“It’s tempting.” Vi rose to her feet.
“You won’t make it out alive.”
“So I gathered. It’s still tempting.” Vi gave him a mad grin. Perhaps she was mad for talking to him the way she was. But Vi had seen the death that was coming for her, and knew she wouldn’t die here.
“Do you wonder why you’re not dead yet?”
She doubted he’d believe her if she said she knew it was because she was currently fated to die fighting Raspian with the scythe he had his filthy hands all over. “I have the distinct feeling you’re about to tell me.”
Ulvarth lifted the scythe before slamming it down on the dais. The low thud was a cue and, on command, Taavin emerged from behind the throne. He wore the same finery she’d seen him in on the litter—gold and white. They were the Solaris Imperial colors as well, and for half of a second her treacherous mind wondered what he would look like as a Solaris Emperor, ruling at her side.
But now was certainly not the time or place to indulge such fantasies.
Especially not when her and her father’s survival was up for debate.
“Our Voice has told me something most interesting,” Ulvarth started. Vi didn’t miss the hint of annoyance already in his voice. “He has told me that you are Yargen’s new Champion, destined to defend the light against the coming darkness.”
“And yet your men honor you with the title.” Vi arched her dark eyebrows. Ulvarth’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“You.” Ulvarth’s eye twitched. “The divine choseyou. A small girl from the Dark Isle. The daughter of the man and woman who wounded Yargen so—who went against her will and acted in favor of the dark god.”
Vi pressed her lips together and kept her mouth shut. He hadn’t asked her a question and she didn’t feel like indulging his chatter. She glanced over to Taavin, but he had yet to make eye contact with her. Wherever he was mentally, it was a world away.
“What can you possibly do?” Ulvarth grumbled. Vi didn’t have a good answer, but once more, he wasn’t looking for one. Ulvarth adjusted his seat, narrowly avoiding a position that would make his sulking even more obvious. “It’s no matter… you’re here now.”
“You said you had a deal for me.” Vi had no interest in his pity party over not being chosen as Yargen’s Champion. She suspected if he really knew the trimmings the job came with, he’d be happier without it. He was just another man who wanted power and none of the responsibility attached. Vi had dealt with men like him her whole life—she called them Senators.
“I do. You see, Vi Solaris, I am not a man without mercy. I would be willing to send you and your father back to your forgotten rock on one of the Sword’s fastest vessels.”
“What would you want in return for such a kindness?”
“The Voice has assured me that, with your help as Champion, we will be able to rekindle the Flame of Yargen and return it to its former glory.”
Former glory? Rekindle? Taavin had said as much… But the flame she passed under looked incredibly glorious from where Vi stood.
“If the Faithful have any hope to make it through the dark age Lord Raspian will usher in, we shall need her barrier, at the least. Yet the flame is so weak, it can barely protect this temple—let alone all of Risen.”
Vi gave a small nod. She heard his words but didn’t fully understand them. Yet she had the distinct feeling Ulvarth was the sort of man who didn’t appreciate questions.
“Should you rekindle the flame for me, and commit to eternal silence on the role your family played in weakening it in the first place, I shall let you and your father return to your isle and do… whatever it is you do on that desolate rock.”
“And my role as Champion?” Vi glanced at Taavin. He was still avoiding looking at her. This had to be some kind of plan he’d put together… right?
“I think you meanmyrole as Champion.” Ulvarth gripped the scythe tighter, as though that alone distinguished him as the Champion.
“I see…” Vi said. He saw the crystal weapon as a trophy. Even if he knew it could be used to stand against Raspian, Vi doubted he would. All he wanted was the flame rekindled and a barrier around Risen—the rest of the world be damned. Taavin had kept information from Ulvarth and that meant she had to trust him and play along. “In the meantime, while I rekindle the flame and keep my silence, you’ll keep my father safe?”
“No harm shall come to him while he awaits trial for his crimes.”
“My father committed no crimes against you or your lands. This is the first time he’s ever stepped foot on them.” Vi shifted her wrists, trying to adjust the pressure of the shackles. Her blood slowly dripped on the floor from where the iron had cut into her flesh on the long walk.
“Your father allowed Raspian to return to this world.”
Vi expected him to seem more upset about such a truth, but he delivered the line with the same concern one might reserve for reporting the weather. That was proof enough that he was lying. Ulvarth knew it wasn’t entirely because of her father that Raspian had returned. This was all just a game.
Think like him.
Something was wrong with the flame of Yargen, and Ulvarth couldn’t fix it—not without her help. The man likely hated the notion of “lowering himself” to asking someone from the Dark Isle for help. If she succeeded, and he sent her away… he planned to take the credit.
