Chapter 10 · Augustus Takes Her

"Let her die and take the crown."

The voice cut straight through the black fire still eating Veyr's chest.

Cane didn't look up. His hand was locked around Selena's wrist, her pulse hammering way too fast and way too thin under his thumb.

Veyr was face-down on the cracked altar, a smoking hole where his heart used to be. He wasn't breathing anymore.

"You heard me, Cane," the voice said again, closer now. Light tore the broken temple roof wide open. "Pick one. The Core or the girl. You don't get both."

Cane finally looked up.

Augustus stepped out of the light like he owned it. White-gold armor, not a speck of ash on it. Hair like spun light, eyes that didn't blink. He wasn't walking. He was descending, boots not quite touching the shattered stone.

"Took you long enough," Cane said. His voice was raw. "Come to clean up Veyr's mess?"

"I came to offer you a deal," Augustus said. He smiled, and it didn't reach his eyes. "You want to be Sovereign? Then be one. That thing in your hand is half-hatched. Crush it properly and you get everything.