Sundered by Fate (Shadowbound #3)

Chapter 16

Sixteen

A ric's breath was still ragged as he stumbled back into the dimly lit corridor of the palace, his heart pounding in his ears. The visions Sylthris had forced upon him replayed in his mind, each brutal image etching itself into his memory. Malekith, broken and bloodied, calling for him—Aric clenched his fists, a surge of anger and desperation coursing through him.

"Sylthris," he growled, rounding on her where she stood in the shadows. "You vile creature—what game are you playing?"

Sylthris's eyes gleamed, their depths as inscrutable as the night sky. "A necessary one, Aric." Her voice was a low purr, infuriatingly calm. "For all of our sakes."

Aric closed the space between them with a furious grace. "Spare me your riddles," he snapped. "You toy with me—have always toyed with both of us—and now I have to know: are you responsible for this? This—is this yet more of your twisted plots?"

Sylthris sighed, the sound barely a breath. "I'm doing what I must to protect our realms, Aric. The Sovereign grows restless, and Malekith's actions have left us all vulnerable." She held up a hand as Aric started to interrupt. "But I've found a way—found a way to help."

"To help?" Aric's laugh was bitter and harsh in the dim hallway. "By making him suffer? By making him another tool in your hands? If you knew—you ever cared?—"

"It was never supposed to go that far." Sylthris frowned, genuine concern creeping into her voice. "I can keep an eye on him where Zaxos took him, and intervene when needed, as needed."

Aric bristled at her nonchalant tone. "Why should I trust you?" he demanded.

"You must trust me—for now," Sylthris said evenly. "You've seen the Sovereign's suspicions are boundless; if I move rashly, we lose everything."

Aric's shoulders sagged with frustration and helplessness. "You're asking me to put my faith in someone who's deceived me more times than I can count."

"And you've disappointed me yet again. Are you really so ignorant of the conspiracies at play?" Sylthris cocked her head.

An angry flush lit Aric's face even hotter as he recalled his abrupt awakening to palace guards barging into his rooms not long ago with suspicious stares—but he couldn't give way to Sylthris over that fact just yet.

Sylthris fixed him with those unsettling eyes. "We've reached a turning point for all of us," she continued softly. "When the time comes—and it will come soon—I need your cooperation to ensure we all come out ahead from this tangle."

Aric's pulse raced with a thousand unspoken questions. What had they done to Malekith in that wretched chamber? What horrors had he endured at their hands? And what did Sylthris mean by 'helping' him?

"What are you planning?" he demanded, taking another step forward. "What are they doing to him? Tell me!"

Sylthris's expression shifted, her inscrutable mask slipping ever so slightly. "Patience, Aric. All will be revealed in time."

"Dammit, Sylthris!" Aric slammed a fist into the wall, the stone shuddering under the impact. "Don't you toy with me—I won't let you use him?—"

Sylthris caught his wrist in an iron grip, her eyes flashing with something fierce and unyielding. "I'm not the one you should fear, Solarian."

Aric stilled under her touch, icy dread running down his spine. Sylthris was many things—a liar, a manipulator, a killer—but for all her faults, she was no sadist. If she was genuinely afraid of whatever scheme was in motion, then they were all in deep trouble.

"Then tell me," Aric said quietly. "Please."

Sylthris's hold on him softened, her thumb brushing over the back of his hand. For a heartbeat, Aric almost thought she might relent.

But then the mask fell back into place. Sylthris released him and stepped away, her eyes veiled once more.

"All in good time," she said.

Aric hesitated, anger and confusion warring within him. "You want me to help you hurt him," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "To play some role in this sick game of yours."

Sylthris's smile was sharp and humorless. "I want you to save him."

The words hung between them like a fragile thread, a lifeline that threatened to snap at the slightest provocation.

"I don't believe you," Aric said, shaking his head. "You've lied to us before. You used me, used him?—"

"And I'm not asking you to believe me now," Sylthris said, her eyes boring into his. "I'm asking you to see the truth for yourself. Look at what's happening in Astaria—at the anomalies tearing our worlds apart."

Aric flinched at the mention of Astaria, the memories of his home coming unbidden. The city he had sworn to protect, now a battleground for forces beyond his understanding.

"What do you know of Valerian's research?" Aric demanded, his suspicions hardening into certainty. "His so-called research to save humanity from demonic influence."

Sylthris's expression remained unchanged, but Aric thought he saw a flicker of something in her eyes. Surprise? Concern?

"I know that he's dabbling in forces he cannot hope to control," Sylthris said finally. "Forces that will tear your realm apart if left unchecked."

A chill ran down Aric's spine at her words. But before he could question her further, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed down the hallway.

"Go," Sylthris hissed, and in a blink, she melted back into the shadows.

Aric barely had time to register her absence before a patrol of Pureblade soldiers rounded the corner. Leading them was Cyrus Revenant, his gaunt face drawn tight with suspicion.

"Who were you talking to?" Cyrus demanded, his voice echoing through the corridor.

Aric's mind raced as he tried to concoct a plausible lie. "I—I wasn't talking to anyone."

Cyrus narrowed his eyes, his hand falling to the hilt of his sword. "Don't play games with me, Solarian. You think I can't sense the stench of demonic magic in this hallway?"

The soldiers tensed, their hands on their weapons, ready for battle.

"I—I was just—praying," Aric said, his voice wavering slightly. "Praying for guidance."

