Those weren't reassurances. They were empty words meant to pacify me while he got what he wanted.
He'd spoken with such sureness, as if his will alone could bend reality to his desires.
I didn’t trust in anything of the sort.
All I could see happening was my family paying the price for his arrogance.
Thayden would return to find me gone. And then what?
Why was I even wondering?
I knew exactly what that bastard would do. In the mortal lands, they burned magic users at the stake.
The old laws labeled anyone who used magic a witch, and the Faith of the Eternals taught that burning cleansed the soul and those around tainted by a witch’s black magic.
Thayden would drag my family to the capital before the Royal court and light the pyre himself, claiming he was cleansing the kingdom.
And afterward, he would make sure our family name was dragged through the mud, our legacy reduced to ash and shame. No one would mourn us. No one would question his justice.
The thought made my stomach lurch.
While I sat here in this borrowed room, surrounded by magic and luxury, my family would face the most agonizing death imaginable. All because of me.
I pressed a hand to my heart and allowed a tear to fall. Another one came, then another.
Gods, I hated crying, but I couldn’t help it.
A soft knock interrupted my spiraling thoughts, followed by a hesitant voice. "Elariya? It's me."
Arielle.
I stared at the door, my jaw clenched.
Part of me wanted to ignore her and let her stand out there until she gave up and left. But I had a feeling she wouldn't give up so easily. And if she left, she'd keep coming back, keep trying, until eventually, I'd crack under the weight of guilt for shutting her out.
I didn't want to feel bad for anyone right now. I had enough of my own misery to contend with.
"Come in," I called, my voice hoarse from hours of silence.
The door opened slowly, and Arielle stepped inside. The confident posture she’d exhibited over the last few days was nowhere to be found. Instead, she looked uncertain, almost fragile. Her hair was pulled back messily, as if she'd been running her hands through it, and there were shadows under her eyes that suggested she'd slept as poorly as I had.
She closed the door behind her with a soft click, then stood there awkwardly, clearly unsure how to begin.
"I know you probably don't want to see me," Arielle spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "But I... I had to come. I had to try to explain."
I didn't respond, just watched her fidget with the sleeves of her robe.
"I promised you that you could go home," she continued, pain evident in every word. "I believed it was a promise I could keep when I said it. I truly thought Wolfe would honor that agreement."
“Did you?” I raised my brows.
“Of course, I did.” Her voice cracked. "Now I feel like such a fool."
"You're not the fool here," I said quietly, shaking my head. "I am. For believing any of you."
Arielle flinched as if I'd slapped her. "Elariya, please. I never wanted this to happen. If I could change his mind, if there were anything I could do?—"
"But there isn't." The words came out flat, emotionless. "You're bound to him. Just like the rest of them. When it came down to choosing sides, you all chose Wolfe."
