Page 160 of The Chains You Defy

My grandfather fixed his gaze on the drop of sweat running down my temple. If I couldn’t beat my state into submission, something horrible would happen, according to the bottomless pit of unease in my stomach.

When had this war for internal control begun? And why did that shit happen? Yes, my magic was wayward sometimes, but like this? Fuck.

As usual, I refused to consider the possibility that something was very wrong with me, but the unsettling fear lingered. What if I gave up struggling against whatever was afflicting me? The lure grew stronger with each passing day, more insistent, and carried a promise of rightness I didn’t understand.

“Are you listening?”

“Yes. The Breocharn. And?”

“Located right in the middle, a tribe of lesser fire fae is dwelling. According to my sources, they worship a pillar in the center of the desert. Implanted inside is a mystical gem, which allows them to survive in their hostile surroundings. Bring me the trinket.”

Concentrating on the facts, I finally managed to quieten the screams in my head to a bearable level.

The Breocharn. The fire desert southeast of Alaiann burning since the beginning of time. And just like the Ainmhi living in Tocsaineach, the Doitean, orlesser fire fae,as Galrach had wrongfully called them, were ancient, one of the six ancestor tribes of elemental magic and their Wielder.

Lesser my ass.

Fae could reach a great age, but the ancients? They were practically immortal. Everything scholars had found out hinted at that.

But the tribes refused to submit to Galrach’s rule, had never accepted his position of power, and now he obviously wanted to deal with the thorn in his side that they’d proven to be.

The moral implications of my actions had never interested me, but the reluctance rising inside of me at the notion of going against the ancients had nothing to do with ethics. If said gem protected the Doitean from the harsh conditions of their home, taking the item meant they’d be forced to leave their habitat or perish—maybe even both.

Would this—

What if—

Why my mind jumped to the conclusion that stealing the gem for Galrach wouldn’t only annihilate the Doitean, forefathers of fire magic, but would also further weaken the fabric between the worlds was inconsequential.

So, not morality was holding me back, or the possibility of committing genocide, but the prospect of accelerating the advent of the apocalypse before I’d found asolution to the problem of how to ensure Naya’s safety during such an event.

My jaw locked so tight my teeth groaned, but I didn’t care. Galrach would hurt my female if I weren’t doing his bidding, but following his orders could just as well trigger harm for her.

Only now did I realize that the screams inside my head had turned completely silent, and my mind jumped right into plotting. Both my options were terrible, but maybe I could figure out a third, given enough time. Still, I would be an idiot if I didn’t attempt to talk Galrach into sweetening the deal.

“If you support my courtship and treat my female with respect, I’ll fetch your stupid gem.”

He would never, and I didn’t need him to, but aiming high to get what I really wanted was a tried and proven tactic I’d used before.

“You’re in no position to make demands, Scriosta.”

“Then at least swear you’ll leave her alone in my absence. You won’t threaten or harm her, and she will continue residing in my quarters. Promise me that.”

Offering the obedience he expected from me was wrong, and bile gathered in my throat, acid burning right into my soul. But for Nayana, I’d eat my emotions. I’d commit atrocities in her name so I could take another dent to my pride as well.

A muscle in Galrach’s jaw ticked, but he nodded. “I will agree to your terms if you depart this instant and alone.”

“I have to pack.”

“I will see that travel essentials and provisions are brought to the stables at once.”

Of course, he didn’t want me to notify anyone of why I was going to be absent. I could only hope that one of my comrades was in the area.

This fucking pile of shit changed all our plans, and the least I had to do was to inform the others. What a fucking inconvenience.

Still, I extended my hand to my grandfather. “It’s a bargain.”

With ominous triumph radiating in his eyes, he shook my hand and repeated the phrase, sealing our pact following the tradition of our people. “It’s a bargain.”