Sundered by Fate (Shadowbound #3)

Chapter 14

Fourteen

B y dawn, Aric's mind was no closer to finding peace. He sat up with a groan, rubbing a hand over his face. The image of the pulsing artifact was still burned in his thoughts, taunting him with its mysteries. Whatever Valerian was involved in, it reeked of danger. And if he was as serious about his ambitions as Aric feared, Astaria—and perhaps the world—could be caught in the storm.

But for now, he needed answers.

With an unsteady hand, Aric pulled on his clothes, doing his best to smooth them out. The artifacts and tomes were still strewn around the room, their power humming in the still morning air. Too dangerous, he thought—at least without knowing more about the sigil's purpose. He'd need help to uncover what Valerian was hiding.

The choice was easy. Or at least, he'd been telling himself that since last night.

Davin had always been Aric's anchor. Even during their years apart, Davin had remained a constant presence at the edges of his thoughts—a touchstone to keep him grounded when all else felt adrift. When they'd reconnected after his exile from the Silver Tower, Aric had worried their friendship might never mend—but Davin's warmth and understanding had chipped away at the walls Aric had built around himself.

But involving him in this meant risking that trust—risking his loyalty if Valerian truly did have more sinister motives than just consolidating power in Astaria. There was so much they didn't know about the anomalies; about the sigils and arcane forces that seemed poised to shatter their world once again.

Aric composed a quick message requesting they meet for breakfast and asked a palace attendant to deliver it. Then he waited anxiously for Davin's reply: I'll meet you at first light.

Aric tossed the note into the fireplace, trying not to think about everything that could go wrong.

Davin arrived promptly at first light, concern etched on his face as he stepped into Aric's quarters. "Is everything all right? You said it was urgent?—"

"Close the door, please," Aric said. As soon as Davin did, he gestured for him to join him on the settee near the hearth. "I'm sorry to drag you into this," Aric said, once Davin had settled next to him, "but I need your help."

Davin's expression softened, a touch of his old warmth there. "Of course, Aric. You know you can always count on me. What do you need?"

Aric took a deep breath, trying to organize his thoughts amidst the whirlwind in his head. "It's about Valerian. And what I suspect he's been researching."

He explained as best he could, describing the strange sigil and the peculiar energy surrounding it; the destructive anomalies he believed were somehow linked to the magic Valerian was probing; the fire artifact he believed was sealed away in Valerian's research room in the library's lower levels. All the while omitting any mention of his encounters with Malekith, or their connection through the magic he hoped to unravel.

As he spoke, Aric noticed Davin's intense focus, the way he leaned in slightly—close enough that Aric felt the warmth radiating off his body. It sent a flutter of tension through Aric, made him hyper aware of every minute shift in the air between them.

"I know it's asking a lot," Aric said when he finally finished. "But if anyone can help me uncover what's really going on, it's you."

A grin broke through Davin's concerned expression—a flash of mischief and promise that tugged at old memories in Aric's heart. "Snooping around in secretive research is basically my middle name," Davin teased. "I knew my skills would come in handy one day."

Aric chuckled, some of his tension easing at Davin's infectious humor. But when he met Davin's eyes again, they were serious once more.

"I'll do whatever it takes to get to the bottom of this," Davin said softly. "You have my word."

And though Aric knew full well he couldn't give Davin what he'd left behind—or whatever Davin wanted now—the sincerity shining in those verdant eyes reminded him just how much was at stake for both their worlds.

Aric and Davin spent the next few hours devising a plan. It would require stealth, misdirection, and impeccable timing. And it would have to be carried out tonight, before the ceremonial dinner and the Fullmoon Festival following it.

"I can probably get us access to the lower levels without too much suspicion," Davin said. "I've been doing some research of my own down there recently."

Aric raised an eyebrow at that but didn't press for details—yet. They'd have time enough to swap stories once this was done.

Once they'd finalized the last of their preparations, Aric reached out and gripped Davin's shoulder. The touch brought Davin's gaze up to his, a mix of vulnerability and yearning there that twisted Aric's heart.

"Aric—" Davin started, voice cracking.

"Dav," Aric replied, equally quiet. Once, there might have been countless things he wanted to say, to promise—but he couldn't; not while their worlds seemed poised to crumble around them.

They stood like that for what felt like ages—Aric drowning in those verdant depths as regret sliced through him. He'd never meant to hurt Davin, or string him along with hints of what might have been, if things had been different.

If he were different.

But the secrets wrapped around him like chains—memories of another pair of eyes that had pierced him just as deeply; a touch that still lingered on his skin even after all these years apart.

