“And the good news,” he went on, “Is that it will not cost you anything. Not yet anyway.”
“I don’t understand,” I said, the admission slipping out before I could stop it.
He lifted a hand, and I fell silent instantly.
“What I require from you is a promise,” he said. “As simple as that.”
“A promise?” I echoed, my fingers curling unconsciously into the fabric of my sleeves again.
“I have a feeling your future is already set,” he replied. “And I am willing to wager on what that future is. Enough to part with one of my most precious artefacts.”
My heartbeat thundered, loud enough that I was certain he could hear it.
“Don’t mistake me, I am not doing this to help Theïkós,” he added, making me frown at the cruel admission.
“Then why are you doing this?” I asked, my voice quiet.
He studied me for a long moment, the green of his eyes darkening as if something even deadlier than him stirred beneath the surface.
“Because there are things a king desires more than treasure,” he said.
“More than peace upon his land.”
“I still don’t understand what a promise from me could possibly give you,” I argued.
“You can leave that to me,” he replied, his eyes gleaming.
“What I require is a vow that when the time comes, you will aid me in any way you can. Use your influence if you must.”
“I won’t hurt anyone,” I said quickly. “I won’t…”
His gaze snapped to mine, and the words died on my tongue.
“I do not intend to force you to harm anyone,” he said evenly. “And when the time comes, you will understand that as well.”
The tension between us pulsed in the air.
“But right now, Theïkós hangs in the balance. As does its king. The question is how far you are willing to go to save it? To save the man you claim to love?”
The words tightened around my throat like a noose. Better the devil you know, a voice whispered in the back of my mind, and I hated how true it felt right now.
“When will you collect?” I asked.
He shook his head once, smirking at my question.
“It will be a time of my choosing.”
“And you promise no one will be harmed?”
“I give you my word.”
Aster stepped closer, his shoulder brushing mine, his voice low and strained.
“Alex, I don’t like this.”
“What other choice do we have?” I murmured, turning toward him. “Without the Weaver’s torch, none of this matters.”
He looked at me like he already feared what I might be sacrificing, though neither of us truly knew.
