Page 127 of Soul Forge

“Good. Are you here to tell me what you found?” She didn’t miss how he leaned forwards in his seat, nor did she miss the eager glint in his eye.

“We made a promise that we would.” She didn’t take the seat he gestured to. “My visit is brief. We need to return to Saeryn as soon as possible.” And she needed to make sure Sypher was okay.

“Of course, of course,” he agreed. “Tell me, how did you get through the mountain?”

“We didn’t. We flew to the summit.” She chose not to tell him about the door.

“What did you find there?”

“Iliria, the city of angels. It’s destroyed just like the legends say.”

“Iliria,” he echoed, his eyes widening. “That name hasn’t been spoken since the angels walked the continent! What a fascinating piece of information. My scholars will be overjoyed.”

“Your scholars will be disappointed, Your Grace,” she replied calmly. “That’s the only information we have. The damage to the city is extensive. Very little remains, and what is there isn’t suitable for scavenging.”

“That is a tragedy,” Runiel nodded, not sounding concerned in the slightest. “I’d hoped for an interesting relic. How did you access the city?”

Elda clasped her hands behind her back so he wouldn’t see them clench into fists. “I didn’t. The entrance would only open for Sypher.”

“And why is that?”

“I believe that goes beyond the terms of our bargain,” she replied through tight lips.

Runiel’s smile was bright. “I asked you to tell me what you found up there,” he agreed. “That doesn’t technically constitute anything youfoundso much aslearned, you are correct. Was thereanythinginteresting up there?” His eagerness to pick apart the lives of the dead set her teeth on edge.

“Broken buildings. Lots of bones. A sword that now belongs to Sypher. Everything else was destroyed.” Her reply was clipped, but she was too preoccupied with the Soul Forge disappearing to worry too much about offending him.

The prince cocked his head, studying her face for a moment before sighing. “That’s a shame. I was hoping for something more interesting than a door I can’t open to a city that has no people left.” He clasped his hands together, apparently oblivious to the rage his blasé assessment of the dead city sparked within her. “No matter, you fulfilled your end of the bargain, my beauty. I’ll let you take your leave. Please do visit me again in the future.”

She bowed and turned back to the gate, resisting the urge to run. Her shoulders only relaxed when her boots hit the bridge. Pausing at the apex, she surveyed the beauty of Cenet once more, taking in the gently rippling lake, the ornate palace, and the smattering of opulent buildings lining the shore. That morning, it had been resplendent. A piece of living art for her to walk through and breathe in.

Now? It was a mockery. A mere shade of what it could be. Even ruined, Iliria had held more soul, more life, than Cenet could ever hope to. The city of angels had been built by loving hands, every building crafted with a story etched into its walls. The fae city had been made simply to show off the obscene wealth the kingdom enjoyed.

The beating of a pair of wings caught her attention, dragging her eyes away from the taunting glints of gold and white. Sypher dropped onto the bridge beside her, a shadow against the pale background. He leaned against the railings, the light breeze ruffling his hair.

“We have a problem,” he stated.

“What problem?”

“Vel. He’s silent.”

Elda blinked – that had been the last thing she expected him to say. “Silent? Isn’t that a good thing right now? Maybe he’s giving you space.”

“Vel only goes quiet when he’s furious,” Sypher muttered.

“Ah. How long has he been quiet?”

“Since both of us learned what I am.”

“Perhaps he’s just processing?” she said hopefully.

“Or he’s so disgusted at being half angel that he’s refusing to speak with me at all. Silence is dangerous. It means he’s angry. What if he flips out the next time we get into a fight and goes on a rampage?”

“Sypher, you both went through a lot in areallyshort space of time.” She laid a hand on his arm. “Neither of you is okay right now. Don’t make any judgements until you can think straight.”

“I wish I shared your logic,” Sypher murmured. “I’ve never felt so broken.”

“It’s okay to fall apart.” Elda spoke gently. “You have me to lean on.” She saw the tell-tale glint of moisture in his eyes, but he didn’t look away, and the tears didn’t fall.

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