Page 22

CHAPTER 22

S asha

I walk between Eirik and the Elder, my eyes drawn to the impossible structures surrounding us. Crystal spires twist toward the cavern ceiling, their surfaces catching and reflecting light in mesmerizing patterns. The buildings themselves seem to pulse with life, their obsidian walls flowing like liquid stone frozen in mid-motion.

“This is extraordinary,” I whisper, reaching out to touch a nearby wall. The surface feels warm beneath my fingertips, almost like skin.

“The crystals are living organisms,” Eirik explains, his hand finding the small of my back. “They grow and adapt to our needs, with the help of the Soul Stones.”

The street beneath our feet glows with a soft amber light that reminds me of sunset. Unlike the harsh artificial illumination of Valcan’s lower districts, this light feels natural, organic. It bathes everything in a gentle warmth that makes the underground city feel more like an entirely new world.

Movement catches my eye as doors begin to open along the street. Huugwor villagers emerge from their homes, their blue eyes bright with interest. Some wave, while others bow slightly to the Elder. Children peek around their parents’ legs, pointing and whispering. Despite their intimidating size and the sometimes fearful frown of some men, there is no hostility or tension in the air.

“They’re curious about you,” Eirik says. “You are the first human visitor to come to this village. Most of them have only heard tales of the strange aliens that live in your city.”

A small Huugwor girl breaks away from her mother and runs up to us. The girl stops just in front of me as I stare back at her, too stunned to say anything. Her lovely face is all rounded features, innocent and perfect, with her wide, bright blue eyes over a lighter blue sclera contrasting with her dark gray skin. Her black shoulder-length hair is adorned with intricate braids interlaced with the same jewel tone fabric that serves as windows and doors. She wears a flowing dress tied to her shoulders and walks barefoot.

This is the most stunning child I’ve ever seen, so different from the kids roaming the streets of Tartarus with fear in their gazes.

As she lifts her face to me, wide with awe, I realize she’s holding out her hand to me. I look down at her hand to see she’s holding an iridescent, small object, its pearly surface catching the ambient light. Her eyes shine with pride as she presents her offering and a blinding smile stretches her plump lips. Her teeth gleam white, with two small fangs.

“Thank you,” I say, accepting the present.

I turn to Eirik in confusion and he smiles at the child, then says something to her in the Huugwor language. She nods her head with a solemn expression, then runs back to her house, where her mother ushers her back inside. Still, I see her peek around her mother’s legs, her little face eager.

“She’s given you her favorite fruit,” Eirik says. “They’ve just harvested them from their garden.”

A fruit? The precious tiny organic treats are a luxury only the richest citizens of Valcan can afford, shipped from off-world at astronomical costs. I never had the chance to taste any, much less one native to the desert planet. I turn it around in my palm, inspecting its smooth, perfect surface. It feels cool and strangely humid. Chuckling, Eirik plucks it from my hand.

“Watch,” he says, pressing his thumbs into a specific spot. The fruit splits open with a soft pop, revealing flesh that glows bright purple with bioluminescence.

“Here.” He hands it to me. “Feel for the ridge along this side.” His fingers brush against mine as he helps me find the right spot. “Now press firmly.”

The fruit yields under my touch, splitting completely cleanly down the middle. Sweet nectar pools in the center, and the scent reminds me of spices and honey.

“Go on,” Eirik encourages. “Try it.”

I bring the fruit to my lips and take a bite. Flavor explodes across my tongue—bright and crisp at first, then melting into something rich and complex.

“This is incredible,” I say between bites, turning to see the child smiling widely. Her mother, who still shields her from view, is also smiling at my reaction. “Thank you.”

When I turn to Eirik, my breath catches. His expression has softened completely, the diplomatic mask and warrior’s intensity gone. Instead, there’s something gentle in his eyes as he watches me enjoy the fruit. His thumb reaches out to catch a drop of juice from the corner of my mouth.

The little girl beams at my obvious enjoyment and says something in the Huugwor language. Eirik responds with a warm chuckle that makes my heart skip. I’ve never seen him like this—relaxed, unguarded, almost playful. This tender side of him feels like discovering a rare gem hidden beneath layers of stone.

More villagers approach, their initial hesitation giving way to friendly greetings. Some speak in their native tongue, others in broken Common, but their welcoming gestures need no translation.

The aroma of unfamiliar spices fills the air as villagers bustle around, preparing what appears to be a feast. My stomach growls at the sight of steaming dishes being carried past, reminding me I haven’t eaten since before the heist. A group of female Huugwors beckons me closer, offering small bites of food that burst with flavors I’ve never experienced.

“This is incredible,” I say, accepting another morsel from a smiling woman. The food melts on my tongue, leaving behind a pleasant warmth.

