Finale

by Stephanie Garber

  “Have you come to a decision?” The Maiden Death spoke softly from the doorway, but Tella could feel power pulsing around her as her ghostly gown fluttered, while the Assassin stood at her side collecting shadows.

  Legend’s handsome face appeared impassive, but Tella swore the arched doorway in which the Fates stood grew taller, making both of them look smaller. “Thank you for the offer,” he said, “but we’d rather fight this battle alone.”

  “I don’t believe you can win without us,” sighed the Maiden Death. “At least take these.”

  There was a hiss and a pop, like a strike of the match, and then the Assassin was standing next to Tella, placing two thick discs in her palm. Luckless coins.

  Tella flashed back to when Jacks had given her one of these. She remembered thinking the magical coin was such a special gift. But there was a reason the objects were called luckless. They could be used not just to summon Fates, but to track humans.

  “In case you change your mind,” rasped the Assassin.

  “Hold them tight, say our names, and we will come to your aid,” the Maiden Death promised.

  Tella had to admit, they were kinder than any of the other Fates she’d met, and yet she still tossed their coins into a rubbish bin as soon as they disappeared.

  “So what do we do now?” asked Jovan.

  “I have a new idea,” Tella offered.

  Another girl might have remained quiet after her last scheme had failed so spectacularly. But it was for that reason that Tella felt the need to find a plan that worked. The idea was something Jacks had suggested, but she hadn’t seriously considered it before. It would be riskier to her sister, because it would mean she’d need to get the Fallen Star’s blood, but if it worked, it would end up saving Scarlett—and the entire empire.

  “There’s a book in the Immortal Library that will reveal a person’s or a Fate’s entire history. If we find this book and read the Fallen Star’s history, it should tell us any weakness that he has.”

  Aiko looked up from her notebook, where she’d already begun sketching their encounter with the Assassin and the Maiden Death. “You’re talking about the Ruscica. That book could be very useful, but to access the Fallen Star’s history, we would need a vial of his blood.”

  “I know.” Tella took a deep breath, hoping this gamble would pay off. “My sister is with the Fallen Star, and once we have the book, we can send a message asking her to get the blood.”

  “No,” Julian objected. “That would put her in too much danger.”

  “All of us are in danger,” Aiko said.

  “And Scarlett won’t be alone.” Legend divided looks between Nigel, Aiko, Caspar, and Jovan. “While Tella and I search for the Ruscica, Nigel, get back into the palace and find out what the Fates have planned next. Aiko, figure out which Fates are in Valenda—I don’t want to be surprised by any more visits. Caspar, find a way into the palace as well and try to learn how loyal people are to the Fates in charge. Jovan, I want you on Scarlett. Sneak into the Menagerie ruins, make sure she stays safe, and when you can, slip her a note letting her know we need the Fallen Star’s blood.”

  Tella wanted to protest—getting the Fallen Star’s blood was going to be risky for Scarlett. She didn’t want her sister attempting it until they had the book. But the longer they waited to ask Scarlett to get the blood, the longer she would be in the Menagerie with him.

  “I still don’t like this plan,” said Julian. “If anyone’s going to watch over Crimson, I should.”

  “Not a chance,” Legend replied. “You’ll get caught, and if something happens to you now, I can’t bring you back.”

  Julian glared up at his brother. “You won’t have to bring me back. I won’t get caught.”

  “I’m not going to argue about this.” Legend shook his head, his tone dismissive.

  Julian shot up from his chair, and suddenly everyone at the table had somewhere else to look, but Tella couldn’t tear her eyes away. Legend was taller and broader, but Julian’s face was full of the kind of raw emotion Legend never showed. “You don’t want to argue because you know I’m right.”

  “You’re not right,” Legend said. “You’re in love and it makes you sloppy.”

  Julian flinched. So did Tella.

  Not that Legend even appeared to notice her reaction.

