Chapter 22 Silver #2
“And now he’s out there thinking I betrayed him,” I continued, my voice dropping to barely above a whisper.
“He thinks I was just using him, that I never really loved him. And every second I stand here arguing with you is another second he’s running, hurting, putting himself in danger because I was too much of a coward to tell him the truth about who I am. ”
I looked down at my hands, watching the purple energy crackle between my fingers.
“So, you can drag me back to the Twilight Realm if you want. You can sever the bond, force me to marry whoever you’ve chosen, turn me into the perfect heir you’ve always wanted.
But I’m telling you right now, it won’t work.
Because even if you rip the bond away, even if you erase every memory I have of him, I will spend the rest of my life knowing that I let the person I love suffer alone because I was too afraid to fight for him. ”
The silence that followed was deafening. I could hear the magical sirens still wailing outside, could feel Professor Blackwood’s eyes on me, could sense Confiance’s careful assessment. But all I cared about was my father’s reaction.
King Erestolal stood there for what felt like an eternity, his silver eyes locked on mine. Then, slowly, he let out a long breath and his shoulders sagged slightly.
“Your pleas do not fall upon a heart of stone,” he said softly. Then he lifted his hand, pressing a single finger to my forehead. “But if we are to avoid war, there is no other way.”
There was a soft burst of purple magic and I felt all my limbs go slack. Before I hit the ground, the royal guards caught me. Inside my mind I screamed with fury, cursed my father with every word in every language I could think of. But outside I was limp, only tears softly streaming down my cheeks.
I couldn’t move. Couldn’t speak. Couldn’t do anything but watch helplessly as my father gave orders to his guards like I was cargo to be transported rather than his son.
“Take him through the portal,” my father commanded. “Have the physicians prepare the severance ritual. We’ll need to move quickly before the bond becomes too entrenched.”
NO. The word screamed through my mind, but my mouth wouldn’t cooperate.
The paralysis spell held me completely, turning me into a prisoner in my own body.
Through the mate bond, I could still feel Ash and his pain, his fear, the way he was running further and further away with each shadow.
The distance between us was growing, and with it came a physical ache that made me want to vomit.
“Your Majesty, please reconsider,” Professor Blackwood said, her voice urgent. “The magical feedback from forcing a severance could—”
“I am well aware of the risks,” my father interrupted coldly.
“But the alternative is allowing my heir to be bound to a shadow witch who can walk through the very barriers that protect our realm. Not to mention, if Silver does not marry the wife we have chosen, my kingdom will be drowned in the blood of its own people.”
My father’s gaze shifted to me, and for just a moment, I saw something that might have been regret flash across his face.
“Like the mortal realm, this shadow witch cannot be trusted. As soon as we are through, I will begin destroying the final link between the Twilight Realm and the mortal world.” He turned his gaze to Confiance.
“You will not be hearing from me again.”
Captain Vex and Lieutenant Mora lifted me between them, carrying me toward the shimmering portal.
I struggled against the paralysis with everything I had, pouring my twilight magic into breaking free, but my father’s spell was too strong.
All I could do was watch as they dragged me away from the only chance I had to make things right with Ash.
“Wait!” Confiance’s voice rang out, sharp with authority. “King Erestolal, as an Elder of the Council, I must formally object to this course of action.”
My father turned slowly, his expression dangerous. “You presume to tell me how to manage my own kingdom?”
“I presume to prevent a catastrophic magical disaster,” Confiance replied, standing her ground.
“The bond between your son and Mr. Vale isn’t just a mate bond.
It’s been amplified by a true love spell cast when Mr. Vale was only twelve years old.
The two magics have intertwined so completely that severing them could create a magical explosion powerful enough to level this entire campus. ”
That made my father pause. I saw his jaw tighten, saw the way his fingers drummed against his thigh. It was a tell he’d never quite managed to eliminate despite centuries of practice.
“How certain are you of this?” he asked finally.
“I performed the examination myself,” she replied. “There is no doubt. But I can guarantee, if you forcefully sever the ties between the realms and the bond these two possess, it could destroy much more than an alliance between you and your future daughter-in-law’s family.”
My father paused for only a moment. “Three days. That’s all you have. The Elder Council will deliver the shadow witch to me, and he will sever the bond willingly at any cost. If you fail to do this, I will close the gates forever, to hell with the consequences.”
Turning on his heel, he stepped through the portal as it slammed shut behind him.
The moment it was gone, the room around me came into focus.
I was home, in the foyer of the castle. And there, at the bottom of the stairs, was Caldwell, a single tear falling down his cheek as he watched me carried away to my room.