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"I mean it. They're clueless right now—they don't know what's actually happening. And some of them were my friends." The words felt heavy. "If we're discovered, I will take care of it, try and wipe their memory. We do nothing more."

His eyes raked over my expression for a few seconds before he nodded.

"Also," I said, moving closer to him, feeling that familiar pull. I took his hand in mine, trying to ignore how my skin tingled at his touch. "If this is going to work..." I met his eyes, watching as they darkened slightly. "You cannot reveal yourself, no matter what. I need you to trust that I can handle it. I need you to trustme."

His jaw tightened, conflict clear in his expression. "I do trust you." His fingers interlaced with mine. "But if anything happened to you?—"

"Nothing will happen." I squeezed his hand. "But you showing yourself might ruin this entire plan. If they see you, I don't know how they will retaliate, but…" I reached up, touching his face. "They won't hesitate."

"And if Laryk tries to hurt you?" The words came out rough, almost a growl.

"He won't." But even as I said it, uncertainty crept in. I knew he'd never physically harm me, but I had no idea how he'd react to the truth—not just about Umbrathia or the King, but about how I wasn't his. Not anymore. "Just... promise me. Promise you'll stay hidden unless there's absolutely no other choice."

His eyes searched mine for a long moment before he let out a slow breath. "Fine." The word seemed to physically pain him. "But the moment?—"

"The moment there's real danger, you can go full ‘Realm Crasher’ on everyone." I tried for humor, but his expression remained serious.

"I won't watch you die." His voice dropped lower, that dangerous edge returning.

A twig snapped in the distance and we both tensed, instinctively moving closer together. When nothing emerged from the growing darkness, I turned back to find his eyes still fixed on me, burning with an intensity that made my heart skip.

"I'm not planning on dying," I said softly. "But I need to do this my way. He needs to hear the truth fromme." I paused, choosing my next words carefully. "And if he sees you first... he'll never listen to anything I have to say."

Aether simply nodded, taking a step towards me, his eyes piercing.

"We should go," I said, glancing over at Tryggar chasing some small rodent through the trees in the distance. I turned for my satchel?—

But before I reached it, Aether caught my wrist, pulling me back against him. His other hand tangled in my hair as his mouth found mine, and suddenly nothing else mattered. The kiss was deep, hungry—full of residual desire left over from the night before

My back hit rough bark as he pressed me against a tree, his body caging mine completely. Heat flooded through me as his hands slid down my sides, gripping my hips. When his teeth grazed my bottom lip, I couldn't help the small sound that escaped my throat.

"We shouldn't—" I managed between kisses, but my hands were already pulling him closer, betraying my words.

His stubble scraped against my jaw as his mouth moved to my neck, making me shiver. "I know," he breathed against my skin.

Nihr's hooves crunched on leaves beside us, reminding us where we were, what we were about to do. We broke apart, both breathing hard. His golden eyes had gone dark, void burns leaking black mist.

"We need to focus," I whispered, though my hands still gripped his leathers.

He pressed his forehead to mine, taking a steadying breath. "Later," he promised, his voice rough in a way that made heat surge through me.

The fortress emerged from the darkness like a beast, all jaggededges and shadows, its black stone seeming to devour what little moonlight remained. My heart sank as we drew closer—something was wrong. The walls crawled with guards, their silver badges winking like stars as they moved in perfect synchronization. Far too many.

"Fuck," I breathed, watching another patrol pass.

"They're everywhere," Aether said.

We shared a look of hesitation before melting into darkness, moving through shadows like mist. Each guard we passed made my heart stutter, though I knew they couldn't see us. Their conversations echoed off the walls as we slipped past.

"—third sweep tonight. General's orders."

Their words left ice in my veins.

I pulled out the scroll again after we materialized in a supply closet, checking our position. The layout was exact—each corridor where it should be—but the security was nothing like we'd expected. Guards posted at every major intersection, patrols moving within formations. This was nothing like I expected. This was an army preparing for war.

The guards weren't the only problem. Every alcove, every darkened corner that could have provided cover was illuminated by torches burning far too bright for this time of night.

We followed the map's path toward Laryk's wing, our darkness flowing like water through the corridors—shifting and adapting to any shadows we could find. The sound of boots against stone echoed everywhere. My web picked up dozens of minds moving through the fortress, all following the same patterns.