Page 58 of Sundered By Fate

By dawn, Aric's mind was no closer to finding peace. He sat up with a groan, rubbing a hand over his face. The image of the pulsing artifact was still burned in his thoughts, taunting him with its mysteries. Whatever Valerian was involved in, it reeked of danger. And if he was as serious about his ambitions as Aric feared, Astaria—and perhaps the world—could be caught in the storm.

But for now, he needed answers.

With an unsteady hand, Aric pulled on his clothes, doing his best to smooth them out. The artifacts and tomes were still strewn around the room, their power humming in the still morning air. Too dangerous, he thought—at least without knowing more about the sigil's purpose. He'd need help to uncover what Valerian was hiding.

The choice was easy. Or at least, he'd been telling himself that since last night.

Davin had always been Aric's anchor. Even during their years apart, Davin had remained a constant presence at the edges of his thoughts—a touchstone to keep him grounded when all else felt adrift. When they'd reconnected after his exile from the Silver Tower, Aric had worried their friendship might nevermend—but Davin's warmth and understanding had chipped away at the walls Aric had built around himself.

But involving him in this meant risking that trust—risking his loyalty if Valerian truly did have more sinister motives than just consolidating power in Astaria. There was so much they didn't know about the anomalies; about the sigils and arcane forces that seemed poised to shatter their world once again.

Aric composed a quick message requesting they meet for breakfast and asked a palace attendant to deliver it. Then he waited anxiously for Davin's reply:I'll meet you at first light.

Aric tossed the note into the fireplace, trying not to think about everything that could go wrong.

Davin arrived promptly at first light, concern etched on his face as he stepped into Aric's quarters. "Is everything all right? You said it was urgent?—"

"Close the door, please," Aric said. As soon as Davin did, he gestured for him to join him on the settee near the hearth. "I'm sorry to drag you into this," Aric said, once Davin had settled next to him, "but I need your help."

Davin's expression softened, a touch of his old warmth there. "Of course, Aric. You know you can always count on me. What do you need?"

Aric took a deep breath, trying to organize his thoughts amidst the whirlwind in his head. "It's about Valerian. And what I suspect he's been researching."

He explained as best he could, describing the strange sigil and the peculiar energy surrounding it; the destructive anomalies he believed were somehow linked to the magic Valerian was probing; the fire artifact he believed was sealed away in Valerian's research room in the library's lower levels. All the while omitting any mention of his encounters with Malekith, or their connection through the magic he hoped to unravel.

As he spoke, Aric noticed Davin's intense focus, the way he leaned in slightly—close enough that Aric felt the warmth radiating off his body. It sent a flutter of tension through Aric, made him hyper aware of every minute shift in the air between them.

"I know it's asking a lot," Aric said when he finally finished. "But if anyone can help me uncover what's really going on, it's you."

A grin broke through Davin's concerned expression—a flash of mischief and promise that tugged at old memories in Aric's heart. "Snooping around in secretive research is basically my middle name," Davin teased. "I knew my skills would come in handy one day."

Aric chuckled, some of his tension easing at Davin's infectious humor. But when he met Davin's eyes again, they were serious once more.

"I'll do whatever it takes to get to the bottom of this," Davin said softly. "You have my word."

And though Aric knew full well he couldn't give Davin what he'd left behind—or whatever Davin wanted now—the sincerity shining in those verdant eyes reminded him just how much was at stake for both their worlds.

Aric and Davin spent the next few hours devising a plan. It would require stealth, misdirection, and impeccable timing. And it would have to be carried out tonight, before the ceremonial dinner and the Fullmoon Festival following it.

"I can probably get us access to the lower levels without too much suspicion," Davin said. "I've been doing some research of my own down there recently."

Aric raised an eyebrow at that but didn't press for details—yet. They'd have time enough to swap stories once this was done.

Once they'd finalized the last of their preparations, Aric reached out and gripped Davin's shoulder. The touch broughtDavin's gaze up to his, a mix of vulnerability and yearning there that twisted Aric's heart.

"Aric—" Davin started, voice cracking.

"Dav," Aric replied, equally quiet. Once, there might have been countless things he wanted to say, to promise—but he couldn't; not while their worlds seemed poised to crumble around them.

They stood like that for what felt like ages—Aric drowning in those verdant depths as regret sliced through him. He'd never meant to hurt Davin, or string him along with hints of what might have been, if things had been different.

If he were different.

But the secrets wrapped around him like chains—memories of another pair of eyes that had pierced him just as deeply; a touch that still lingered on his skin even after all these years apart.

He squeezed Davin's shoulder once, fiercely, before releasing him. "Whatever happens tonight," Aric said, "thank you."

Davin managed a wry smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Save it for after we pull this off. We're not done yet."

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