Chapter Twenty-six
Ty
Ty closed the door behind him, leaving his heart bloodied and still on the floor of his room. It was dead. It was gone. He’d all but felt it rip from his chest when Ena said she couldn’t be his anymore.
But he didn’t blame her. He only blamed himself.
Because he had failed to protect her. He’d listened to Cole and let himself be manipulated into leaving. He had abandoned her—again—and for that fact alone, he would never forgive himself. So why should she? There was no way he deserved to be with her after that.
And yes, he was furious at Cole and Iblis and the entire damned Underworld for dooming their relationship, but the worst part was, he understood.
He understood everything she’d said to his very core.
Because even if none of this had ever happened, he could never be what she needed.
He couldn’t keep her safe and be the heir that he needed to be for his people, to keep them safe, at the same time.
And as much as he hated that fact—loathed it with his entire being, actually—he realized now that no matter how long he had spent denying it, it didn’t change a thing.
He was the heir to the Underworld. Tiptoeing around it and pretending that it wasn’t the case hadn’t allowed him to keep her. He’d brought this on himself.
Ty wanted to rage. He wanted to fucking beat the absolute shit out of something, but his knuckles still throbbed from where he’d punched the cave wall earlier, and he physically couldn’t handle more of that.
And besides, Ena might not be his anymore, but she still needed him. He may have failed to protect her, but he wouldn’t keep putting her in danger now.
They needed to leave as soon as possible.
Ty took several long strides down the passageway when he saw Lara coming towards him, carrying the broth she had promised in her hands.
“Is everything okay?” she asked, her eyes filling with concern as they landed on him. His face must have looked just as grave as he felt inside. “Is Ena alright?”
“She’s fine. I—I just need to go get Turner and Steig. Will you stay with her?” Ty’s voice came out strained and thick, so he cleared his throat, but it didn’t help. Lara was too quick.
“Ty, what happened?” she asked, her voice serious.
“Not now,” Ty said. He couldn’t talk about it right now.
Iblis, he could barely even think right now, and he had things he needed to do.
“Just…stay with her. Please?” His voice cracked on the last word, and he sounded pitiful even to his own ears, but Lara just nodded and didn’t ask any more questions, carrying on down the passageway towards Ty’s room.
First things first, he needed to get Turner and Steig, so he walked towards the king’s kitchen, killing two birds with one stone, and asked an imperi to deliver a message to each of them, telling them to meet back at Ty’s room as soon as possible.
After discussing his need for provisions with the head cook, explaining that he’d been sent on a last-minute mission from Cole, he went to Myka and did the same. He didn’t like lying to them, but it was the safest thing for them if Cole were to try and blame them for aiding in his escape.
Nial would be a bit trickier, though.
Ty decided he couldn’t leave Nial in possession of the books from Petyr. Iblis only knew what kind of rampage Cole would go on once he was gone, so he needed to protect those who’d helped him.
He found the old man stacking books in the far corner of the Archives. Nial’s head swiveled to greet him, and a kindly smile lit up his face as Ty approached.
“Ah, Ty, what brings you here this time of night?” he asked.
“I, uh, need my private reserves,” Ty replied, looking around to ensure they were alone, but the Archives were quiet as a grave.
“Of course,” he said, seeming unperturbed by the late request. “I’ll be right back,” he added as he shuffled off to fetch the books.
When he returned, he handed the sack containing them to Ty.
“A bit late for reading, isn’t it?” Nial asked, his voice solemn and pointed.
Ty gave the old man a sad smile. This was one man he couldn’t fully hide the truth from. Not anymore. “I’m not planning to read them right now,” Ty said seriously. “I’m going away.”
The man’s face fell as he nodded his understanding. He seemed saddened by the news but not surprised. It was as if he’d seen this coming. “I see,” he said. “Well, I guess this is goodbye for now, then.”
Ty nodded. “Thank you, Nial, for everything.”
