“No,” he says, stopping at the base of the stairs. “You came to find me because Aspen is feeling the exact same thing you are. And you’re too damn stubborn to admit it.”
The words hit like a gut punch, and I hate that he’s right. The ache in my chest hasn’t let up since the moment Kaia collapsed. It’s only gotten stronger, worse, like something is missing. Like something is breaking inside me, piece by piece.
Malrik watches me for a long moment. “You know why that is, don’t you?”
I shake my head, pushing past him. “We’re wasting time.”
Malrik doesn’t follow immediately. When he speaks again, his voice is quieter, but no less certain.
“This isn’t just about Aspen, Torric.”
I don’t answer, because I don’t want to hear it. Aspen is the one breaking. And I don’t know how to stop it.
I find him on the balcony, gripping the railing like it’s the only thing keeping him upright. His knuckles are white, his breath controlled too carefully.
“She’s not yours, you know.”
Malrik’s voice is casual, but Aspen goes rigid. I feel it too, something sharp and defensive twisting in my gut.
Aspen exhales slowly. “I know.”
Malrik steps closer. “Do you?”
Aspen doesn’t answer.
Malrik doesn’t let it go. “You think you’ve lost her.”
Aspen laughs, but it’s empty. “Haven’t I?”
And damn it, that question does something to me. Because it’s not just Aspen who feels it. It’s me. Every time Kaia’s shadows curl toward someone else first. Every time she hesitates before meeting my gaze. Every time I think about the moment she collapsed and I wasn’t fast enough.
It’s been clawing at me since that night in the corrupted forest. Since the berserker inside us awakened and we let the monsters out.
I thought whatever this was between us would snap into place after that, that it would settle the ache I’ve felt since the moment I met her. But it hasn’t. It’s only gotten worse.
Malrik leans against the railing, his silver eyes unreadable. “You felt it the second she went down, didn’t you?” His voice is quieter now, sharper. “Like something inside you broke.”
I don’t breathe. Because yes. I did.
Aspen swallows. His voice is rough when he finally speaks. “What are you saying?”
Malrik glances between us. “You both feel the connection to her. But it’s incomplete.”
A cold weight settles in my chest.
Aspen tenses beside me. “What do you mean?”
Malrik exhales, shaking his head. “You think this is just about Kaia? That it’s just her fate being decided?” He levels us both with a look. “You felt it. You both did.”
Neither of us answer. We don’t have to.
Malrik nods like he already knew. “The ache in your chest? The pull that’s only getting stronger? It’s not just in your head.” His gaze sharpens. “It’s a bond. An ancient one.”
I stiffen.
Aspen swears under his breath, dragging a hand down his face.
Malrik keeps going. “She doesn’t just need one of us. She needs all of us.”
