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Chapter Nineteen

R eign

Another stream of power surged through the shimmery strands of the cuorem nearly knocking me on my ass. I was prepared for it this time—or as prepared as one could be to be struck by invasive energies that weren’t their own—bracing myself against an immense darkwood. My shadows hissed and writhed at the onslaught of foreign energy, a twisted web of all three powers straight from the gods. No, straight from Aelia. Realms, what was Helroth doing to her? I’m coming for you, Aelia. I swear it won’t be long now .

Finally leaving the cursed mire and its abominable inhabitants far behind, the ruined spire emerged from the gloom, jagged lines extending high into the endless night.

“Now, that shell of a fortress looks haunted.” Symon steered his mount closer to the crumbling steps, the hippogriff balking at the ominous sight as his rider dismounted.

“There’s no such thing,” Rue countered as she did the same.

“As ghosts?” Ruhl slid between the pair of Light Fae. “I’m not certain I agree with you. The things I’ve seen—” A chilly breeze whipped across the clearing, and the murmur of ancient voices sailed on the wind, cutting him off.

“Enough,” I barked. “There’s no time for this. After that firestorm, it won’t be long until the entirety of the king’s guard appears. And, even if that cursed castle is filled to the brim with spirits of the damned, I’m going in to find the compass. I didn’t force any of you to come with me. You are more than welcome to remain here.”

“No one said we wouldn’t go in.” Rue nudged past me until she stood at the first step of the crumbling facade. “There’s not a single coward among us.”

I hated to admit it, but the Light female was exceptionally fierce. The more time I spent with her, the more I understood why Aelia cared for her so, and why the sentiment was returned in earnest. Those two females were destined to be in each other’s lives.

“Let’s get this over with.” Ruhl crept forward, his shadows curled so closely around his body they resembled liquid armor.

Leaving her phoenix beside the other skyriders, Liora summoned a blazing orb in her palm and marched past her classmates. “I’ll lead the way.” She nimbly crossed over the decomposing stairs and paused at the archway, which must have at one time housed a door.

“Not sure that’s the best idea,” Rue muttered. “We all remember where that got us last time…”

The corners of my lips tipped up at her insinuation, and I was barely able to school them into neutrality before Liora whirled on the girl.

“I’ve already apologized countless times, Rue.”

“Well, your apologies just don’t seem to make up for the fact that my brother is still missing, and Aelia was abducted by the gods’ damned Night King.”

Liora glared down at Rue. “You truly don’t trust me, do you? Even after all this time. All I’ve done is try to help.”

Rue stalked closer, matching the taller female in ferocity despite her much shorter stature. “No, I don’t trust you, Liora. I find all of it much too convenient, and I’ll be damned if I follow you anywhere ever again.”

“Fine,” she spat, extinguishing the orb in her palm before slapping her hands on her hips. “Go whichever Raysa-damned way you choose.”

“Ladies, please.” Ruhl inched between the two fiery females. Brave but stupid male. “We don’t have time for this.”

“Perhaps we should split up,” I offered. “Ruhl’s right, there’s no time for arguing.”

“I agree, wholeheartedly.” Rue moved to Symon’s side, as far away from Liora as she was able. “As long as I don’t have to go with her, I’ll happily take the lead.”

“I will lead,” I growled. “Ruhl and Liora, stay together. Canvas the first floor, and the rest of you, follow me. We’ll take the top level.”

My acquisition pouted, pushing out her puckered pink lips, but I ignored it, focused only on finding this gods’ forsaken compass and bringing Aelia home. “Send a shadow if you require assistance,” I called out over my shoulder to my brother before marching through the doorway.

The ancient floorboards creaked beneath my boots as I led the way up the stairs. A deathly silence coated in inky black pervaded the decomposing remains of the fortress. Had this been the seat of power of one of the Immortalis kings of long ago? It must have been if it hid the sacred artifact. I hated to think of the repercussions if King Valtherion discovered we were pilfering his treasure.

“It better be here,” Symon whispered, a tremor in his tone. “We need to get this cursed compass and get out of this Raysa-forsaken land.”

