Page 60 of The Immortal Covenant

Darius remained stoic in the face of Sarilian’s urgency, and it was only belatedly that Sarilian realized Darius had anticipated the impact his news would have. If he hadn’t known everything before, he certainly did now.

A month ago, this revelation would’ve stricken Sarilian. In the face of Malorg’s suffering, however, the Aspect’s potential judgment felt next to meaningless.

“The Dawn Council could never approve such an act,” Darius said. “Celestials aiding an enemy of the Dusk Council within their own territory? It would be a clear violation of the Covenant, tantamount to a declaration of war. Within a year, we might be fighting each other with as much ferocity as we fight the Void.”

“But we have to dosomething!”Sarilian opened and closed his hands as he paced the length of the room. “Without Malorg,we might never have uncovered Pelorak’s ploy. You and the rest of the Dawn Councilowehim.” He spun and glared out at Daybreak’s gleaming spires. “Maybe you can negotiate a deal for his release. Offer him sanctuary.”

A flicker of emotion Sarilian couldn’t interpret filtered over Darius’ otherwise impassive face. His shoulders tightened. “I already spoke with the other Aspects. We agreed that it would set a dangerous precedent to grant asylum to an Infernal. What if others decided to follow suit? The potential security risks are too great.”

“Security risks?”The muscles in Sarilian’s jaw ticked. “Malorg gave up everything to help us, and you’d abandon him out of cowardice?”

Dawnflame flared around Darius as he rose, his eyes blazing. For the first time since the conversation began, he appeared every bit the Dawn Aspect he was.

“Do not forget yourself, Sarilian. While you might someday come to occupy my seat, for now I remain the Aspect of Justice. Do you think that I and the rest of the Dawn Council haven’t already given this decision proper consideration? Even setting aside the possibility of more Infernal trickery, what of the logistical difficulties involved in housing an Infernal in the Dawnlands indefinitely?”

Sarilian bowed his head, helpless frustration ratcheting through him. Darius had a point. Spending more than a day or two in the Dawnlands would be tantamount to a death sentence for Malorg. Even if he escaped captivity, he’d have nowhere to go. He’d remain on the run, an eternal fugitive, hunted and alone.

No.Notalone.

Sarilian straightened his back, a sudden calm rushing over him. For the first time in weeks—perhaps since he’d seen Malorg again all those months ago—he felt the different conflictingpieces within him realigning and slotting into place. He knew what he had to do.

“Very well. If you won’t help, then I’ll go to Twilight and rescue him myself.”

What remained of Darius’ calm facade shattered. His hands clutched the back of his chair as if for support. “Don’t be a fool! If you did that, we’d have no choice but to disavow your actions and declareyoua fugitive as well. Even if you succeeded in freeing the Dusk Emissary from an Infernal stronghold, you’d both be exiles, welcome nowhere in the Immortal Realm.”

Sarilian didn’t flinch, didn’t hesitate. He knew all of that. And just as none of the risks or consequences had changed Malorg’s decision, they didn’t alter Sarilian’s now. “So be it.”

“Please, Sarilian, think about what you are doing.” A note of pleading entered the Aspect’s voice as he stepped toward Sarilian, raising his hands imploringly. “You have enormous potential. I saw that within you at our very first meeting. Don’t throw away your dream of becoming an Aspect, your future here with us, over your affection for one unworthy Infernal!”

Hot, protective anger flared through Sarilian like wildfire. Darius’ eyes widened when instead of backing down, Sarilian stepped forward, glaring at the startled Aspect.

“You claim to represent the ideal of justice. Tell me, then,sir—how is it just to abandon an innocent being to a terrible fate? You and the rest of the Dawn Council cower behind politics and prejudice. If you prioritize what is convenient over what is right, then you are no better than the Infernals you claim to hate!” He shook his head. “From where I stand, there is no better way for me to embody the Aspect of Justice than to do what is right when others fear to.”

Darius stood there, stunned, and it slowly sank in what Sarilian had just done.Merciful Light, did I really call the Aspect of Justice himself out for failing to live up to his station?

Trepidation flipped Sarilian’s stomach as the Aspect of Justice slowly straightened, his expression unreadable. He braced himself for Darius’ retribution, gaging the distance to the open balcony in case his mentor attempted to restrain him here by force.

Shock radiated through him when Darius instead stepped forward and swept him into a fierce embrace. “For the record, I still think you’re being a Light-blinded fool.” Emotion bled into Darius’ voice, turning it raw. “Nevertheless, I’m proud of you.”

“Thank you,” Sarilian whispered. “For everything.” He swallowed, blinking back sudden tears. “It has been my honor serving as your pupil. Although, I doubt I’ll be inheriting your seat on the Dawn Council after this.”

Darius chuckled wetly. “No, I expect not.”

Sarilian lost his battle, his tears flowing freely as he hugged the old Celestial. Once he left, there was a good chance they’d never see each other again. “I’m sorry I wasn’t a better protégé. I’m sorry I’ve let you down.”

“Don’t,” Darius said sharply. He broke the embrace and stepped back, glaring at Sarilian with his hands planted on Sarilian’s shoulders.“Neverapologize for doing what you believe is right. The Dawn Aspects are all well and good, but in the end, onlyyouget to judge the worthiness of your choices. After all, you’re the one who has to live with them.”

Giving Sarilian a final pat on the back, Darius cleared his throat while struggling to recompose his face. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I believe I have important business to attend to somewhere far, far away from here. Should anyone ask me, last I heard you were resting in your chambers following your heroic victory against the voidspawn.”

Sarilian grinned, swiping at his eyes. “Of course, I am. What else would I be doing?”

Darius held his gaze a moment longer, the fondness there stealing Sarilian’s breath and threatening to make him tear up all over again. Then, with a brief, approving nod, the Aspect of Justice strode from Sarilian’s chambers, leaving him alone.

Sarilian glanced about his quarters: pristine and ordered, like everything in the Dawnlands.Am I really about to do this?Darius was right—there’d be no going back. Taking this step meant abandoning his responsibilities, defying the Dawn Council, and turning his back on his people. It went against everything he’d thought he stood for.

And yet, he had never felt so certain he was doing the right thing.

Hold on, Malorg,he thought as he headed toward the closest waypoint. His hand clutched at the duskflame necklace that sat, as always, right beside his heart.I’m coming for you.

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