Somehow, food keeps coming my way. As soon as I finish one bite of something delicious, another appears in front of me. It’s like the Huugwor women are lining up to offer me food until my stomach is full to capacity. And then some more.

I eat like I’ve never eaten in my life. Like there is no end to it and no price tag attached. And as I look around, I see everyone doing the same. It’s like the people in this place never starve, never go hungry. They just eat with a smile on their faces and share as easily as others in Tartarus would fight.

It’s both incredibly comforting and bittersweet to watch.

Eirik’s deep laugh draws my attention. He stands with a cluster of warriors, gesturing animatedly as he tells what must be a funny story. Their collective laughter echoes off the crystal walls, and I catch fragments about a training mishap involving someone falling into a pool.

“You should have seen her face,” Eirik says in Common, clearly for my benefit. “Three days later, I was still picking sand from my hair.”

The warriors roar with laughter, and I see a side of Eirik I hadn’t known existed. Here, among his people, his diplomatic facade is gone away to reveal the man behind the mask. His eyes crinkle at the corners when he smiles, and his whole body relaxes.

Eirik catches my gaze and excuses himself from the group. He takes my hand, leading me to a quiet corner where crystals pile high, emanating a gentle warmth. We settle together, my back against his chest, his arms wrapping around me.

The crystals pulse with a soft blue light that bathes us in its glow. Their heat seeps into my muscles, melting away the tension of the past few days. I lean back, letting my head rest against Eirik’s shoulder as we watch the festivities unfold before us.

“I’ve never seen anything like this,” I murmur, watching children chase each other between the legs of adults, their laughter pure and uninhibited. Their joy, too.

I study Eirik’s face in the crystal’s glow, noticing how the hard lines around his mouth have softened. His shoulders, usually rigid with a stern authority, rest loose and comfortable.

“They all seem so happy,” I say, tracing my fingers along his forearm. “I wish the children in Tartarus could be like this.”

His face sets in familiar grim lines as he turns to me. “I will do everything in my power to make it so. This is my mission, why our Elder sent me to your city to forge the alliance. Tartarus can be like this, too.”

Settling at Eirik’s side once more, I let this sink it. I think about the possibility that Tartarus could become this haven it was once supposed to be. That the home I knew, cold and unforgiving, could change enough to see children running in the streets, running while laughing. I am surprised to find out I can actually picture it.

Would I even want to leave if it was possible? The thought surges in my mind as I watch a Huugwor couple embracing amid the festivities. Would Eirik want me to stay?

The Elder called me his mate and Eirik was very possessive during our passionate embrace, but this could all be a misunderstanding. Huugwors mate for life, but I have no idea of their customs. Would he propose to me like a human would? How could I know?

If he wants me to stay with him, I will. I contemplate the possibility and I find out it’s true. If Eirik wants me by his side to live a life like this one, I’m more than willing to renounce my dream of leaving Tartarus. It’s not even renouncing a dream; it’s more like transposing the possibility of a better life for the certainty of this one.

“Did you grow up in a village like this?” I twist to look up at him. “Is your family nearby?”

The warmth in his expression dims, and his arms tighten around me. “No. My village was destroyed when I was young. The Empire’s forces attacked without warning during a feast much like this one.”

My breath catches. “You were there?”

“I survived by hiding in one of the healing pools. The Empire’s soldiers couldn’t detect my life signs through the mineral-rich water.” His voice grows distant. “I was the only one who survived.”

The weight of his words settles over me.

“Is that why the Elder chose you as ambassador?”

“Yes. Most Huugwor warriors have large families, deep roots in their communities. I had nothing left to lose.” He presses his lips to my temple. “Until now.”

I lean into his touch, understanding for the first time why he fights so hard to protect his people’s secrets. He’s not just their ambassador; he’s a living reminder of what happens when they let their guard down.

The feast winds down as the light from the crystal walls dims to a soft twilight glow. Eirik’s fingers intertwine with mine, his thumb brushing across my knuckles in a gesture that sends warmth spreading through my chest. He guides me away from the gathering, down a winding path lined with luminescent crystals.

“The guest quarters,” he says, nodding toward a structure that seems to grow from the cavern wall itself, curving organically, its surface rippling like silk in a breeze. As we pass the flowing fabric door and enter the house, I blink in wonder.

“It’s beautiful,” I whisper, taking in the plush furnishings and flowing architecture. Everything feels alive, from the crystal formations that serve as windows to the strange, bioluminescent plants that trail from ceiling to floor.

Eirik’s hand slides to my waist, turning me to face him. The amber light plays across his features, softening the sharp angles of his face. His blue eyes seem to glow as they meet mine, filled with an intensity that makes my breath catch.

“Sasha,” he murmurs, drawing me closer. One hand cups my cheek while the other splays across my lower back, holding me as if I’m something precious.

When his lips meet mine, I kiss him back with all the desperation I felt when I thought his life would slip from my hands.