“I couldn’t agree with you more, Lightspire.”

Rue walked between us, the luminous sword she summoned once we crossed the threshold lighting the way. Once we reached the top floor, I closed my eyes and focused on the new pulsing power still filling the void in my chest. Where are you, Aelia ? I drew in a long breath, clearing my mind, and a faint tug propelled my feet forward. A swell of hope kindled, and I sprinted down the dark hall.

“Wait for us!” Rue shouted, but it was as if my legs were no longer my own, driven by a force I had no control over.

The cuorem pulsed faster, and my heartbeat echoed the manic pace. I raced down the winding corridors, the putrid odor of death and decay filling my nostrils with each ragged breath. We were close, I could sense it. Flaring my nostrils, I scented something new, a vaguely familiar odor, like something from a distant memory, distinct and powerful all the same. Avar . It had to be.

Following it, my pace quickened until my boots slapped the stone floor in a desperate attempt to match my accelerating pulse. That energy grew stronger with each step, beckoning me forward as if a mystical tether led the way.

“We’re close,” I yelled over my shoulder. I could sense Rue and Symon racing behind, their footsteps pounding to keep up with my own.

I turned another dark corner, screeching to a stop, a towering obsidian door now blocking my path. The hallway was suddenly eerily silent save for the hum of the glowing red sigil carved into the barrier before me. The intricate design shimmered like liquid fire, its jagged lines pulsing as though it had a heartbeat of its own. A second later, Rue and Symon stood beside me, a grim tension settling over our group as we stared at the inscription above the seal.

Only blood willingly offered shall open the way .

“Blood willingly offered?” Rue’s voice was soft, hesitant. Her glowing luminous blade rested loosely in her hand, casting a pale radiance across the shadowed room we found ourselves in. “That’s unsettlingly vague.”

“Vague or not,” Symon interjected, stepping closer to the door, his face pale but resolute, “we don’t have time to waste. The sooner we’re out of here the better. If the Immortalis catch up with us, this seal will be the least of our worries.”

I stepped forward, scanning the intricate pattern of the sigil. Its pulsating rhythm seemed to match my own heartbeat, as though it recognized me—or mocked me. “It’s not just about spilling blood,” I said. “The giver has to be willing . If there’s even a remote hesitation, the seal won’t accept it.”

Symon glanced at me, his jaw tight. “Then let’s not waste our time.” He drew his dagger, the blade catching the faint glow of Rue’s light. Without flinching, he dragged the edge across his palm, and a bead of crimson welled up and trickled down his wrist.

“What are you doing?” I hissed.

“I have Light blood, professor. Clearly, it’ll be a more powerful means to counteract the sigil.” He shrugged. “I owe it to Aelia and her blessedly rounded ears.”

The moment Symon pressed his bleeding hand to the sigil, the red glow surged violently, almost blinding in its intensity. The hum grew louder, the sound deep and resonant, but instead of opening, the sigil flared brighter, almost angry. A searing jolt of energy erupted, throwing Symon back against the cold stone wall. He crumpled to the ground with a gasp, clutching his chest.

Rue’s luminous blade vanished as she rushed to his side, her hands trembling as she steadied him. “Symon! Are you?—”

“I’m fine,” he rasped, his breaths coming in ragged pants. “But it didn’t work. Why didn’t it work?”

Rue’s face hardened, determination replacing her fear. “I’ll try,” she said.

“No,” I growled. “It should be me. It has to be me…”

“Just let me try, professor. You haven’t let us do anything since Aelia disappeared. I’m her best friend, and I’m more than willing.”

“Fine,” I grumbled, despite every bone in my body knowing it would be futile, I at least owed her this chance.

Drawing in a deep breath, Rue pulled a slender blade from her belt and made a clean cut across her own palm. Her blood shimmered faintly, a testament to her Light Fae heritage. She strode to the door with purpose, her gaze fierce, and pressed her hand against the sigil.

This time, the glow shifted, flickering as though contemplating her offering. For a moment, I thought it might accept her sacrifice. But then the same violent surge of energy erupted, hurling Rue backward as well. She collided with the ground, her blood streaking the stone. Symon scrambled to her side, his face etched with panic.