  “You’re right, Legend,” Tella said, drawing his attention back to her.

  Legend smiled, pleased she agreed with him, until Tella went on. “Love is messy. It’s not easily controlled. But that’s what makes it so powerful. It’s unbridled passion. It’s caring about someone else’s life more than you care about your own. I agree that Julian is probably in more danger of being caught, or worse, if he goes to the Menagerie ruins to watch over Scarlett, but I think it’s admirable that he’s willing to take that risk.”

  Julian stood a little taller. “Thank you, Donatella.”

  “But I still agree with Legend. If you’re at risk, Julian, it puts my sister in more danger—if she were to find out you were there and in trouble, she’d do anything to save you. I think the best thing for her would be if you stayed away.”

  Julian shook his head with a scowl.

  But there were no more arguments after that. It was almost eerie how no one else debated their assignments. In the end, everyone agreed to follow Legend’s orders. Even Julian, who received an assignment which did not involve infiltrating the Menagerie ruins where Scarlett was being kept.

  As Tella watched everyone quietly leave, she wondered if maybe Legend had manipulated them all. Did he possess another type of magic that she didn’t know about? Or maybe it had something to do with how they were all bonded to him.…

  “I know what you’re thinking,” Julian said. Everyone else had gone, and he was almost at the door, but he turned back and looked upon Tella. “You’re wondering if we all only agreed because we’re tied to Legend by magic. You’re wondering if the same thing will happen to you if you accept the offer my brother made you, and become an immortal—”

  “Julian,” Legend warned.

  “Relax, brother.” A wolfish smile replaced Julian’s scowl. “I was just going to tell her the truth. We all have free will, Tella. If you become immortal, you won’t lose your free will. You won’t feel my brother controlling you. But you’ll never feel him loving you like the way I love Crimson.” With that, he walked out of the room, leaving Tella and Legend alone.

  The warm lights of the study dimmed as Tella heard Legend move closer. The air grew warmer and her heart beat faster, but she didn’t dare look up at him. It was too easy to be hypnotized by everything about him.

  Earlier, when he’d kissed her in the market, she’d felt how much he’d wanted her, she’d thought maybe it could be enough; being wanted by Legend was heady and powerful. Then she’d watched Julian. Tella had never been attracted to Julian, but for a moment she’d hated how jealous she’d been of what her sister had with him. Enough would never be enough for Tella. She wanted a love worth fighting for, but immortals couldn’t love.

  “My brother only said that because he’s upset.” Legend’s low voice was right beside Tella and as he spoke, the world transformed. The walls turned to smoke, the abandoned table vanished, and the doorway disappeared, until it was just the two of them, standing under a velvet sky full of surreal white stars. Flickering. Glimmering. Shimmering lights. But none of them shined like Legend’s coal-dark eyes when she finally looked up at him.

  “There are other advantages to being immortal.” His warm hand slipped around her neck before his fingers slid into her hair. “Give me a chance. Please.”

  Tella tilted her head back, leaning into his palm at the word please. The way he said it made her feel so wanted and important, once again.

  His mouth twitched into half a smile, and the world went a little brighter as several stars fell from the sky, tumbling toward the earth in dazzling arcs of fire.

  Tella loved it when he showed off. She loved that he wa
s magical. She loved so many things about him. She wanted him more than she’d ever wanted anyone—she didn’t want him to let her go or to leave her alone, not even for a moment. She wanted him to chase her to the ends of the earth, to show up in her dreams every night, and to be there when she woke as well. She wanted him to love her.

  But knowing what love would cost Legend, she could never ask again. Tella needed to end this, for both of them.

  She knew Legend didn’t love her; he had said he never would. But, just in case that ever changed, the last thing she wanted was to be the reason that he didn’t come back to life when he died.

  Tella gave him the sort of smile she usually paired with half-hearted apologies. “I can’t do this.”

  Several stars disappeared from the sky.

