Chapter 3

"No… it wasn't… I…" Felicity stammered. She couldn't string a sentence together.

Then a sharp voice cut through from the back of the crowd. "Stop! Don't you dare hurt my master's wife!"

The newcomer's aura felt strangely familiar.

I paused and looked toward the voice.

The crowd parted, and a young man stepped forward. When he caught sight of me, he froze.

His voice quavered. "D-Dominic?"

I regarded him coolly. "Who are you?"

"It's me. Julian!" he said urgently.

Julian.

The name stirred a memory. He was the orphan apprentice my brother had rescued from a pauper's grave a hundred years ago.

I wasn't in the mood for pleasantries. "Where's your master? What's going on here? Where's my brother? Why has this woman married another man?"

Seeing the murderous intent rolling off me, Julian quickly stepped between me and Felicity.

"Dominic, you've got it all wrong. It isn't her fault," he said urgently. "Please, just lower the sword and let me explain."

I studied him for a long moment. He didn't look like he was lying, so I dismissed the blade.

"Talk," I said.

Julian let out a relieved breath and hurried to explain. "It was Master Gideon himself who asked for the divorce.

"After you ascended, he went down to the mortal world to temper his soul. At first everything was fine, but then… he started falling in love with life down there.

"He met a mortal woman he cared for more than anything. When he came back, he asked Lady Felicity for a divorce so he could be with her, and he also stepped down as Grand Magus.

"Grand Magus Silas was chosen later by the Council of Elders in a proper election.

"Lady Felicity only grew close to Grand Magus Silas after Master left. They ran the Conclave together for two hundred years before they finally married."

Julian spoke with earnest conviction, every detail vivid and heartfelt.

When he finished, I said nothing, just stared straight into his eyes.

"Julian, do you remember how my brother treated you back then?" I asked, my voice cold.

Julian flinched, his eyes rimmed with sudden tears.

His body shook, and tears instantly welled up. "I remember.

"I was born into nothing, thrown into a mass grave after my parents died, left to be torn apart by dogs or sacrificed. Master Gideon saved me. He didn't care how filthy I was; he carried me home, fed me by hand, raised me, taught me magic.

"I also remember how he always spoke of you. You were the person he loved most."

I murmured, "Exactly. My brother was better to me than anyone, and I know exactly what kind of man he is."

"So..." My voice turned to ice. "Do you really think I'd believe a load of garbage like that?

"He gave up everything for Felicity. He was ready to throw away his entire path to power just to stay in the mortal world with her. How could he possibly abandon her for some other woman?

"He cherished every stone, every rune, every blade of grass in the Arcane Order. There's no way he'd just walk away from it all without a fight."

I grew up with Gideon. We spent more than twenty years side by side. I knew him better than anyone—his heart, his principles, the way he though.

There was no version of reality where he suddenly turned into someone else the moment I ascended.

Unless every single one of them was lying.

And even if—against all reason—he had changed into the selfish, world-loving traitor they were describing, someone would have had to wrong him in ways I couldn't even imagine.

Julian went white as a ghost the instant the words left my mouth. Sweat beaded on his forehead.

I'd hit the mark.

"I'll only believe what comes out of my brother's own mouth," I said, my voice icy. "Bring him to me. Let him tell me to my face. Until then, every word out of your mouths is worthless."

Julian stood frozen, lips trembling, but he didn't move to fetch anyone.

I had no patience left for their charade.

In a blink, I was across the room, my hand clamped around Felicity's throat.

"Talk. What did you do to my brother?" I demanded. "He loved you more than anyone!"

Felicity choked, face turning purple, nails digging desperately into my wrist as she fought for air.

Suddenly a small figure barreled into me and sank teeth into my hand.

"Bad man! Let go of my mom!" the child yelled, voice shrill with panic.

I flicked the boy away with an irritated sweep of my arm. He tumbled across the floor in a heap.

I flicked the boy away with an irritated sweep of my arm.

I stared at it, every muscle locking.

I released Felicity, letting her collapse in a gasping heap, and lunged for the medallion. My fingers shook as I picked it up.

"This is Gideon's protective medallion. I forged it myself with my own hands…" I murmured, my voice trembling. "Why is my brother's medallion hanging around this little bastard's neck?"