“Curses,” she murmured, her voice weak. “It’s rejecting us.”

I clenched my fists, fury igniting in my chest. The sigil seemed to mock us, its crimson glow steady, unwavering. I’d been watching closely, though. The sigil hadn’t just rejected them. It had hesitated, as if it were searching for something more.

I knew what it wanted. Or rather, who it wanted.

“I told you, it has to be me,” I said, stepping forward. My voice was calm, but inside, a storm raged. “If this seal requires something more than just blood, it’s because it knows I’ll give it. I would give every last ounce of myself to save her.”

Symon’s wary gaze lifted to mine. “And what if it rejects you too?”

“It won’t. I am her cuoré, the other half of her soul.”

Both Light Fae stared up at me, mouths curved in matching expressions of shock.

“…Fae fated mates?” Rue blurted, after a moment’s hesitation.

I nodded slowly, expelling a long sigh. “Aelia wanted to tell you, but I wouldn’t allow it. I was concerned for her safety?—”

“Because how would a Light Fae be bonded to a Shadow Fae?” Her light brows drew together as she pieced together the obvious. “Aelia doesn’t just have Light blood running through her veins.”

“Raysa’s tits!” Symon shrieked.

“Now, step aside.” They didn’t argue further and surprisingly, asked nothing more of the shocking revelation. For now. I was sure the questions would come eventually—I could only hope that Aelia would be back to handle that particular inquisition.

Summoning an umbral blade, I turned to face the sigil. The heat emanating from it was oppressive now, a searing reminder of the price it demanded. Without a hint of hesitation, in one swift motion, I sliced across my palm, deeper than I’d intended. Blood pooled instantly, thick and dark, dripping onto the cold stone floor.

I stepped closer, lifting my bleeding hand. As I pressed it against the sigil, a shiver ran down my spine, and the glow flared brighter than ever before. This time, the hum became a roar, vibrating through my entire body. My knees buckled, and I gritted my teeth as a sweltering pain shot through my hand, traveling up my arm and sinking into my chest.

The sigil wasn’t just taking my blood, it was taking something more. It clawed at my very essence, pulling at my nox , my shadows, as though trying to rip them free. A strangled groan escaped my lips, but I kept my hand pressed firmly against the door. Nothing would keep me from retrieving the compass and saving my cuoré.

“Reign!” Rue shouted, but her voice sounded distant, muffled. The pain was excruciating, but I couldn’t stop now. The sigil wanted everything, and I would give it. I would give everything I had, everything I was for Aelia.

With one final pulse, the sigil erupted in a blaze of crimson light. The sound of stone grinding against stone filled the hallway as the obsidian door parted, revealing a shadowed chamber beyond.

I staggered back, my vision swimming. Rue caught me before I hit the ground, her light wrapping around me like a fragile cocoon. “You idiot,” she muttered, her voice shaking. “It could have killed you. Aelia would never have forgiven us—or you, you fool.”

“But it didn’t,” I rasped, forcing a smirk through the pain. “Now let’s go. We’ve wasted enough time.”

Symon glanced at the now-open door, his expression unreadable. “You gave it something more than blood, didn’t you?”

I didn’t answer because, honestly, I had no idea, but whatever it was—be it a piece of my nox , of my heart, of my soul—I would give it a thousand times over if it meant finally finding Aelia.

I stormed into the shadowed room and marched toward the obsidian altar. Atop the gleaming surface sat the Ebonshard Compass. My heart shuddered at the sight. I reached for the ancient relic, my fingers practically trembling. Forged from an obsidian-like material with jagged, razor-sharp edges, it shimmered faintly, as if alive. It was heavy in my palm, bearing the weight of ancient secrets. At its center, a shard of pure ebony crystal floated, pulsing with a crimson glow. The face was a liquid mirror, reflective and shifting, and emitted faint, chilling whispers. Intricate runes etched into its surface gleamed silver, while the metal radiated a bone-deep cold that seeped into my flesh.

“How does it work?” Rue stood on her tiptoes peering over my shoulder.

“I have no idea, but we’re about to find out.”