The weight of that focus made my chest tighten, but beneath the fear, there was something else, a growing certainty that this was precisely where he wanted me. Not Aster, not the history between them, but me. Everything about the way he watched, the way he waited, told me this was not an interrogation, it was a judgment. And suddenly I understood that this entire exchange was a test.
“We need your help,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt. “We need the Weaver’s torch.”
The slow curve of his mouth told me I had not surprised him in the slightest. His expression held the quiet satisfaction of a man whose suspicions had just been confirmed.
“Ah,” he said softly. “I see.” His gaze slid briefly toward Aster, amusement flickering there. “And one you know I possess,” he continued. “No doubt thanks to an impulsive young bull who once believed himself clever enough to infiltrate my kingdom and steal it.”
Aster went rigid beside me, his jaw tightening, but I did not look at him. I couldn’t afford to.
“And now,” Theron added, returning his attention to me. “He stands here thinking that arriving with a pretty face by his side will somehow tip the scales in his favor.”
Heat crept up my neck at the compliment, but I held my ground.
“We have a good reason to be here,” I said, refusing to let embarrassment weaken my resolve.
“Then let us hear it,” he replied, gesturing lazily for me to continue.
I drew in a breath, aware of how exposed I felt, aware too that this exposure was precisely what he wanted.
“Atlas is on his way to the capital with his army. But he’s walking straight into a trap,” I said.
Theron regarded me with open interest, his expression thoughtful.
“What makes you so sure that it is not simply time he stepped in to defend his people?”
“It’s difficult to defend anyone,” I said, my voice sharpening despite myself. “When you’re trapped on the wrong side of a Rift!”
Something in him shifted. He had said it to provoke me, I realized, to see how I would respond, how much I knew, how much I was willing to risk saying aloud.
“I know, because I’ve seen it,” I admitted, but I felt Aster tense next to me. He leaned closer, his voice low and urgent.
“Careful, Alex.”
“No,” I said, without turning toward him. “Once he knows the truth, we have nothing left to hide.” That earned me another slow, knowing smirk from the handsome King.
“You were saying,” Theron prompted with a roll of his hand. As for my own, they clenched at my sides as I swallowed.
“I saw a vision of the truth,” I admitted before continuing. “Atlas believes his brother murdered their parents to take the throne. He believes the darkness was a lure, a way to draw him across the Rift, trapping him while his brother could then claim power.”
Theron’s brow lifted slightly.
“And you are saying this is false?” he said. “That your king has been deceived?”
“There is another,” I replied. “Someone else pulling the strings. That’s why we need the Weaver’s torch. Without it, we will never reach him in time to stop what’s coming.”
I hesitated, then pressed on, because hesitation was the same as failure here.
“I know you believe your kingdom is untouchable,” I said. “That you have no reason to intervene. But if Theïkós falls, it won’t stop there. Whatever is behind this will not be satisfied with one land, whether you wish to believe it or not.”
The amusement that had touched his features through most of this conversation died.
“The one responsible for this,” I added, my voice tight with conviction. “Will come for the Badlands too. And then, for the rest of my home.” Understanding flickered across his face.
“Ah,” Theron murmured. “So that is why you are here, to save your home by helping to prevent it from spreading further, to cut it off at the source.” His eyes searched mine with unnerving precision. “Or is there another truth you are about to share with me, I wonder?” he said, like he knew everything, like all my secrets were revealed the moment he saw me. And this right now was just another test, or a game, I couldn’t decide which yet.
“Tell me, mortal,” he said. “Are you truly here only to save a land you do not rule?”
“Alex,”Aster warned, knowing he was provoking me to tell him more than he needed to know. I stupidly ignored him.
