Chapter 50 Cage Your Problems #2
She crossed to me immediately, her hands finding mine.
The contact sent warmth through me, chasing back the cold that had been settling deeper into my bones over the past few days.
I caught her face between my palms, needing the contact more than I wanted to admit.
For just a heartbeat, I pressed my forehead to hers—a brief surrender before the mask had to go back on.
She placed her hands on my chest and breathed deeply, her fingers curling into the fabric of my coat. When I pulled back enough to see her face, her eyes were too bright, tears threatening to spill over lashes that trembled with the effort of holding them back.
Her gaze traced over my features with an intensity that made my chest tighten, as if she was trying to memorize every detail. Or perhaps seeing me differently than she had before.
One of her hands moved from my chest to my jaw, her thumb brushing across my beard with devastating gentleness.
The touch carried weight I couldn’t quite name—not pity, thank the gods, but something that made the Shadow King’s presence recoil slightly, as if even that ancient evil recognized it had no place in this moment.
Her breath hitched, and a single tear escaped, tracking down her cheek. She didn’t wipe it away. Neither did I. We just stood there, her hands on me like she could hold me together through sheer will, my forehead still pressed to hers while the world continued its chaos around us.
Whatever she was feeling, it was there in the trembling of her fingers, in the fierce protectiveness radiating from every line of her body. In the way she looked at me like I was precious and breakable, even as I held her face between palms that had killed more people than I could count.
She opened her mouth as if to speak, then closed it again. Finally, she glanced between me and the bound Alchemist and cleared her throat.
“Why is the Alchemist here?” she whispered.
“A lot’s happened.” I brushed my thumb across her cheekbone, catching that stray tear. “Are you hurt?”
“No, but—” She frowned, clearly reading my emotional state. “We need to talk.”
“We do. After I get our guest settled.” I forced myself to step back, to remember we had an audience.
The Alchemist’s attention had sharpened, their masked gaze studying us with careful interest. But they remained silent, just watching.
Sebastian came up behind Arabella, as if he’d made it his goal to follow her around like a puppy.
“Lord Sebastian.” I inclined my head. “Thank you for accompanying my wife.”
He blinked. “I… of course. Though she didn’t really need—”
“Yes, I’m aware she’s perfectly capable.” I cut him off. “But intention matters. You went after her when it counted. That’s worth acknowledging.”
Sebastian stared at me like I’d grown a second head. Which, given recent events, wasn’t entirely outside the realm of possibility.
I considered him. Sebastian was annoying as hell, but he wasn’t a coward.
He was just… good, and I found it weird that Sebastian would even want to be associated with the Dark Lord.
Unlike when Arabella came to me and indulged her darker tendencies, Sebastian wasn’t remotely swayed by my darkness or seeking it for himself at all.
Perhaps we needed a different perspective at Skyspire, from someone who’d proven himself trustworthy. Our allies were becoming scarce.
“You’re welcome to extend your stay,” I continued somewhat reluctantly. “Your assistance with gathering the bloodlines has been… valuable.”
“I…” He glanced at Arabella, then back at me. “Thank you?”
It came out as a question, which was fair. Good people always seemed confused when I didn’t immediately murder them.
“Kaz.” Arabella’s voice held amusement. “Are you formally inviting Sebastian to join your inner circle?”
The Alchemist made a muffled sound that might have been a laugh.
“Right. Dungeons.” I grabbed their shoulder. “Vex!”
Vex materialized from inside the dungeons with her usual impeccable timing. I had no idea how she’d ended up there. Her gaze flicked to Arabella, lingering a fraction too long. Her shoulders dropped—barely perceptible, but I’d known her long enough to recognize the release of tension.
I’d thrown Zaraiah’s attack at her like a blade, sharp and meant to cut. A rebuke for not being there. But Vex cared for Arabella too, and I’d just told her the woman she’d sworn to protect had been ambushed while she played referee to feuding nobles.
“Ensure Lord Sebastian gets appropriate quarters within the Inner Sanctum. Near Griffin’s laboratory, perhaps.”
Vex straightened. “Of course, my lord. I’m sure Griffin will be delighted to have a neighbor.”
Sebastian’s face flushed. “That’s really not—”
“And congratulations, Lord Sebastian,” Vex said. “It seems you’re now part of the family business.”
“Family business?”
“Chaos, destruction, and the occasional world-altering magical event.” Vex’s joke came out forced, but she managed a grin.
Sebastian looked between all of us, probably wondering what he’d gotten himself into.
“Don’t worry,” Arabella said, patting his shoulder. “You get used to it. Eventually.”
The Alchemist shifted their weight and made another muffled comment.
“Yes, yes, we’re all very impressed by your patience.” I gave them a nudge toward the dungeon entrance. “Now come along. We have a cell with your name on it.”
As we moved toward the entrance, I felt Arabella’s gaze on my back. Soon, I’d tell her everything. But first, I needed to secure the Alchemist and ensure this particular secret stayed contained.
I never tired of bringing a new prisoner to the dungeons. Some joys were timeless.