  Tella faltered, but she didn’t stop. “I thought I could consider it. But I actually think I fell more in love with the idea of you than the real you.”

  Legend clenched his jaw. “You don’t mean that, Tella.”

  “Yes, I do.” She forced the words out, each one tasting worse than the last. But she knew that if she didn’t go through with this now, she wouldn’t be able to do it again.

  Legend might not have been able to feel love, but from the way he kept looking at her—from the way his mouth slammed into a taut line and his eyes turned distant and guarded—it was clear he knew how to feel hurt.

  Tella made herself continue, her forced smile fading. “It’s sort of like how you wanted to see if you could convince the world you were Elantine’s heir. Only I…” She took a deep breath. “I wanted to see if I could make the Great Master Legend fall in love with me.”

  Legend’s face became a mask of perfect calm, but what remained of the stars in their sky went out all at once, cloaking them both in sudden darkness. “If that’s true, Donatella, then we both failed at getting what we wanted.”

  Before she could reply, he was gone.

  35

  Donatella

  That night, Tella tried not to think about Legend. She needed to focus. She couldn’t think of the hurtful things she’d said to him, or the way he’d left her in total darkness, as she penned a note to her sister that would either doom them all or save them.

  * * *

  Scar,

  We need a vial of the Fallen Star’s blood. But be very careful getting the blood, and with the Fallen Star—whatever you do, don’t try to make him love you. When I went to the Vanished Market, I learned that the Fallen Star loved our mother once—she was the only human he ever loved, and he killed her.

  Be more cautious than you’ve ever been in your life.

  Love,

  T

  * * *

  Tella lost track of how many times she reread the note before finally giving it to Jovan, who would deliver it to Scarlett later that day, for it was already after midnight. Tella was beyond tired, but even after she climbed into bed, she fought against sleep, not wanting to face whatever waited for her—or rather, what didn’t wait for her—in her dreams.

  36

  Donatella

  The dreamy sky carriage came into focus slowly. It enveloped Tella like a tucked-away memory laced with hints of apples and magic. The leather cushions beneath her were buttery and trimmed in thick royal blue that matched the heavy curtains lining the oval windows. It was exactly like the first sky carriage she’d ever been in, except for its size. It was about half the size of a regular coach, leaving practically no room between her and the young man who sat opposite her, Jacks.

  He grinned like a scoundrel as he tossed a shimmery white apple between his pale fingers. And for the first time Tella was glad that she’d given him permission to enter her dreams.

  His apple looked as if its skin had been dipped in glitter, and yet its shine was that of a spark to a flame when compared to the Prince of Hearts. He was a little disheveled, as usual—his light brown trousers were only half tucked into his boots, his rusty-red velvet tailcoat was wrinkled, and his cream cravat was only half tied. But his skin glowed like a star, his golden hair shone brighter than any crown, and his unearthly eyes gleamed with a shade of blue that made Tella think of the most wonderful mistakes.

  “What are we doing here?” she asked. She knew they were in a dream, and, like Legend, Jacks appeared to have the ability to control it.

  “I thought I’d try something new. I want us to start over.” He flashed his dimples in a way that Tella imagined was an attempt at an innocent smile.

  She wondered briefly what might have happened if he’d given her that smile the first time they’d met, rather than threatening to toss her out of the carriage. She wouldn’t have thought he was the least bit innocent or harmless, but she would have been intrigued.

  “Say you could relive that day. What would you have done differently?”

  “Maybe I’d have offered you a bite of my apple.” He leaned forward, approaching her almost reverently, and set the glittering piece of fruit in her hands. It was colder than his skin, nearly burning in its iciness. “Go ahead and take a bite, my love. It’s just an apple.”

  “For some reason, I don’t believe you.”

  His grin twitched. “It may have a little magic.”

  “What kind?”

  “Taste it and find out.” Jacks’s challenging stare looked like a dare, the sort that was already lost as soon as it was accepted.

