Page 78 of Sundered By Fate

"You want to be trusted?" Aric said. "Then show us your face."

The words sliced through the council room, silencing the courtiers' ceaseless arguing. Yhe king's advisers turned towards him, the judgment in their stares as thick as the heavy perfume of the room.

King Aster's eyes narrowed, and the shadows seemed to swirl around his head like a crown. "What are you implying, Aric Solarian?"

Aric straightened, trying to muster all the authority he could. "Your Majesty, I?—"

But as he met Aster's gaze, Aric hesitated. The king's violet eyes were like twin voids, drawing him in, promising to devour him whole.

Aric took a step back, his heart hammering in his chest. "You're not—you can't be?—"

"Aric," Valerian said, an unmistakable warning in his tone.

Aric's heart clenched at the sound of his name on Valerian's lips, but he forced himself to focus. He'd been too caught up in his own emotions, too focused on Valerian's duplicity and Sylthris's games. He couldn't let himself be distracted, not now.

Aric dropped to one knee, lowering his head. "I beg your pardon, councilors. But my instincts tell me that the king is not who he claim to be."

The room fell deathly silent. The courtiers' stares bored into him, the tension thickening the air.

"I am the King of Astaria." Aster’s voice was solid and frigid as ice. "There is no need for you to question me."

Aric rose, his eyes locked on Aster's. "Then prove it. Show us your true face."

Aster's eyes widened, a glimmer of fear seeping through the haze of shadows. But it was gone as quickly as it had appeared, replaced by a cruel smile. "You are a foolish man, Aric Solarian. I have tolerated your insolence because of your supposed expertise in the matter of the demon incursion, but do not mistake my patience for weakness." His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "I will not hesitate to have you thrown in the dungeons alongside your former demon brethren."

The guards flanking Aric moved forward, hands on their sword hilts. Aric tensed, his muscles coiling, ready to fight or flee. But even if he could escape the palace, where would he go? The streets were a war zone, and he was running on nothing but instinct and adrenaline at this point.

His hand still gripped the back of his chair, and he forced himself to release it, to stand tall. He had to keep his wits about him, even while facing down the King himself.

The words of the dream echoed in his mind, a terrible inevitability. His mind raced, desperately grasping for options.

But then one of the guards grabbed his arm, his grip iron-strong. The Pureblade's voice was a low growl. "You will come with us."

Aric struggled, trying to wrench his arm free, but it was no use. The Pureblade's hand was unyielding, his fingers digging into Aric's flesh.

"Let me go?—"

The Pureblade's grip tightened, and Aric felt a sudden, sharp pressure against his wrist. There was a soft click, and then a cool, metal band clamped around his forearm.

Inhibitors.

The Pureblade released his hold on Aric, stepping back as the inhibitor took hold. Aric staggered, his head spinning as his magic was locked away. It was like a part of him had been sliced off, the connection severed, leaving him hollow and empty.

No. Not again. He couldn't lose it again.

The room spun; sweat cooled like ice as it traced down Aric's face, and his knees buckled. Oh, Light, he was becoming unmoored. Nothing was real any longer. Nothing was real?—

"Aric! Enough."

Valerian strode forward, his expression one of barely constrained fury. The courtiers fell silent, their deference to him evident.

"I don't know what warped delusions have taken hold of your mind, but you will cease this madness at once."

"Delusions?" Aric spat, the word tasting like ash. "I'm not the one who?—"

Valerian's hand shot out, grabbing Aric by the collar and pulling him close. Blue eyes locked onto Aric's with a cold, calculating gleam.

"You will do as you're told." Valerian’s voice fell to a menacing whisper. "Or I will ensure that you never see the light of day again."

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