Page 26 of The Immortal Covenant

Sarilian crept from hisquarters in Daybreak, already anticipating his reunion with Malorg. The moody Infernal might not always be the easiest company, but it never failed to melt Sarilian’s heart when Malorg looked at him like nothing else mattered, his hard expression softening and his iron eyes glinting with affection.

In the interminable days between their visits, Sarilian spent long hours pining for Malorg’s touch, remembering how it felt to have Malorg’s icy fingers trail down his side while the Infernal’s cool lips traced his collarbone like the gentle kiss of a breeze. Yet it was more than just physical attraction that kept Sarilian returning again and again to the Dusklands.

Beneath his sharp edges and deadly instincts, Malorgcared.Not only about duty and service like the Celestials or personal advancement like the Infernals. He cared about making a difference—about helping others, even if he’d forgotten to nurture his own hope somewhere along the way. His near-frustrating devotion to Sarilian’s safety offered proof enough of that.

Now, Sarilian was determined to helphim. Not because he felt sorry for the Infernal, or because he wanted to keep exploring their combined magic, or even because it was the right thing to do, but because in only a handful of months, Malorg had become the single most important thing in his life.

Shouldn’t the Covenant be the most important thing in your life?

A glimmer of guilt threaded through him as he checked the passages outside his quarters, relieved to find he was alone. While there wasn’t technically anything wrong with his secret excursions so long as he kept up with his other assignments, he had no illusions about the uproar it would cause if anyone discovered what he and Malorg were doing. The fewer people who suspected anything amiss, the better.

Which was why he froze when he entered the main dawnbeam waypoint in Daybreak and found Darius, Dawn Aspect of Justice, waiting there with a grim expression on his face.

“Sir!” He snapped to stiff attention. “What a pleasant surprise. I was just, um, about to—”

“Save it.” Darius’ amber eyes narrowed on him. “Spare me whatever half-baked excuse you’re about to offer. Just tell me one thing: does whatever you’re doing put the rest of us at risk? Does it betray your oaths or your duty?”

Sarilian’s eyes widened as he quickly shook his head. “No! Of course not, sir!” His shoulders slumped.Time to come clean.“To be honest, I was—”

He snapped back to attention as Darius raised a hand to cut him off. “I already told you, save it. I don’t want to know.”

“But—”

“So long as it doesn’t harm anyone else, what you do in your own time is your own business.” Darius grimaced. “No matter how much I might dislike it.”

Remembering how Darius had scrutinized the duskflame marks on his armor after Malorg saved him from those voidspawn, Sarilian winced.He knows. Or at least, suspected.

It should have been a relief that someone else had discovered his secret and seemed like they could be trusted to keep it. Yet, all Sarilian felt in the face of the Aspect of Justice’s obvious disapproval was shame.

“I’m sorry, sir,” he said, bowing his head.

Darius’ grim expression eased a hair. “I can’t pretend to understand why you’d want to spend so much time with a…with one ofthem. But I’ll reserve my verdict and give you the same lecture I would give any of my pupils I caught doing something reckless: be careful and don’t allowanythingto cloud your judgment. Whatever else you find to occupy you, the Covenant must come first. It is our sacred duty, and to forsake it is to forsake ourselves.”

“Of course, sir! My duty to Allariaalwayscomes first.” Even as he spoke the words, a part of him hesitated, the same question he’d had since his first meeting with Malorg lingering.

If I had to choose between him and the Covenant, which would I pick?

Afraid of the indecision Darius might catch on his face, Sarilian averted his eyes. After a lengthy pause, the Aspect sighed. “Glad to hear it. Because only the truly dedicated have a chance to secure a coveted spot on the Dawn Council. Someday, such a seat could be yours—perhaps even mine. But only if you want it withallyour being. As you were, soldier.”

Gratitude flooded Sarilian at the dismissal. With a quick nod to Darius, he hurried past the Aspect to one of the platforms that filled the high-ceilinged chamber. Their warm glow suffused theair, reflecting off the mirror-like silver walls and floor. From here, he could travel via dawnbeam to any linked waypoint within the Dawnlands—including the one nearest to his agreed meeting spot with Malorg.

Sarilian risked a parting glance and found the Aspect of Justice still standing in the doorway, watching him with a pensive frown. Swallowing another tremor of guilt, Sarilian issued a crisp salute and activated the pad.

As he rode the dawnbeam to the outskirts and slipped over the border into the Dusklands, he couldn’t shake Darius’ words from his head. Because like it or not, his mentor had a point. Malorg may have long since forgotten his duty…but Sarilian hadn’t.

“What’s gotyouso worked up?” Malorg asked, combing a hand through Sarilian’s short golden hair.

Sarilian grimaced and squeezed his eyes shut. “I’d rather not discuss it.”

“Come on,” Malorg pressed, giving a throaty chuckle when Sarilian burrowed his face into Malorg’s shoulder. “You know you can tell me anything.”

“I know,” Sarilian sighed. “It’s just…”

He shifted positions, settling with his back leaning against Malorg’s chest like a frosty cushion. Malorg obligingly wrapped Sarilian in a cold embrace, resting his hands on Sarilian’s stomach. Malorg’s fingers sketched little patterns on Sarilian’s skin that mimicked the Infernal’s tattoos.

The affectionate gesture lent Sarilian the courage to continue. “Do you ever wonder if what we’re doing is right?”

Malorg’s fingers paused where they’d been stroking Sarilian’s belly, his body going rigid. Sarilian held his breath, waitingto see how Malorg reacted. Relief trickled through him when Malorg relaxed and resumed his stroking.

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