He squeezed Davin's shoulder once, fiercely, before releasing him. "Whatever happens tonight," Aric said, "thank you."

Davin managed a wry smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Save it for after we pull this off. We're not done yet."

With their mission weighing heavy between them, they parted ways—both determined not to let this be the end.

They set their plan in motion under the silver light of the full moon. Davin, ever the showman, created a commotion in the palace gardens with a flash of spellfire—just enough to draw Valerian's attention, as they'd hoped.

Aric watched from the shadows as Valerian and his guards rushed toward the disturbance. The sight of Valerian in action—his lithe form moving with predatory grace, his eyes alight with determination—sent a jolt through Aric's chest. But he shoved it down, focusing on the task at hand.

Once they were out of sight, Aric slipped into the manor. The corridors were blessedly empty, the guards all drawn away by Davin's ruse. Aric moved quickly but carefully, his soft boots barely making a sound on the polished floors.

He reached Valerian's research space with only a few minutes to spare before Davin would run out of distractions. His heart pounded as he pressed his hand against the door's lock, magic flaring in his palm as he muttered a quick unlocking spell.

The door clicked open, and Aric slipped inside. The room was a maze of alchemical tools and strange arcane devices, the air thick with the scent of burning herbs and something metallic. Lines of chalk marked intricate patterns on the floor, and books were stacked precariously on every available surface, their spines cracked and yellowed.

And at the center, on a raised pedestal, sat an artifact not unlike the one he'd glimpsed in Valerian's quarters, only far larger—a twisted piece of dark metal, its surface etched with fiery glyphs that pulsed and glowed with a life of their own. Like the staff he’d seen in Valerian’s chambers, it had a pulsating violet stone set at one tip. Aric frowned, starting to reach for it—but caught himself thinking better of it when it began to quaver as his fingers neared it.

Some kind of warding spell, or something else? Regardless, Aric would have to investigate it more closely later, when he could be sure it wouldn’t endanger him, or give him away.

Aric moved deeper into the room, pulse heavy in his ears. Whatever Valerian was doing here, it was dangerous magic indeed. He had to find whatever he could that might shed light on the artifact's true nature.

He rifled through the stacks of books and scrolls, scanning each one quickly before moving on. Most were filled with references to ancient elemental lore, or the same Mage Lords of old that Valerian had spoken of so highly, though they were much more extensive than anything he had seen in his brief study session. He recognized a few lines from when they'd been students at the Silver Tower together—before he went dark and twisted, before Aric . . .

But there was no time to think about that now.

Aric continued searching through the scrolls, trying to ignore the ache building behind his eyes. The books and scrolls seemed largely devoted to harnessing elemental energies, but nothing directly about Valerian's sigil or its purpose.

Then, in a drawer beneath the far table, he found a bound journal. The cover was worn and the pages yellowed with age. Aric opened it, and immediately, he recognized the handwriting—neat and precise.

His heart skipped a beat. Where had he seen this before?

Flipping through the pages, he found diagrams of magical runes and formulas for amplifying elemental magic. Notes on leylines and their convergence points dotted the margins. A chill ran down Aric's spine. Valerian had been probing at something not unlike the weapon the Silver Tower mages had devised that had devastated Brenville so.

But this time, whoever had written these notes seemed to be searching for a way to tear through the fabric of reality entirely.

One phrase repeated over and over in a scrawled hand: "We must find the key." A shiver ran through Aric at the sight. Whatever Valerian—or whoever's research these were—was planning, it was clear that it would put both human and demon realms in danger if not stopped.

Aric stuffed the journal into his satchel, along with a few other books that seemed relevant. He'd pore over them later when he was safely back in his chambers. But first he needed to get out of here before Valerian returned?—

Suddenly, Aric heard approaching footsteps. He quickly replaced everything, ensuring the hidden compartment was securely closed. He looked around frantically for a hiding spot, finally concealing himself behind a large piece of equipment, his heart racing.

The door creaked open, and Valerian entered the room with Davin at his side. "I appreciate your diligence, Davin," Valerian said, his voice smooth as silk. "But it seems this was a false alarm. Likely just another surge in the anomalies that have been plaguing us."

Davin nodded, though his eyes scanned the room, searching for any sign of Aric. Aric held his breath, willing Davin to leave before he gave anything away.

"Nonetheless," Valerian continued, "I trust you'll keep a close watch on the situation. We can't afford any distractions as we prepare for tonight's strategy session."

