Kingdom of Ash

of coldest ice, that wormed through the cracks
of Morath’s foundation. That ate away at the
ancient stone. Bit by bit, a web of instability
growing with each hall and room he searched.
Until the entire eastern half of the keep was
balanced upon his will alone.
Until now. Until half a thought had his
magic expanding through those cracks,
bearing down upon them.
And so Morath began to crumble.
Smiling at Maeve, Dorian pulled out.
Pulled away, even as he held her mind.
The tower shuddered again. Maeve’s breath
hitched. You can’t leave me like this. He’ll
find me, he’ll take me—
As you would have taken me? Dorian
shifted into a crow, flapping in the air of the
chamber.
Morath groaned again, and above it rose a
screech of rage, so piercing and unearthly that