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"She's convinced I set up elaborate traps just to spite her," he said, "as if I have nothing better to do."

I couldn't help but smile at the image of Vexa, covered in mud, hurling accusations at him. It was strange seeing this side of him—the subtle humor, the way his absurd brooding had mellowed into something almost companionable.

"So what do you actually do out here? Besides leading unsuspecting people into deadly pits?"

"Exist, mostly." He ducked under a low branch. "The forest's quieter than the fortress. Less politics."

A screech echoed overhead, and we both looked up to see a dark shape cutting through the gray sky. Nihr's wings stretched wide as she banked sharply.

"Does she always follow you like that?"

"She's a protective one." Aether's eyes tracked his mount's movement.

"They seem…" I hesitated. "Particular. For animals, at least."

"They are." That hint of pride returned to his voice. "Nihr foundme shortly after I emerged from the Void. Wouldn't leave me alone for days. Eventually I stopped trying to chase her off."

"You tried to chase off a Vördr?"

"Not my finest moment." The corner of his mouth twitched. "Though in my defense, I wasn't exactly thinking clearly at the time."

I tried to imagine what that must have been like. Emerging from the Void with no memories, no sense of who you were or where you belonged, and then having this powerful creature decide you were worth following. Did he even know what a Vördr was then? Or was Nihr just another strange thing in a world that made no sense?

Nihr dove through the canopy, branches swaying in her wake. "And she just... decided to stay? Even after your hesitation?"

"Vördr choose their riders for life. Once they've decided, that's it. Stubborn beasts." He shrugged. "No point arguing with a creature that's lived for centuries."

"How old is she?"

"No one knows exactly. The records mention a black Vördr with silver-tipped wings during the first war, but..." He glanced up as Nihr circled overhead. "It's impossible to tell if it was her."

“So, I’m assuming that would make her ancient?”

"Hence why I stopped arguing." That slight smile appeared again.

"Fair point." I paused, curiosity getting the better of me. "What was the first war?"

His golden eyes darted towards me curiously. "The war that put the Valtýrs on the throne. Before them, the Syrndore bloodline ruled." He cracked his knuckles, the sound echoing through the dry wood. "But the Valtýrs were Duskbound. They claimed it was a divine right to rule."

"And that's why they won?"

"They united the other noble houses. The records say thefighting lasted decades." His jaw tightened. "Nearly destroyed the realm before the Valtýrs claimed the throne."

I nodded as we fell into comfortable silence again.

"We should head back," Aether said, "you'll need your rest come tomorrow."

I followed him towards the mountain, avoiding twigs from the thick, dead brush, suddenly aware of how much lighter I felt.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

The mountain arenafelt different today. Colder somehow, as if the stone itself knew what was coming. We stood in the antechamber, the air thick with anticipation and something else—fear, maybe, though none of us would admit it.

Kenna paced in small circles, nerves radiating off of her. Even Theron's mask had slipped, his fingers drumming against his thigh in an uneven rhythm. Mira stood perfectly still, but her eyes never stopped moving throughout the space. The only one who seemed truly at ease was Valkan, lounging against a pillar with his personal guard, looking for all the world like this was merely a social gathering.

Vexa's boots echoed against stone as she approached our group, her leathers marking her as Spectre. "Those offered the choice will fly to the Void's location this evening," she said, her voice carrying an official weight that still felt strange coming from her. "If you accept, there's no turning back."

Her violet eyes swept over us, lingering on each face. "Those who decline, or aren't selected for the Void, may be offered positions in other units based on your abilities. The ground troops,scouts, or archival units all need capable soldiers." She paused, something flickering across her expression. "Each role serves the realm. Remember that when you make your choice."