Hold it

Rian’s footsteps echoed down the cold stone corridor as he approached the cells, his heart heavy with a mix of emotions he couldn’t quite untangle. The news of Ely’s betrayal had struck him like a blow to the chest, winding him in a way that battles and wounds never had. He hadn’t seen her since she’d turned herself in, and now, standing outside her cell, he wasn’t sure what he’d find—or if he even wanted to know. He was still reeling, trying to reconcile the woman he’d come to care for with the one who had deceived him, deceived Madeline.

He paused just outside her cell, his breath catching as he glimpsed her inside. She looked smaller than he remembered, her usual confidence dimmed, replaced with an air of resignation. He clenched his fists, fighting to hold onto the hurt and confusion swirling inside him.

Finally, he spoke, his voice quieter than he intended, but laced with an edge of hurt. Why, Ely? he asked, his tone raw. After everything we went through together… everything I felt… He trailed off, the words catching in his throat. He’d come here seeking answers, but now that he was facing her, he wasn’t sure if any answer would ever be enough.

You could have told me, he continued, a touch of bitterness slipping through. You knew how much I trusted you. How much I… cared.

@Aelynthi Loraronna

Whenever she heard steps, Ael thought that it would be the last time that she would heard them. She didn’t understand why they kept on feeding and giving her water if in the end she was to meet the axe. It was a waste of resources, in her humble opinion specially now that Orlesian refugees were fleeing to West Hills.

“I promised you that you’d regret trusting me, but you never listened” she said quietly, her voice trembling a little. From all the places for him to confess that he felt something, did he have to do it now? To make her take another regret to the grave? “I didn’t have a choice. I had to do it or suffer a worse fate than death and one day I realized that I preferred that than to finish the job” she said crossing her arms in front of her chest. “If it helps…in another life things would have been different”

There was a brief pause “Listen, I have something important to say” she said interrupting the conversation “The spell to maintain your mind in…you know” she said quietly “It’s finished, it’s under my bed in a loose board. Grab it and give it to a mage before someone else sees it” she said with urgency. He had to take it, her last gift to him.

Rian stood frozen in place, his hands gripping the bars of the cell tightly as Ely’s trembling voice filled the space between them. Her words struck him in a way he wasn’t prepared for—half defense, half confession. He’d come seeking clarity, but instead, he felt his emotions tangling further, knots tightening in his chest.

You think saying ‘I didn’t have a choice’ makes it easier to hear? he asked, his tone sharper than he intended. That it takes away the fact that you lied? That you used me? I would’ve fought for you, Ely. Maker knows, I would’ve done whatever it took to keep you safe. But you didn’t trust me enough to even try.

His voice broke on the last word, and he took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. He could see the pain in her eyes, the regret she tried to hide behind her crossed arms and quiet defiance. It should’ve made it easier to be angry, but it didn’t.

When she spoke again, the shift in her tone caught him off guard. Urgency replaced resignation, and her words hit him like a cold splash of water. He blinked, confused.

What are you talking about? The spell? His brows furrowed as he studied her, trying to understand the meaning behind her words. Why would you still have something like that? I thought you said... He trailed off, his voice softening as he realized the weight of what she was asking.

Ely’s urgency stirred something in him—her final attempt at making amends, perhaps. It wasn’t enough to undo the damage she’d done, but it was something. He nodded slowly, his grip on the bars loosening as his resolve hardened.

Fine. I’ll get it. But don’t think this changes anything between us, Ely. His voice cracked slightly, despite his attempt to sound resolute. He stepped back from the bars, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer. In another life, maybe things would’ve been different. But this is the one we have. And in this one... He hesitated, the weight of his words pressing down on him. In this one, I don’t know how to forgive you yet.

@Aelynthi Loraronna