Page 41 of The Immortal Covenant

Though Faeris’ eyes narrowed, she grunted her assent, and they made the rest of the trip in silence. Soon enough, theDusk Citadel’s spiked spires loomed ahead. A familiar anxious anticipation took root in Sarilian’s chest, his excitement to see Malorg again and his enthusiasm for the Accords warring with his fear that this would amount to another wasted trip.

Malorg still cares—if not about you, then about the Accords…even if he wishes he didn’t.

The Dusk Citadel’s darkened halls passed in a blur. As they approached the familiar conference chamber, Sarilian glimpsed the hint of a mural along a wall and longed for Malorg’s darkvision enchantment so that he could better appreciate its obscured beauty. Unlike the Dawn Citadel’s barren walls, this place screamed of energetic life. Chaotic, yes, but enticing as well.

Or perhaps that’s your memories of illicit rendezvouses with a certain Infernal speaking.

Embarrassment flickered through Sarilian when he spotted the Infernal in question standing outside the meeting room. Malorg glanced up as the Celestial delegation neared, his pale gray gaze locking on Sarilian. Sarilian’s stomach sank as he took in the Infernal’s narrowed eyes and tensed posture.Better start bracing myself for another fight...

“Emissary,” Sarilian said by way of greeting.

“We need to talk.”

Malorg’s blunt response hung between them like a crackling storm. Sarilian blinked and glanced at Darius, who appeared equally taken aback. Clearing his throat, he forced a diplomatic smile.

“I believe that’s why we’re here. Now, if you’ll please accompany me inside, we can begin—”

“Not yet.” Malorg gestured to Darius, Faeris, and the other Celestials. “They can wait inside.” As if suddenly remembering himself, Malorg gave a belated bow. “If it pleases the Dawn Emissary, I wish a word in private before we begin.”

A nervous jolt buzzed Sarilian’s veins at the thought of being alone with Malorg. He shoved the feeling down, studying Malorg while he considered the Infernal’s request. The last time they’d spoken with just the two of them, it had devolved into a shouting match in the hall. But if there was even a chance that Malorg wanted to clear the air, Sarilian had to take it.

“Very well. Lead the way.”

Malorg nodded and set off down the hall. Sarilian caught Darius’ eye as he hurried to catch up, though he couldn’t read the Aspect’s stony face well enough to tell if he approved. Darius had made no secret of his mistrust for Malorg and for Infernals in general.

If I bring the Dawn Council results, then they’ll have no choice but to approve.

Malorg didn’t travel far, leading them around a bend and down a side passage before ducking into a narrow alcove. Though the alcove afforded them some privacy from the main hall, it didn’t offer much space, and Sarilian had to flatten himself against the back wall to leave a comfortable distance between them.

He crossed his arms, regarding Malorg. “So, what’s this all about?”

Waves of discomfort poured off Malorg as he shifted, a scowl plastered over his stormy face. When he didn’t speak, Sarilian raised an eyebrow. Malorg’s scowl deepened.

“I…I wanted to apologize,” he ground out. “For how I’ve been behaving. It was unprofessional. Starting today, I promise to do better so that we can make some genuine progress.”

Sarilian peered closely at Malorg. Despite his obvious reluctance, the Infernal appeared sincere. He slowly nodded. “Thank you. I apologize as well for any part I or my delegation played in…exacerbating tensions. We should all strive to set aside our differences for the sake of the Accords.”

“Agreed.” Malorg expelled a heavy breath. “Well then, if that’s settled…” He turned, his back still rigid, and began to walk away.

“Wait!” The Infernal paused, and Sarilian hesitated, considering what he wanted to say. Now that he had this opportunity to speak candidly with Malorg, he didn’t want to waste it. “Look…about what happened at the rift—”

“Forget it.” Malorg’s harsh words carried a warning. “Whatever happened is in the past.”

“Clearly not, given how you’ve acted toward me since I arrived in Twilight. If we’re going to collaborate, we need to be able to occupy the same room without biting each other’s heads off.”

A tremor racked Malorg’s back. “I took you aside to apologize. Now that I have, there’s nothing more we need to say to one another except what pertains to the Accords.”

Malorg resumed his long strides down the hall. Refusing to give up without a fight, Sarilian called after the retreating Infernal, “Thisdoespertain to the Accords. Or was your promise to bury the hatchet nothing but empty words?”

Malorg continued without looking back. Sarilian’s heart fell.So much for clearing the air.Then, Malorg jerked to a halt near the end of the corridor. He stood there for a long moment, seeming to war with himself, before finally spinning around and stalking back.

“Fine,” he snapped, stopping right before Sarilian. Shadows pooled around them, though Sarilian couldn’t tell if that was just a trick of the dim light. “Say whatever it is you have to say.”

Nerves fluttered Sarilian’s stomach as he considered where best to begin. “I’m sorry I didn’t warn you about the new Accords. It wasn’t fair for me to blindside you like that.”

Surprise flickered over Malorg’s face, quickly concealed beneath his stony mask. “Why didn’t you tell me you were the Dawn Emissary?”

Sarilian shrugged. “I told myself it didn’t matter—that you would be thrilled for the opportunity to finish what you’d started no matter who sat across from you at the negotiating table. But the truth is, I was scared.”

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