Page 61 of The Ascended
Marx agreed with a shrug. "Didn't though. And now we're all still breathing instead of decorating the forest floor."
"You’re not going to make it to the Trials if you continue to behave like this, Marxene."
Her eyes narrowed. “Don’t call me that.” She pushed away from the tree, apparently recovered from whatever toll her magic had taken. "We had a problem. I solved it. Everyone survived. What more do you want?"
Aelix ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident in every line of his body.
Marx started walking back toward the castle, leaving us to follow in her wake. But I caught the way her hand trembled as she brushed a stray lock of hair from her face.
"Is she always like that?" I asked Aelix quietly as we fell into step behind her.
"Unfortunately." His voice carried a hint of admiration. "Marx doesn't just risk her life—she gambles with it."
I watched her moving through the shadows ahead of us, silent and graceful. "What’s her deal?"
Aelix was quiet for a long moment. "Her story to tell," he said finally. "She certainly hasn’t explained any of it to me."
We walked in comfortable silence for a while, the castle's lights growing brighter through the trees.
"Can I ask you something?" I said eventually.
"Depends on the question." He smiled.
"Why do you even know this stuff? Tracking, survival skills. Why would you need to learn how to read animal tracks or move quietly through a forest?"
Aelix's laugh was warm, genuine. "Honestly? Because I enjoy it. It's a hobby of mine—always has been. There's something satisfying about tracking prey, matching wits with creatures that don't want to be found." He gestured to the forest around us. "I could simply feel the location of any animal in this wood, but where's the fun in that? The challenge is in the pursuit. Divine senses be damned."
I frowned, trying to understand. "But you could just... know where everything is. Instantly."
"I could," he agreed, raking his hand across the bark of a tree. "Sometimes the mortal way of doing things is more rewarding than the divine shortcut." He continued on, brushing dirt from his hands. "It has a purity to it, I suppose."
I nodded. "It's strange, thinking of the Aesymar having hobbies."
"We're not so different from mortals in some ways." Aelix glanced toward the castle, where warm light spilled from the dining hall windows. "We have interests, passions, relationships that shape us."
The way he said it made me curious. "You've known Xül a long time?"
"Since we were children, actually." Fondness flickered across his features before disappearing. "We grew up together here in Draknavor. My parents serve as counsel to Morthus, so we became close at a young age."
I waited, sensing there was more he wanted to say.
"Xül wasn't always like this," Aelix said finally. "When we were young, he was... different. Although he was always far more fascinated with research and books than experiencing the world around us."
"Ah, so that’s why he’s such a pompous ass."
He laughed. “I’d be careful speaking so candidly.”
“I’m likely dying either way.” I shrugged. “Why stifle it?”
“I suppose that’s a fair point. And I will admit, it’s refreshing seeing him unnerved by your boldness.”
“He loathes me.” I sighed, kicking a loose rock. “And the feeling is mutual.”
Aelix was quiet for a while—so long, I wondered if the conversation was over. "He hasn’t had the easiest go at it. Growing up a mortal in Voldaris was rather… difficult. At times."
"I’m sure being a prince wasverytaxing."
"Kids are cruel. Even more so when they’re divine."
