also his fate. While on a quest to heal his brother, who is dying because of Tarquin's reckless mistake, Tarquin is attacked by a horrific, flesh-eating monster. He's saved by an enigmatic and mute young soldier, called "Five", who is cursed with a terrifying appearance that conceals the heart of a knight. There's an almost instant attraction between the two men, but no time to explore it. The monster's attack is the harbinger of a new invasion. With Kelor helpless, the realm's only hope lies with Tarquin. Just as he feared, his sole choice is to sacrifice himself the way his mother did, in exchange for magic strong enough to destroy the coming evil. He's prepared to give up his life to save the realm, but before the battle is over, he'll be faced not just with his own death, but the death of everyone he cares about. Including the cursed soldier he's come to love.

Aundrea Singer · LGBT+

Not enough ratings

97 Chs

Chapter 40

He came another step closer. Tarquin could hear the whirrof Faladir’s hands coiling into fists.

Tarquin finished sliding the knife free, then flipped his left sleeve back and put the point to his arm. Fear slid like ice into his chest. His brother would never hurt him, but this thing wasn’t his brother, and he had no idea what it would do.

“Faladir!” he shouted. “Wake up!”

Faladir blinked, his metal eyelid clicking, and all at once he was there again, staring in confusion.

“Quinny?” He looked around at the chapel walls, then back at his brother. His throat chimed when he swallowed. “I don’t know what I’m doing here.”

“Well, you came to speak to the gods, obviously,” Tarquin said, forcing the words out through a relief that made his breath quake. He slid the mage knife back between the statue’s hands, then smiled at Faladir. “Come sit with me. Maybe together we can find enlightenment.”

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