sacrifice

“What do you mean, ‘you know’,” Kieran demanded.

“We’ve known for a long time but figured you didn’t want to talk about it,” Rivian said. “You two remind us a lot of our mom and dad. Took them a while to stop being shy, too.”

“They are both true Paragon nobles born to Paragon Houses. I was born to…” Kieran hung his head. “I’m not worthy of her. Could never be worthy of her.”

“Let her decide that,” Cian said.

“You can’t trust me with Helena, anyway,” Kieran told her two twin brothers.

“Of course we can. You are a powerful dark mage and would never let anyone hurt her,” Rivian said.

“That is not what I meant.” Kieran drew a breath. No secrets was a difficult mantra to live with, but he would never fall to Uzakiel again. “I’ve been in love with her since the first time she healed me. Maybe since the first time I saw her.”

Cian smiled. “We know.”

“But you’re a Paragon noble!” Rivian said. “You have to at least try to give the next generation your magic. If you don’t, the runes could fall.”

“The dark runes have both of you, Lucina, and Tiernan,” Kieran said.

“And you,” Rivian reminded him. “While the dark runes have more caretakers than they have had in generations, there are still far too few of us,” Cian said. “A handful of heartbeats for Uzakiel to silence.”

“I am too much like my father and his father before him,” Kieran said. “I am attending only because it is expected. But I will never marry.”

“If you were like your father, our father wouldn’t have taught you magic,” Rivian said.

“And if you don’t marry and have a family, you have no chance of passing on your bloodline,” Cian said.

Kieran smiled. “Exactly.”

“If you aren’t going with anyone else, maybe you can take Helena,” Rivian said.

“I am certain Helena has a dozen suitors that would be happy to accompany her,” Kieran said.

“But not a dozen we can trust,” Rivian said.

Cian narrowed his eyes at Kieran. “No secrets, remember?”

“Who are you going to ask to the ball?” Rivian asked Kieran.

“No one,” Kieran said.

“Aren’t you attending?” Cian asked.

“I am.” But there was no need to ask anyone. Kieran would never marry. The evil of the Pearsons line would end with him.