Page 51 of Every Spiral of Fate (This Woven Kingdom #4)

“How would we even go back?” asked Deen, turning to study the vast expanse around them.

“There are no doors, no exits, no connections to the other rooms we once occupied. I think there’s only one way back to the beginning, and I fear it’s some kind of loop—it likely requires us to complete the journey—”

“I’ve been waiting for this moment all my life,” said Alizeh, studying Cyrus in confusion. “I don’t want to turn back now—”

“Please,” said Cyrus desperately. “I need a moment to—to think— I cannot, at present, sort my thoughts—”

She shook her head at him, firm but gentle when she said, “Cyrus, I trust you in a way I can neither explain nor defend, but I’m afraid I cannot agree with you here.

I want to return to my people with the power I’ve promised them.

Surely you can understand this?” Her brows drew together.

“I can’t leave now. I have a duty to secure my magic, to wield this strength in the interest of their protection.

I must fulfill the promises I’ve made, for I want to safeguard their future—”

“No,” said Cyrus, hardly recognizing the sound of his own voice. “ No —”

He felt blind. His hands had gone numb.

Terror had decimated him.

“I don’t understand,” she said, alarm flaring in her eyes as she drew closer. “What’s wrong? Cyrus, you look unwell—”

“Heaven help me,” he whispered.

Should Cyrus do nothing—should he stand aside and allow Alizeh to access her power as expected, he might still be allowed his freedom from the devil’s bargain, for leading her to the magic was the last task on his list. And in exchange for the devastating harm that would no doubt befall her, Iblees would not massacre the people of Tulan.

“This was a mistake,” he said, but unsteadily. “I made a mistake—I need more time. Please, I need to gather my thoughts—”

“What are you going on about?” said Hazan angrily. “There is no time—”

“I don’t like that he’s agreeing with me,” Kamran said, studying Cyrus. “I wish he wouldn’t. It’s starting to make me doubt myself.”

Surely, there was no choice to be made?

Even as it would categorically annihilate Cyrus to betray Alizeh, did he not have an obligation to the greater good?

The empire of Tulan comprised approximately fifteen million people, not counting the hundreds of thousands of pilgrims recently arrived. By any mathematical logic, it made sense to spare fifteen million at the risk of endangering one.

“What’s wrong with him?” asked Omid.

The devil’s laughter was growing louder now, his shrieks echoing, overtaking Cyrus’s bones with a cold so severe he felt his hands begin to tremble.

He shook his head as if to clear it, to refocus his mind.

Cyrus had been forced to make a similar calculation when planning for contingencies: in the case that he wasn’t able to find the entrance to the mountain within the time allotted, he’d had to accept the painful possibility that he might need to provoke Ardunia to engage in a limited battle.

He’d understood, even as he hated it, that the sacrifice of several thousand soldiers would’ve been worth the salvation of many millions. Here, too, he’d—

He stiffened suddenly, memory driving through him with the edge of a serrated blade.

Will you vow now to elevate the needs of your bride, forsaking all others to ensure the protection and safety of your queen, whom we entrust now into the canopy of your care?

Cyrus had vowed to ensure Alizeh’s protection above all others.

Even fifteen million people.

He closed his eyes, and when he opened them he stared up at the sky, which continued to dispense soft spirals of snow; the flakes melted as they touched the ground, leaving only shimmery impressions behind.

He stood in the midst of this vast, disorienting landscape, too beautiful a time to be losing his mind, and yet—

He was backed into a corner like a common rat.

“Explain yourself,” Hazan demanded. “What reason do you give for your requests? At least defend your position—”

Cyrus was shaking his head. He couldn’t speak. He was afraid to speak.

Clearly, the Diviners had known.

They’d known it would come to this. They’d known and they’d taken care to protect Alizeh from himself, from the ruthless sacrifices they knew him capable of. They knew he might’ve chosen head over heart even if it killed him, and they’d made the choice for him.

They’d chosen Alizeh over everyone.

Inside him, Iblees cackled with delight, tramping across his soul violently, leaving him in pieces.

Then the devil’s voice, again—

NEVER HAVE WE LOST A MATCH!

WE SWEAR IT BY THE STARS!

NEVER SHALL YOU HAVE THE GIRL!

HER FATE IS TWINED WITH OURS!

By forcing him to take a binding vow to protect Alizeh, the Diviners had tied his hands.

Should he willingly allow her to take a single step toward that which he knew would harm her, he would be swiftly executed.

Should he die before completing his tasks, he would forfeit to the devil.

Should he do instead as dictated by his wedding vows, and protect Alizeh by preventing her from accessing her magic, he would fail the last task and forfeit to the devil.

No matter what he did, he would forfeit to the devil.

YOU THINK TO BEST THE JESTER

IN A GAME WE HAVE DESIGNED?

YOU MEAN TO TAKE AWAY OUR TOYS—

AND EXPECT US TO BE KIND?

Cyrus felt the world tilt.

Checkmate