God Returns, Her Kin Fall

Synopsis

My brother and I trained side by side until we both stood at the threshold of Apotheosis. I chose Ascension—stepping across into divinity. He stayed behind in the mortal world for the woman he loved: Felicity Norwood. Three centuries later, I came down from the celestial realms to find him. The Conclave had fallen into other hands. Everything I remembered was gone. The ivy-covered tower where he'd lived was crumbling, windows dark, gardens choked with weeds. The seat of Archmage, the title he'd bled for, the one he valued above his own life—now belonged to someone else. The soul-forged staff I'd given him, the weapon bound to his essence, was in the process of being claimed by the new Archmage. The apprentices he'd raised like his own children now called that stranger "Master"without hesitation. And my brother had vanished. I tracked down Felicity—now married, settled, soft around the edges—and demanded to know where he was. She wouldn't meet my eyes. Finally, she lifted a trembling hand and pointed to the woman standing at the head of the hall, wearing the Archmage's robes like she'd been born to them. "That's your brother." I stared at the smug, triumphant face that had stolen his place. Divine power flared around me, raw and uncontained. My sword sang as it cleared its sheath, the tip aimed straight at her throat. "One last time," I said, voice low and deadly. "Where is my brother?"