Cyrus took a step closer, his eyes searching Aric's face. "Praying? To whom?"

Aric swallowed hard, his palms sweating. "To the Light of the Divine," he said. "For strength to face the challenges ahead."

Cyrus opened his mouth to retort, but the arrival of a new voice cut him off.

"There you are!" Davin called out, jogging down the hallway with a grin. "I've been looking for you everywhere."

Cyrus scowled as Davin skidded to a halt beside Aric. "Who the hell are you?"

"Davin Lyantros, Silver Tower envoy," Davin said smoothly, producing a badge engraved with the Tower's insignia. "The Lord Regent asked me to escort Aric back to the Silver Tower for further questioning."

Aric shot Davin a grateful look.

Cyrus glared down at the badge, his jaw clenched with barely contained fury. "This isn't over, Solarian," he spat.

"I'm sure it's not," Aric replied, turning on his heel. "But right now, I've got orders from the Lord Regent to obey."

With that, he and Davin hurried away, leaving Cyrus and his soldiers behind in the flickering torchlight.

Once they were out of earshot, Aric let out a shaky breath. "Davin—thank you."

Davin flashed him a grin, but it quickly faded as he noted Aric's pale face and haunted eyes. "Are you okay?" he asked.

Aric shook his head, trying to silence the visions still swirling in his mind. "I just need some fresh air." He grabbed Davin's wrist and yanked him toward the stairs leading up to the palace gardens.

Aric and Davin navigated the palace corridors, their steps quick but measured to avoid drawing attention. Once they were a safe distance from the Pureblades, Davin leaned in close.

"What the hell were you doing down there, Aric? What did you find?"

Aric hesitated, his discoveries settling heavily on his shoulders. "Valerian's workshop. It's—it's a nightmare."

Davin's brows furrowed with concern. "What do you mean?"

"It's the anomaly," Aric said, glancing over his shoulder to ensure they were alone. "He's trying to—Gods, I don't even know what he's trying to do. But it's tearing at the seams of our worlds."

"What are you talking about?" Davin pressed. "Aric, what did you see?"

Aric shivered as he recalled the glowing runes, the twisted shards of ley lines, the gnawing void that seemed to swallow all light. "He's trying to harness the same force that caused the anomaly," he said finally. "To eradicate the demons from our realms forever, and gods be damned what it does to the land."

Davin sucked in a sharp breath. "What? Why would he?—"

"I don't know," Aric admitted. "But I think he's convinced it's the only way to stop them once and for all."

Davin shook his head, disbelief written across his face. "But he's our Lord Regent," he said, as if trying to convince himself as much as Aric. "He wouldn't do something that reckless."

"Wouldn't he?" Aric shot back, frustration and fear mingling in his chest. "You heard him at the tribunal—he's willing to do whatever it takes to protect Astaria. To protect humanity."

"And how does destroying half our realm protect us?" Davin asked.

"Exactly." Aric's jaw clenched with fury and desperation. "Whatever his intentions, his methods are pure madness."

Aric's breath came in ragged gasps as they finally neared the palace's exit. The night air was a blessed relief, cooling his flushed cheeks and steadying his racing heart. He glanced at Davin, who looked equally shaken, but there was a fierce determination in his eyes.

"We need to go to the Silver Tower," Aric said. "We have to warn them about what's happening—the anomaly, Valerian's research. It's all connected."

Davin nodded, his expression grim. "You're right. Olaya and the others need to know."

Aric's stomach churned at the thought of what awaited them at the Tower. Olaya had been reluctant to speak about the weapon they had used at Brenville—whatever catastrophic force they'd unleashed upon the demon realm. But maybe now she would have no choice but to share what she knew.

"Do you know anything about it?" Aric asked, searching Davin's face.

Davin shook his head. "Not much. Just rumors, really. They say it was some kind of superweapon, designed to end the war once and for all." He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "But if it's causing these anomalies..."

A heavy silence fell between them as they navigated the palace grounds, their path lit by the soft glow of moonlight.

"I have a feeling Valerian was involved," Davin said at last, his voice low. "I know he has grand plans for humanity's future—he's always talking about ascension and destiny and all that."

Aric's jaw tightened as he recalled Valerian's flowery speeches from the tribunal. "For humanity," he said derisively. "As if he's some kind of savior."

Davin gave him a sideways glance, one eyebrow arched. "And what about you, Aric? What do you think about all this?"

Aric started to respond, but the words caught in his throat. What did he think? His mind was a tangled web of conflicting emotions—fear for Malekith, anger at Valerian's manipulations, desperation to save both their worlds from this looming threat.

"I think," he said slowly, "we need to stop whoever is responsible for this anomaly before it's too late."

Davin nodded, a small smile playing at his lips. "Then let's go do it."

Suddenly, a commotion erupted in the palace, and the friends shared an instinctive look before hurrying back down the corridor. Servants and courtiers rushed past them, their faces alight with something between excitement and apprehension.

"What the hells—" Aric started to ask, but Davin was already grabbing a passing page by the arm.

"What's going on?" Davin demanded, his voice cutting through the noise.

The page, a young woman with wide eyes and flushed cheeks, took a deep breath before answering. "The king—King Aster—he's awake."

Aric's heart skipped a beat. King Aster? Awake? After all this time?

"He wants to address the court," the page continued, her words tumbling over one another in her rush to deliver them. "Please, you must hurry—the entire palace is gathering in the Great Hall."