Nial shook his head. “I’ve done barely a thing, and it was my pleasure.”
Ty gave a tight-lipped smile before turning to leave, but the man stopped him.
“Oh, and Ty?” the old man began. “You’re doing the right thing. Everyone here will see that one day. There’s no doubt in my mind—you’re the king we need.”
Ty felt all at once a relief and a crushing weight settle upon him. Did Nial somehow know what he was up to?
He stared at the man, trying to discern his meaning, but there was no time to ask those questions now. He needed to leave.
“I hope so,” was all Ty said, feeling the pressure of his position more acutely than ever as he turned and left the Archives.
***
After tending to the last few necessary preparations, Ty returned to his room to find Steig and Turner already waiting inside with Lara and Ena.
They turned to him as he entered, but it was clear from the readiness in their faces that they’d already guessed why he’d summoned them.
“Thanks for coming so quickly,” he said to his friends, avoiding looking at Ena where she sat on the bed. He couldn’t handle that right now. “I couldn’t explain in my message, but you’ve probably already guessed. It’s time for us to leave.”
“What did Cole say?” Steig asked, his dark brow furrowed as he crossed his arms.
“He’s suspicious. He doesn’t exactly know about the amulet, but he thinks I’m somehow using Ena to make a play for the throne.”
“Paranoid bastard,” Turner muttered, rolling his eyes. “Though I guess he’s not that paranoid,” he added, rubbing his chin. “We are trying to quietly overthrow him, just not that way.”
“Exactly,” Ty replied. “He’s too close to the truth. That’s why it’s not safe for us here anymore, especially not for Ena.” He’d been working hard to avoid looking at her and to keep his voice strong and steady, but he locked eyes with her now.
Her color had returned slightly, most likely thanks to the broth, but he didn’t let his eyes linger on her injuries. Every second they did made him want to flay the skin from his own body just to dull the pain and regret inside him.
“Luckily, Ena figured out the remaining parts of the binding spell, so all we have to do now is recruit a witch from Aquilo and Occidens to do the spell, and we can reverse it.”
“What? Really?” Lara asked, her voice turning hopeful as she looked at Ena. “You figured it out?”
Ena nodded in affirmation, a small proud smile on her face.
“I don’t believe it,” Lara said, smiling in relief and looking at Ty with awe. “You’re actually going to break the bond.”
“Yes,” Ty assured her. “And that’s exactly why Ena and I need to leave as soon as possible, preferably tonight if she can handle it. But I know it’s sudden, and unsanctioned, so I won’t ask any of you to come. Things will be complicated with Cole after this, so—”
“You can stop your little martyr speech right there, you fucker. I’m coming with you,” Turner said, holding up his hand to stop Ty from speaking.
“Turner, are you sure?” Ty asked. “There will be repercussions for leaving the Underworld without his permission.”
“Nope, don’t care. Where else should your shadow be but by your side?” Turner asked, grinning teasingly.
Despite everything that had happened, Ty smiled, and a small warmth spread through him. He clapped his cousin on the shoulder, unable to adequately express the relief and gratitude he felt knowing he and Ena wouldn’t be alone in this. That he’d have his friend by his side too.
“Thank you, brother,” he said solemnly.
Then his eyes landed on Steig.
The man had been his best friend for almost twenty years; he could read him like a book. Underneath his grumpy and gruff exterior, the man was soft. He felt everything—too much sometimes—and right now, Ty could tell he felt conflicted as hell.
Steig looked over at Lara, who grabbed his hand and squeezed it before bringing it to her lips for a kiss. “It’s okay, Steig,” she said quietly, sadly. “We’ll be fine.”
He shook his head. “No, no,” he said, turning to Ty. “Ty, I’m sorry. You know I wish I could go with you, but I can’t leave my family. Not again. And as much as I want you to succeed, someone needs to be here. To protect those you’re leaving behind.”
Ty could hear the strain in his voice and see the conflict on his face.
The two of them had always done everything together, for as long as he could remember.
