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“I gave you six weeks of space,” he offered. I could almost feel his shoulders shrug.

“Imprisonment isnotspace.” I finally turned towards him, almost slamming into his broad frame. My voice turned into a low growl. “Leave me alone.”

“I won’t. Not until you agree to work with us.”

“I know you’re probably used to ordering everyone around, but it’s not going to work with me. This will bemydecision. I’ve had my choices taken away from me before. I willnotdo that again,” I fired back as he arched his brow.

That seemed to stun him momentarily.

“Tryggar!” I cupped my hands around my mouth and called out into the sky. Vördr were flying across the horizon, but they were so far, I couldn’t make out if Tryggar was among them. I didn’t even know if he could hear me.

A chuckle sounded from behind.

“You can’t even mount him.” His words were laced with that dark amusement once again. I needed that silver Vördr to drop down.Now.Preferably on Aether’s head.

“Watch me.” I shot him a sickeningly sweet smile, followed by my two middle fingers.

Aether’s chuckle deepened, his golden eyes narrowing with a predatory gleam. “Oh, this should be good.” He crossed his arms and leaned casually against the stable door, as if settling in to witness a spectacle. “Don’t let me stop you, then. Go ahead. Call your beast.”

I bit back a retort, refusing to give him the satisfaction. Instead, I scanned the horizon again, my heart pounding in frustration. “Tryggar!” I shouted, louder this time. The sound of flapping wings answered faintly in the distance, and I squinted, catching a glimpse of silver cutting through the gray sky. Relief swept through me.

“Your negotiating skills aren’t nearly as powerful as you imagine them,” I said.

His lip twitched, but he didn’t bite. Instead, he straightened, stepping closer. Too close. “This isn’t about power,” he said, his voice low. “It’s about survival. You think you’re running from me, but you’re running from what you are. And Duskbound don’t just absorb the Void, they command it. They keep it contained. If you could go five minutes without having a tantrum, perhaps someone could explain it to you properly.”

I laughed, bitter and sharp. “Oh, please enlighten me, Aether, because so far, all I’ve heard is cryptic nonsense and demands. If I’m so crucial—if you’re running out of time, then why the fuck did you keep me isolated in a tower for six weeks?”

He tilted his head, studying. “I wanted to break you,” he said simply, his tone unnervingly calm. “You were so blinded by the lies from your realm. You needed to fall apart so we could evenattemptthe truth.”

“Break me?” I snapped, taking a step closer. For a moment, we were almost nose to nose, his shadow spilling over me. “You disgust me.”

His eyes darkened further, the corners pooling with inky droplets. “The truth is, you’re already part of this. Whether you want to be or not. I don’t care if I disgust you. I don’t care if you want me dead. If you weren’t the key to saving this realm, I would have already ended you. Entitled and selfish. Everything about you is revolting to me. So don’t worry, Princess, we’re on the same page there.”

Before I could fire back, a loud screech broke the tension. Tryggar’s massive form swept down, wings outstretched as he landed heavily on the ground, scattering dust and stale grass in his wake. His gleaming silver coat caught what little light the sky offered, and his dark eyes locked onto me.

“Finally,” I muttered, taking a tentative step toward him.

Aether’s chuckle returned, soft and maddening. “Go on, then. Show me.”

I ignored him, focusing on Tryggar. The Vördr’s gaze was sharp, as if he could feel the tension he had just sliced through. My hands shook, but I stretched one out cautiously. “Tryggar,” I whispered.

The beast huffed, his breath warm and smelling faintly of ash. He leaned forward slightly, just enough for me to brush my fingertips against his snout.

Behind me, Aether’s voice was like a dagger. “Careful now. He can smell fear.”

I shot him a glare over my shoulder. “You’re not helping.”

“I’m not trying to,” he said, eyes shining.

“Come on,” I murmured to the beast, gesturing toward the opening. “In here.”

Tryggar snorted, his massive hooves crunching against the ground as he hesitated. He didn’t move toward me, but he didn’t fly away, either.Stubborn Vördr.

I spotted a saddle resting on a nearby rack, plain and worn but serviceable, and hauled it down, staggering slightly under the weight. Dragging it toward the mounting platform, I climbed the stairs. “Tryggar!” I called again, my voice softer this time, more pleading. The Vördr’s shadow filled the doorway as he peered inside

“You’re going to spook him,” Aether warned. He was closer now. “Or hurt yourself. Honestly, this is painful to watch.”

“Then stop watching,” I snapped, fumbling with the straps. Tryggar shifted uneasily, his tail lashing behind him, but he didn’t pull away.