"But...it's not."

" im aware of that now. "

"I would hope so."

" im never going to get over not being dead. "

She attacks the iron fae again, going for their faces specifically.

"Yeah, okay. I don't blame you, I guess."



There were lines of red on Sage's face and chest. Tertius bent down and took the Scepter of the Seasons. "Don't," Sage managed. "What are you doing?"

He observed them with solemn gray eyes. "Following the orders of my king."

"King?" Sage struggled to focus. He and the assassins that were left fought on. The wolf had its jaws clamped around a faery's leg, and Sage pressed it unmercifully with his sword. "You don't have a king anymore. Machina is dead."

"Yes, but our realm endures. I follow the commands of the new Iron King," Tertius murmured, drawing his sword. His blade was pure steel. "I bear you no ill will, this time. My orders do not include killing you. But I must obey my lord," he said to Isiea as some of the other Iron Fey were being mauled by her.

" being alive sucks. There's no purpose. "

She isn't even paying attention to Tertius. She's attacking the nearest iron fae instead.

"So you're suicidal?"


And with that, Tertius spun on his heel and marched away, still holding the Scepter of the Seasons. It pulsed blue and white in his hands, coating his gauntlets with frost, but he did not fumble. His face was grim as he strode up behind Sage, still locked in battle with the assassins. The wolf thrashed on the ground in a pool of blood, and Sages breaths came in ragged gasps as he fought on alone.

As Sage cut viciously at one of the Iron fey, he didnt see Tertius looming behind him until the knight was right there. Aware of the danger at last, Sage whirled, swinging his sword, cutting at Tertius's head. The knight knocked the blade aside and, as Sage staggered back, took one step forward and plunged his own sword through the Winter prince's chest.

" i would never kill myself. But yes, I suppose. "