“You’re not seriously considering killing the female,” Merrick’s glare was sharp enough to cut through bone.
“If she’s a threat, we might not have a choice.”
Merrick took a step forward, running a hand through his hair. “Stars, Ash. I don’t know who the fuck you are anymore.”
“What would you have me do?”
“I don’t know,” Merrick snapped. “How about telling Xyliria no?”
Ashterion laughed. Cold. Joyless. “Right. Becausethat’sgoing to end well. That’ll go overbrilliantlyfor all of us.”
The gemstone at the centre of Merrick’s forehead flared, a bright pulse of magic in tune with his temper. “It’s better than letting her break someone who didn’t ask to be dragged into this bullshit.”
Ashterion’s fists clenched and unclenched. The shadows at his feet writhed, but he inhaled through his nose, trying to stay level.
“She’s in Varyth’s court,” he said tightly. “Wearing his mark. A consort, likely. Do you really believe she’s innocent?”
Merrick softened. “I don’t know what I believe,” he said. “But once upon a time, we would’ve given her a chance. Especially if she’s found herself tied tohim.”
Ashterion sighed. He knew Merrick. Had always known him. The bleeding heart buried under all that scar tissue, the maddening, infuriating way he could look at a storm and ask if it could be reasoned with.
But Ashterion pushed it down, as he always did. Flattened the ache in his chest and let steel take its place.
“What’s your point, Merrick?” he asked.
Merrick gaped at him. “My—what the fuck do you mean’what’s my point?’” His voice cracked on the words. “Xyliria’s either going tobreakher, or you’re going tokillher, or what—she ends up back in that court? Withhim? Those are her options? Don’t you see howfucked upthat is?”
“I can’t run around protecting every fool who wanders into the path of Varyth or my wife.” Ashterion shifted, spine stiff. “I’ve told you I’ll do what I must.Yourpriority is the city. I can’tset foot there without raising suspicion, so do your fucking job. Go back. And let me handle thisas I see fit.”
Merrick looked ready to argue again. His mouth opened, but then the shadows surged. They flared from Ashterion’s feet, licking up the walls, casting the room in jagged darkness.
Merrick shut his mouth. Spun on his heel. And stormed out.
Ashterion didn’t move until the echo of his footsteps had long faded.
Only then did he exhale and lean back against the wall, bracing himself with a hand that trembled slightly. The stone was cool against his spine.
His shadows curled around him. And for a moment they werequiet.
Then they began tosing.
A low, haunting melody wove from the dark. Familiar and not. They had sung it the other night, too—some whispering, aching tune he didn’t recognise. Beautiful in a way that made his heart thud in an entirely unwelcome rhythm.
He’d hummed back that night. Absently. Some half-remembered ballad about a fool of a leader who tried to rebuild a broken kingdom, only to lose his entire family in the end. But the shadows had gone andwoventhe two songs together. His tragedy, their longing, and made it into something new.
Something dangerously hopeful.
They danced across his skin now, vibrating with the tune. Threading through him. Trying, he knew, tosoothehim.
He closed his eyes. Let the notes curl under his ribs.
He wouldn’t kill her.
Gods, he wished he could.
It would be easier. Cleaner.
But he couldn’t.
