Kane
The cold wind of Ithrador whipped around us as we made our way through the dense trees and toward the heart of the kingdom. My breath hung in the air, a cloud of mist that drifted away with every exhale. The forest was eerily quiet, a stark contrast to the tension swirling between Fallon and me as we walked side by side. I couldn't shake the feeling that the world had changed between us, even though the weight of it wasn't clear yet.
Fallon kept her gaze forward, her steps steady and sure, but I could see the subtle stiffness in her shoulders, the way she kept her distance, like she wasn't sure where to place her trust anymore. I knew the silence between us wasn't just about Dorian. It was about everything we had almost allowed ourselves to give into, the kiss, the unspoken promises. I didn't know if we were still on the same page. I didn't know if she wanted to be.
The closer we got to the castle gates, the more my stomach churned. I had to face Aldric, my mentor, my commander. The man who had trained me to become what I wasâwhat I still was. But now, it wasn't just a warrior's duty weighing on me. It was the undeniable knowledge that Dorian was going to face the consequences of his actions. I couldn't protect him anymore, no matter how much I wanted to. He'd crossed a line, and this time, there was no way around it.
"Keep your guard up," I muttered under my breath to Fallon as we neared the gates. She glanced at me, her expression unreadable, and I felt that tight knot in my chest loosen just a little at the unspoken understanding that still lingered between us. We may not have figured everything out, but we were still on the same team. That was something.
The castle walls loomed ahead, the towering stone structure casting long shadows as we approached the entrance. The sentries at the gates greeted us with a nod, eyes wary as they saw Dorian bound and silent between us. They didn't ask questionsânone of them needed to. Word had already traveled ahead of us, and they knew the situation we were walking into. But the air still felt thick, like even they understood the weight of the moment.
We crossed the threshold into the inner courtyard, where Aldric's guards stood at attention. I could feel Fallon's unease beside me, but I didn't know what to say to ease her. She had her own thoughts about all of this, about Dorian, and about the fact that this would change everything. She didn't need me to coddle her, and she didn't need me to pretend like everything would be fine. But I could sense she was struggling.
I kept my eyes trained on the grand stone doors ahead of us, my focus narrowing. When we finally reached them, they opened without a word, revealing the imposing figure of Aldric, standing tall in the center of the chamber. The room was cold, like it always was when Aldric was involvedâsterile and professional, devoid of warmth. I couldn't remember a time when it had felt any different.
Aldric's dark eyes flicked between us, his gaze settling on Dorian. His face remained impassive, a mask of calm. But I knew him well enough to see the flicker of disappointment, the sharpness of judgment in his stare. He crossed his arms over his chest, his gaze heavy with expectation.
"You bring him to me," Aldric said, his voice smooth and unyielding.
I stepped forward, keeping Dorian at arm's length, knowing full well this wasn't going to be easy for either of us. I had watched Dorian grow alongside me, a brother in arms. He had stood by my side in battles, shared in my victories and defeats. But now, he was a traitor to the very principles we had sworn to uphold. And I had no choice but to do my duty, even if it meant betraying someone I had once trusted.
"Dorian, tell him," I said, my voice hard, though it tore at me to speak the words. "Tell Aldric why you betrayed us. Why you tried to sell information about the kingdom."
Dorian's eyes flashed, but he didn't speak. His jaw was clenched, and for a brief moment, I almost saw the old Dorianâthe one who had always had a quick answer, a plan. But there was nothing now. Just silence. He didn't even look at me.
Aldric's gaze never left Dorian, his expression growing colder with every passing second. "You do not get to remain silent in this court," Aldric warned, his voice like steel. "You will speak, or I will force it out of you."
Fallon shifted beside me, her stance rigid as she stepped up to Dorian's side, her eyes meeting his. "You betrayed us, Dorian," she said, her voice steady, but there was a sharpness to it that cut through the tension in the room. "You put all of us at risk. And you're still going to stand there in silence?"
For a long moment, Dorian said nothing. His shoulders slumped slightly, as if the weight of what he had done was finally sinking in. But it wasn't enough to break him. Not yet.
"Why, Dorian?" I asked, softer now, my voice betraying the hurt I felt. "Why did you choose this?"
Finally, Dorian's eyes flicked to mine, the faintest glimmer of regret flickering in the depths. But his lips remained sealed. He didn't answer.
Aldric stepped forward, his gaze now steely. "Your silence speaks volumes," he said. "Perhaps you've already made your decision. Perhaps you believe your actions will be overlooked, but I am not so lenient as you seem to think. Your fate is already sealed."
I flinched, but I didn't look away from Dorian. I had no more words to offer him. The moment had passed.
Dorian was already lost to us.
Fallon's hand brushed against mine, a small touch, but one that anchored me. I looked down at her, meeting her eyes for just a moment. There was a quiet understanding between usâthis wasn't just about Dorian. This was about the world we were stepping into. And the fact that no matter what, we had to keep moving forward. We had to survive it.
"Take him," Aldric ordered, his voice like a final decree. "He will face judgment for his actions. And the consequences will be severe."
Without another word, Dorian was taken from us. And as the door closed behind him, sealing his fate, I couldn't help but feel a pang of loss. Because no matter what had happened, I had once called him family.
But that was before.
And now, I had to look forward.
"Let's go," I said, my voice heavy with a finality that hung in the air. "We've done what we came to do."
Fallon's gaze lingered on the door where Dorian had been taken, but she didn't say anything as we turned and left the room.
There was no turning back from this.