Page 64 of Sundered By Fate

"It was never supposed to go that far." Sylthris frowned, genuine concern creeping into her voice. "I can keep an eye on him where Zaxos took him, and intervene when needed, as needed."

Aric bristled at her nonchalant tone. "Why should I trust you?" he demanded.

"You must trust me—for now," Sylthris said evenly. "You've seen the Sovereign's suspicions are boundless; if I move rashly, we lose everything."

Aric's shoulders sagged with frustration and helplessness. "You're asking me to put my faith in someone who's deceived me more times than I can count."

"And you've disappointed me yet again. Are you really so ignorant of the conspiracies at play?" Sylthris cocked her head.

An angry flush lit Aric's face even hotter as he recalled his abrupt awakening to palace guards barging into his rooms not long ago with suspicious stares—but he couldn't give way to Sylthris over that fact just yet.

Sylthris fixed him with those unsettling eyes. "We've reached a turning point for all of us," she continued softly. "When the time comes—and it will come soon—I need your cooperation to ensure we all come out ahead from this tangle."

Aric's pulse raced with a thousand unspoken questions. What had they done to Malekith in that wretched chamber? What horrors had he endured at their hands? And what did Sylthris mean by 'helping' him?

"What are you planning?" he demanded, taking another step forward. "What are they doing to him? Tell me!"

Sylthris's expression shifted, her inscrutable mask slipping ever so slightly. "Patience, Aric. All will be revealed in time."

"Dammit, Sylthris!" Aric slammed a fist into the wall, the stone shuddering under the impact. "Don't you toy with me—I won't let you use him?—"

Sylthris caught his wrist in an iron grip, her eyes flashing with something fierce and unyielding. "I'm not the one you should fear, Solarian."

Aric stilled under her touch, icy dread running down his spine. Sylthris was many things—a liar, a manipulator, a killer—but for all her faults, she was no sadist. If she was genuinely afraid of whatever scheme was in motion, then they were all in deep trouble.

"Then tell me," Aric said quietly. "Please."

Sylthris's hold on him softened, her thumb brushing over the back of his hand. For a heartbeat, Aric almost thought she might relent.

But then the mask fell back into place. Sylthris released him and stepped away, her eyes veiled once more.

"All in good time," she said.

Aric hesitated, anger and confusion warring within him. "You want me to help you hurt him," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "To play some role in this sick game of yours."

Sylthris's smile was sharp and humorless. "I want you to save him."

The words hung between them like a fragile thread, a lifeline that threatened to snap at the slightest provocation.

"I don't believe you," Aric said, shaking his head. "You've lied to us before. You used me, used him?—"

"And I'm not asking you to believe me now," Sylthris said, her eyes boring into his. "I'm asking you to see the truth for yourself. Look at what's happening in Astaria—at the anomalies tearing our worlds apart."

Aric flinched at the mention of Astaria, the memories of his home coming unbidden. The city he had sworn to protect, now a battleground for forces beyond his understanding.

"What do you know of Valerian's research?" Aric demanded, his suspicions hardening into certainty. "His so-called research to save humanity from demonic influence."

Sylthris's expression remained unchanged, but Aric thought he saw a flicker of something in her eyes. Surprise? Concern?

"I know that he's dabbling in forces he cannot hope to control," Sylthris said finally. "Forces that will tear your realm apart if left unchecked."

A chill ran down Aric's spine at her words. But before he could question her further, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed down the hallway.

"Go," Sylthris hissed, and in a blink, she melted back into the shadows.

Aric barely had time to register her absence before a patrol of Pureblade soldiers rounded the corner. Leading them was Cyrus Revenant, his gaunt face drawn tight with suspicion.

"Who were you talking to?" Cyrus demanded, his voice echoing through the corridor.

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