"Of course, my lord." Davin offered a bow, and for an instant, Aric thought he caught sight of those bright green eyes staring straight at him.

Once alone, Valerian moved to the central pedestal, examining the pulsing artifact. His fingers danced over the instruments' dials, making minute adjustments as he muttered to himself.

"Stabilizing the power sources . . . Must prepare for the next phase . . ."

Aric's skin prickled with unease. Whatever "next phase" Valerian was referring to, it couldn't be good.

Valerian turned back toward the desk Aric had been examining and retrieved a bound journal, the one Aric had been poring over moments before. He flipped it open to a particular page and traced a finger over the runes sketched there.

"Yes, this should do nicely . . ." He continued to mutter as he consulted another book. "But I'll need to be certain first . . ."

Aric was straining to hear more when Valerian snapped both books closed with a decisive nod. He returned them to their place on the desk and resumed his study of the artifact, oblivious to his unseen observer.

He shrank further into his hiding place, watching Valerian's every move. But suddenly, a searing pain lanced through Aric's back, right where the sigil was etched into his skin.

He clapped a hand over his mouth to stifle the cry that threatened to escape. He couldn't risk alerting Valerian to his presence now, not after everything he'd learned. He just had to endure it?—

The pain intensified, spreading outwards in fiery tendrils until it filled his whole body. Through the haze of agony, he glimpsed images swirling before his eyes, half-formed and disjointed.

Malekith writhing in chains, blood streaming down his back—Sylthris standing before him with a cruel smile?—

And then the images changed, showing Sylthris standing somewhere else entirely, her expression grave. She seemed to be looking straight at Aric, her lavender eyes boring into him with unspoken knowledge.

Aric's breath caught in his throat. What was this vision trying to show him? He had to focus on it, try to make sense of the fragments?—

But the pain was too much. It pounded through his skull like a war drum, drowning out all thought.

He bit down on his knuckles to keep from crying out again. Stars danced at the corners of his vision as he fought to stay conscious. And then, as suddenly as it had come, the pain began to recede.

Aric sagged against the equipment he'd been using as cover, panting for breath. His limbs felt shaky and unsteady as he tried to push himself up. He had to get out of here—had to find some way of deciphering what the sigil was trying to show him.

But before he could move, he heard a voice. "Who's there?" Valerian stood at the doorway once more, his eyes searching the room. "Is someone there? Show yourself!"

Aric froze as Valerian took a cautious step inside. There was no way out except past him; if Valerian found him now?—

He held perfectly still as Valerian prowled further into the room. He couldn't risk using any magic—not when he didn't know what effect it might have on the sigil again.

Valerian paused by the pedestal holding the artifact and frowned down at it. "Curious . . ." he muttered, before shaking his head.

It was only once Valerian left again that Aric finally let himself relax.

Aric waited in silence until he was certain Valerian was gone, then retrieved the satchel and made a hasty retreat out of the research room. He needed to hurry back to his quarters without raising any alarm. But his mind was still reeling from the pain and visions, his body unsteady.

He hurried down the darkened corridors, ignoring the oppressive silence that seemed to close in around him. He turned a corner—and stopped short at the sight of a guard patrol coming his way.

Damn it. The halls were supposed to be clear.

He ducked through the nearest door, finding himself in an abandoned office of some kind. Papers were strewn across the desks, layered with dust. Aric headed further in, hoping to find another way out.

But as he pushed through an adjoining door, he realized he had no idea where he was going. This part of the palace was unfamiliar to him—likely sealed off from use long ago.

He pressed on through the darkened halls, his heart pounding in his ears. The smell of disuse and musty papers clung to his nose as he moved through the forgotten corridors.

But no matter how many turns he took or doors he opened, there seemed to be no end in sight. Panic clawed at his chest as he realized he was hopelessly lost.

If he didn't return to his quarters soon, someone would notice his absence. And with what he'd found in Valerian's research space?—

Aric shook his head, trying to dispel the feeling that he was being watched. He needed to stay calm, keep moving?—

Suddenly, a shadow detached itself from the wall ahead of him.

Golden flames flared in his hands. "Who are you?—?"

But the figure moved impossibly fast, her cloak flowing behind her as she glided across the room. Before Aric could react, her hand shot out and seized his wrists.

The flames sputtered and died as she tightened her grip. "There. We can't have you scorching the place, can we?"

Aric stared at her, bewildered—and then went cold. With a smooth motion, she lowered her hood, revealing her face.

"Aric Solarian," Sylthris the Gravewhisper said, smiling wickedly. "I believe it's high time you and I had a little chat."