Page 243 of The Ascended
To have an after.
"You're asking me to gamble the entire resistance on two unknown twins." Morthus's voice cut through the moment. "If they betray us, if they're discovered, everything we've built over centuries crumbles."
"When has great change ever come without great risk?" Osythe countered. "Besides, look at her, Morthus. You've always been a good judge of character. Do you see betrayal in her, or do you see someone who would burn the world for family?"
The Lord of Death studied me for a long moment, and I felt the weight of judgment far beyond my years pressing down.
Finally, he spoke. "If your brother wants to prove his loyalty to our cause, he will not pledge himself to my domain after ascension. He will pledge himself to Sundralis. He will take residence in the Golden City." Morthus's words fell heavy and final. "He will kneel before Olinthar and swear fealty."
"You want him to—" I couldn't finish, the very thought choking me.
"I want him to be believable. Olinthar will expect him to choose power—Sundralis represents that. This way, Thatcher is exactly where we need him. Trusted. Watched, yes, but inside the very heart of Olinthar's power."
"That's..." I struggled for words.
"Necessary," Morthus corrected. "I will speak with Vorinar and ensure his safety in the final trial—I give my word on that. But I need confirmation from him. A blood oath to our cause."
"A blood oath?" I questioned.
"Non-negotiable," Morthus murmured. "He binds himself to theresistance before he ascends, before he gains his full power, or the protection is withdrawn."
"You're asking him to swear his life to your cause without ever having met you," I protested.
"I'm offering him life instead of death," Morthus replied. "And a chance to be a part of Olinthar’s downfall. The terms are more than fair."
I looked between them. The weight of my brother's life pressed down on my shoulders.
"I'll get him on board," I said finally.
"You sound very certain," Morthus observed.
"I know my brother. When he understands what's at stake—what you're offering—he'll agree. If you're being truthful when you speak of change, I can't think of anything we would agree with more. It's all we've wanted."
"Then we have an accord." Morthus moved back toward his throne. "Your brother is under my protection for the final trial. No harm will come to him from our forces." Morthus paused, cocking his head to the side. "And the last thing—it must be I who takes the life of Olinthar when the time comes."
The words stole the last thing I was still clutching. That single shared look between Thatcher and me at the Choosing—the silent promise that we'd find a way, that we'd make Olinthar pay. It was the only thing that kept me grounded through all of this insanity. The one truth I could hold onto while everything else spiraled out of control. And now even that was being negotiated away. I wanted to scream. Wanted to tell Morthus he had no right to claim our vengeance. But Thatcher's life was on the line.
"I understand," I finally said.
Osythe approached me, her hand briefly touching my shoulder. "You've shown remarkable courage coming here tonight. That alone has earned you this chance. Don't waste it."
"You may leave, child," Morthus said, settling back onto histhrone. "But remember—you now carry secrets that cannot be unlearned. Your life is bound to your silence. Both of your lives."
I nodded. A part of me wondered why he didn’t demand a blood oath from me today. Clearly, I wasn’t a threat in the way that Thatcher was.
As Xül led me toward the doors, Morthus's voice followed us. "Oh, and Miss Morvaren? The next time you wish to quote my son's words back to me, ensure you understand their full context. Vivros wasn't saved, after all. Not in the end."
The doors closed on that cheerful thought, leaving Xül and me alone in the corridor. I walked past without looking at him. I couldn’t.
"Thais."
I kept walking.
In a blur of movement, he was in front of me, his hand braced against the wall, blocking my path. "Don't walk away from me. Not now."
"Move."
"No." His other hand found the wall on my other side, caging me in. "Not until you look at me."