But as much as he wanted his best friend by his side, the man was right.
Those they were leaving behind, like Lara and the kids, Nial, Myka—anyone who was loyal to Ty—were vulnerable to Cole, and someone needed to stay behind to protect them.
He looked his friend in the eye as he grasped his shoulder firmly. “I understand, Steig. That’s the right call.”
Steig looked relieved and grasped him back, pulling him into a hug.
The two of them embraced, and Ty tried not to think about what this meant—that he was saying goodbye and didn’t know when he’d be able to return.
He clasped his friend harder to him—hoping he knew without words what he meant to him, and how hard it was to part ways.
When they finally released each other, Ty turned to Lara.
“Keep each other and the kids safe, okay?”
Lara nodded and gave him a reassuring smile before grasping her husband’s hand once more. If there was anyone Ty trusted to see through Cole’s manipulations and keep him in check, it was Lara. She’d been dealing with the bastard her whole life.
“I’ve made preparations for us to leave under the cover of night once the timekeepers come. Ena,” he said, addressing her for the first time, all businesslike. There was no room for anything else right now. “Do you think you’re up for it?”
She shifted slightly where she sat on the bed, pushing herself up. “I have to be,” she said. “I don’t want to stay here.”
Her voice was firm. It was clear her decision was made, and Ty didn’t fault her. Everything that had happened, everything he’d let happen, had clearly traumatized her, and the thought of that brought another wave of crushing grief through him.
“Okay,” he said, nodding confidently, as if his heart wasn’t shattered. “Then we’ll pack and leave in an hour. Turner—meet us at the entrance.”
The man nodded before approaching Steig and pulling him in for a hug, too, followed by Lara. “Stay safe and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” he said to them, winking.
Lara snorted. “Can’t promise that. You’d never fuck my husband,” she said lightly.
Turner laughed, pulling her in tighter.
When they finally released each other, Turner took his leave, followed by Steig, who insisted he needed to get back to the kids. Lara stayed a bit longer to help Ena get in the bath and wash away whatever blood still remained, before checking her bandages and helping her pack a bag.
Ty packed his own bags, fitting his weapons and books in with his clothes and travel supplies as efficiently as possible. He really didn’t know how long he’d be gone, so it was hard to prepare.
But there was one final thing they couldn’t forget.
Digging into the trunk at the foot of his bed, he pulled out the wooden box, locked with Ena’s magic, that contained the amulet. Walking over to where Ena stood, somewhat shakily, folding her clothing, he handed it to her.
“Figured you should keep this with you,” he said.
“Okay,” she said, taking the box from him and slipping it into her bag.
She avoided eye contact, but he couldn’t tell if she was just tired, or still angry, or sad, or what.
He wanted to ask her how she was feeling.
Was she okay? Was she dying inside like him?
Did every breath of hers hurt too? But he didn’t think he should do that—she’d told him it was over, and he needed to respect that.
Just then, the door cracked open as a timekeeper walked in, their large black hood obscuring their features. Ignoring Ena and Ty, as was the custom, they one by one extinguished the darkrock lanterns that lined the walls, slowly darkening the room until only one remained.
“Not that one please,” Ty requested. “I still have some things to attend to.”
The timekeeper nodded their head solemnly before exiting the room.
Ty turned to Ena. “One more thing before we go,” he said as he approached her cautiously. “Let’s get this collar off you.”
Ena looked down at her imperae collar, stroking it gently with her fingers as if she’d forgotten it was there.
Ty reached up behind her neck, pulling the pliant metal apart and sliding it forward off her delicate neck. Her pale skin was still mottled with bruising, and he had to swallow the rage that bubbled in him at the sight.
He put the collar down on the table and turned to her once more. “Ready?” he asked.
“Always,” she said, determination filling her eyes.
There’s my viper, he thought, the sentiment automatic. But with a heart-wrenching jolt, he had to remind himself that she wasn’t his anything anymore.