  If this had happened the first time they’d met, she probably would have taken a bite, half curious about the magical white fruit, half hoping to impress the even more magical boy across from her. And it probably would have put her under a spell more treacherous than his kiss had.

  “I think I’ll pass.” She handed him the apple.

  Jacks took hold of her instead. In an instant she was across the carriage and folded neatly in his lap, his cool arms wrapped around her, and his lips were close enough to kiss.

  “Jacks.” Tella placed a hand against his chest before he could lean any closer. “I would have been tempted by the apple, but I might have actually pushed you out of the carriage if you’d tried this that day.”

  “Then push me, Donatella. I won’t stop you if that’s what you want.” But rather than letting her go, the arms around her tightened. Then his head tilted to the side. His lips found the sensitive place where her neck met her jaw.

  “Jacks…” Her voice was too breathless. It sounded like an invitation instead of a warning as his mouth trailed down her neck, moving slowly and softly against her skin. His lips dropped lower, to the hollow of her throat, and her heart beat faster. When Jacks kissed her it always felt a little like he worshipped her. And with everything that had just transpired with Legend, it was so very tempting to just let him keep doing it.

  “Tell me what you want, Donatella. Say it and I’ll give it to you.” His mouth stilled on her collarbone.

  “Jacks.” She pushed hard on his chest. There wasn’t really enough room in the carriage for her to go anywhere, but she was able to separate his lips from her skin. Three months ago, she wouldn’t have stopped him. The Tella who didn’t believe in love would have played with Jacks the same way he clearly enjoyed playing with her. But Tella felt too vulnerable to play tonight.

  “I’m sorry, Jacks. I don’t think you can give me what I want.”

  The color of his eyes dulled to pale sea glass, something like hurt filling his gaze. “If I had my full powers, I could change your mind. I could make you feel more than you’ve ever imagined. I can even make the feeling last if you tell me who Legend is.”

  He stroked her cheek; his touch was affectionate—but there was nothing loving or warm about what he’d suggested.

  Unlike the other Fates, Jacks hadn’t been in the cards when Legend had freed them from the Deck of Destiny, so he remained weakened. But with his complete powers, Jacks could control anyone’s emotions. While having him take her feelings from her for one night had been a relief, Tella wouldn’t ever want to give someone that much power over her indefinitely.


  “I wouldn’t want that, either,” she said softly.

  “At least I tried.” His dimples returned. “I suppose I’ll just have to try harder.”

  He ran his fingers down her cheek once more as the dream dissolved.

  37

  Scarlett

  While Tella was still asleep, Scarlett received a note sheathed inside the linen napkin accompanying her breakfast. She resisted the urge to immediately tear open the message. Instead, she took another sip of her morning cordial and slowly slid the page into her pocket.

  She swore she could see puffs of demanding purple drifting up from where the message hid, as if it contained some of her sister’s impatience.

  The Lady Prisoner was friendly, forthcoming with what she knew about the Fallen Star’s plans, and she hadn’t told him about Scarlett’s use of the Reverie Key. And yet Scarlett still didn’t entirely trust her. She let the note sit in her pocket until later that afternoon, when the Lady Prisoner’s eyes were finally closed for her nap and Scarlett could see that her colors had genuinely shifted to the tranquil teal of still waters.

  The lady Fate never slept long—Scarlett imagined it had something to do with the fact that she was forced to sleep on a perch. So Scarlett read quickly, and then she penned a hasty note of her own.

  * * *

  Donatella,

  I’ll get the blood, and I’ll be careful, but whatever you’re doing—be quick. In three days’ time, the Fallen Star plans to make his claim for the throne. He’s bragged to me that his Fates will continue to torment the city. When he makes his first public appearance, he wants the people of Valenda to beg him to claim the throne and replace the Fates who killed Legend. No one will think to complain that he’s crowned himself emperor until it’s too late.

  All my love,

  S

  * * *