“I am now.”
“Curious,” Oblivion continued, his gaze flicking toward Bo with quiet precision,
“As I was under the impression that the relic belonged to another Enforcer.” The weight of both their attention settled on him instantly, and Bo stiffened under it. While Walder’s expression remained composed, something in his gaze sharpened almost imperceptibly.
“It matters not, for it is in my possession now, and as you are well aware, I do not relinquish what falls within my domain,” Walder stated, making Oblivion shrug his shoulders.
“And I have no interest in interfering with your affairs, as I trust you have no interest in interfering with mine.” His eyes shifted then, settling on me with pointed intent, and despite myself, I felt the urge to shrink back beneath it. Bo stepped forward again, unwilling to let it rest.
“She has free will!” he argued again, as if trying once last time to save me from my fate. One that Oblivion was dictating for me.
“I brought her here for protection,” Bo added, and Walder frowned at that before pointing out,
“Yes, but I don’t believe she requires protection from her Fated,”
“But I already told you… I’m not his…” I started, snapping the words before my breath stuttered when Walder leaned in slightly. His voice dropping as he murmured,
“I would advise you to say very little at this point, little dove,the adults are talking.”The condescension landed immediately, pulling an insulted huff from me that only seemed to amuse him, his lips curving faintly as he straightened once more.
Bo, however, didn’t relent.
“You gave us your word,” he pressed, casting judgment towards Walder, who replied smoothly,
“And I honored it, for you were granted sanctuary but not immunity. And as for the human, the rules differ for her. You should know this, being the one to bring her here despite knowing what trouble you brought to my door.”
“But I –” Bo tried, and this time Walder snarled.
I flinched back, my breath catching as something far more terrifying slipped through him, his features momentarily veiled by something demonic.
The image burned into me instantly, a carved black skull where his face had been, crowned with flaming horns that rose above it, the vision lasting only a heartbeat yet searing itself into my mind as though it would never leave.
“You knew he would come for her. Perhaps not so soon, but one day, for you knew he would never stop hunting her… and you, of all people, Boruta, should know that Fate is not to be meddled with.” At this, Bo gave up, slumping down next to me and offering me a small, defeated,
“I’m sorry, girly. I tried.”
“Bo?” I said his name in question, but he lowered his head, as if he knew what was coming next.
“Then it has been decided,” Walder stated, now stepping aside, and my head snapped up just in time to see Oblivion storming my way, cutting the rest of the distance between us. I tried to scramble back, but I wasn’t quick enough before his hand closed firmly around my wrist.
“NO!” I shouted in a pointless attempt to get him to stop, as he pulled me to a stand on wobbly feet.
“Oblivion…” I started, but he didn’t stop, didn’t pause, and didn’t give me the chance. Instead, in one smooth motion, he lifted me from the ground, his arm securing around me as he threw me effortlessly over his shoulder. The world tilted sharply as I was forced to brace myself against him.
“Bo!” I called, reaching back instinctively, but he didn’t move, couldn’t, because Walder’s grip held him firmly in place, with a meaty hand to his shoulder.
I struggled against him, but Oblivion didn’t release me. If anything, his hold settled more firmly. Not tightening in a way that caused pain, but in a way that made it unmistakably clear that the decision had already been made.
That I was his to claim back.
“I request use of my room,” Oblivion said, and there was no softness to it, yet it wasn’t a demand. He spoke like it was already settled, as though the answer had never been anything but yes.
For a brief moment, Walder said nothing, and Oblivion held me in such a way that I could turn my head. Something that allowed me to catch his expression for myself, the faintest hint of a knowing smile touching his mouth.
“I trust you remember the way,” Walder replied, and I felt Oblivion nod in return, considering I was still draped over his shoulder.
The ease of it made something click into place, because it meant Oblivion hadn’t just been here before, but enough that he had once claimed a space of his own within these walls.
But what surprised me more was what Walder said next, just as Oblivion turned to leave, his steps pausing the moment his voice carried after us.
