The four took a moment to compose themselves before heading to the fight above ground. Bart looked back, his eyes already plagued by doubt. Eldwin put his arm around his nephew and led him back the way we’d come.
I turned toward my father, ready to say goodbye, but he shook his head.
“No!” Father’s voice cut through the heavy silence as the others prepared to leave. “I’m not leaving.”
Father’s royal demeanor had fallen away, leaving only a father desperate to save his child. My throat tightened at theway his jaw clenched in stubborn love. He’d always been my champion, even when it put him at odds with Grandfather.
“Father—” He cut me off with a sharp wave of his hand.
“I won’t leave you, Cinaed.” His eyes burned with fierce determination. “If someone must die today, let it be me.”
The offer shocked the others, but not me. This wasn’t the crown prince offering himself in my place. This was the father who loved his children more than his life. My heart swelled with love even as I shook my head in refusal.
“That’s not possible,” Rod said the words I couldn’t speak. “The spell requires?—”
“I don’t care what the spell requires!” Father’s voice rose with desperation. “I’m older and more powerful. Use my energy so my son can live.”
The pain in his voice tore at my heart. I reached for him, clasping his hands in mine. They were warm, nearly as hot as my own. Father’s phoenix fire burned as hot as his emotions.
“The spell doesn’t work that way.” I tried to sound grateful for the offer. “But even if it could, your sacrifice wouldn’t save me. I couldn’t live without Rod.”
Father struggled to come up with something else. He’d told me back in the garden he’d die for me, but learning he couldn’t save me wasn’t something he could accept.
“Malachy,” Rod said, placing a hand on my father’s arm. “The energy has to come through our bond. It’s the only path strong enough to channel that much power. I wouldn’t be able to shape the power if it came from you.”
Father’s face fell, and I saw the moment when his hope died. It nearly broke me. I’d spent so many years drawing strength from his unwavering support. Now, when he needed me to be strong, I found myself at a loss.
“There must be a way,” he insisted, his voice breaking. “I won’t lose you like this.”
I looked at Rod, our eyes meeting in silent communication. The time for debate was over. Every moment we delayed, more demons entered our world. We had to act now, regardless of my father’s protests.
“There isn’t.” I took his hands in mine, and his grip was like a vice. “We need to begin. You need to leave.”
“I’m not leaving.” Father pulled himself up to his full height and released my hands. “The energy might kill me, but I’ll regenerate. Your sister, myself, and the guards will stand witness so the world never forgets.”
Rod nodded, his expression solemn. Through our bond, I felt his regret, his love, and beneath it all, a steady determination. He twined his fingers around mine, and together, we stepped toward the center of the chamber.
I closed my eyes, drawing deep on my inner fire. The flames inside me responded eagerly, rising to meet my call. Through our bond, I felt Rod’s diamond pulse with answering power. We’d never practiced this, but I knew what to do as if I’d done it countless times. The Earth was guiding us, making the process simpler than we’d envisioned.
The magic built between us, white mage energy and golden phoenix fire intertwining in beautiful, deadly harmony. I felt myself opening, becoming a vessel for Rod’s spell. The connection was exhilarating and terrifying. Since our birth, the Earth had meant for us to be a pair. Together we could save the world. The Earth chose us first, so we’d have decades as mates. Grandfather’s spell had denied us those years, but our destiny remained. Only we could save the world.
My connection to my inner fire suddenly severed. The energy building between me and Rod flowed back to its original reservoirs. I tried to reengage with my core but something barred me. A solid wall of phoenix fire had taken hold around my essence.
I opened my eyes, and Rod’s stunned expression matched mine. We’d felt this blockage before.
Grandfather. He stood straighter now, some of his inner strength had returned. The glow in his eyes held a clarity he’d lacked for decades.
“I can’t let you sacrifice yourself, Cinaed,” he said in a steady voice that lacked the anger of recent memory. “You’ve suffered enough.”
“Grandfather, no.” I begged. “You’ll destroy everything.”
“No, my little firebird, I won’t let that happen either.” He smiled as he used the nickname he gave me as a teenager. “It shall be me who powers the spell.”
“You can’t,” Father said. “I would give my life to change fate, but I know in my heart I can’t.”
“I know you would, son.” Grandfather’s gaze met my father’s. “But where you can’t trade places with Cinaed, I can.”
My anger flared. After everything he’d put us through, why would he taunt us with something impossible? When he faced me, however, there was no deception or cruelty. The offer was genuine. He believed he could give us our lives back.
