Chapter 43
forty-three
It had been less than a full day since we’d last spoken, but it was hard to know exactly. With the sky taking on the lightless, gray hue of the dead of winter, I could hardly tell when it was day or night. The nights were never dark enough, and the days were a dull gloom.
Sleeping was nearly impossible, so I spent my time memorizing the words behind the mirror and watching for any stray shadows, being certain I did it in secret. If he knew my true plans, he’d never let me go.
But one way or another, I would end this.
This time, Aelen was the one calling me. I could tell it was him because my hand stung with the burn of need.
Following the trail wasn’t difficult. I went where the throbbing lumen in my chest led me. Finding him was more an instinct.
It led me to the front of the palace, by the foreboding doors twice my size, that were now frozen shut. I didn’t know how I knew, but I did.
It was time to go.
The palace entry hall was devoid of people when I found my way to his side. He paced, his nose buried in some ancient, leather-bound tome.
“You called?”
He snapped the book shut and replaced it on a shelf out of sight. “Indeed.”
“What was that?
“Some book from my childhood. A journal.”
I tried to close the distance between us. “That thing looks a thousand years old. Just how old are you?”
He adjusted his robes, fixing the sterling buttons. “Very.”
My heart jumped to my throat, and I tried to swallow but found my mouth parched. “Then why do you love me?” It spilled from me. I shouldn’t ask such questions, but it had knotted in my guts since our first kiss.
Centuries your elder, he said. Why would a centuries-old being love me?
He gave me an icy glare. “You know very well why I love you.”
“But you could have loved another I’phri woman, they would be a better match—”
“No one could be a better match than yourself. And I wouldn’t dare do to an I’phri woman what my father did.” He cleared his throat and shuffled, clearly uncomfortable.
“Oh—I’m sorry.”
He waved me off. “It’s alright. Besides, to them, I see myself as more of a father.
I’m meant to guide them. You, I see more as an…
” He trailed off and gazed at the ancient walls.
“Equal.” He punctuated it with a finality that settled into me.
As if he would consider nothing else and no other options.
That stung. It shouldn’t have, but it did, for I’d be going against his wishes in a few hours’ time. His direct orders.
“With my foolish, mortal desires out of the way,” he said suddenly, “we can focus on why I summoned you. It’s time you left to cleave the pact.”
My heart sank. It fell to my feet, where I stared. The dusty room was stiflingly small and warm. The dark stone walls seemed to close in on us.
I loved him. I knew I loved him like I knew I needed air. I’d just gotten him back, returned to what we used to be—but what I’d have to do was unbearably heavy. My throat tightened, as if the world grasped it with its long, bony fingers and squeezed my life away.
Because I wouldn’t flee. I’d go to Ovatar. Draw him out. And make Aelen face him once more.
“Are you ready?” he asked, pointing to the frozen doors. “I’d love to stay and speak, but every minute that passes…”
Is another minute gone, and one closer to the world’s eternal death.