Darren wasn’t darkness, and I wasn’t his light.

Our history told of kings that smiled and kings that conquered. He was the latter.

You, you are a cockroach. No matter how many times we tried to get rid of you, you kept finding a way to scuttle your way back. And as much as I don’t like you, well, you are persistent. And even I can admire you that.

Perhaps the gods will surprise us and it will be neither.”“A true tragedy.”“Of epic proportions.” “Two longstanding rivals.”“And only one robe to bear.”“Who will win?” Darren’s tone was wry. “The handsome prince?”I grinned. “Or his valiant betrothed?

And they told me to keep watch over a ‘lady.’” I couldn’t help but smirk. A lady. I lunged and defeated her guard. I was a war mage.

Loyalty is never built upon honor, brother. It is built upon blood.

Do you know the difference between a nation of merchants and a nation of warriors?” I followed through without waiting for a reply. “Only one of them is prepared to fall on its blade. King Horrace might promise you the world but in the end you will reap the greater loss.

They are brothers,” Benny repeated softly. “That is a bond you cannot break.

People make mistakes all the time –some of us just are in more of a position to leave an impact when we do.” Impact. Influence. Somehow along the way I had joined the circle of people whose actions dictated change, and it scared me how easy it would be to make the wrong one.