Page 14 of Beyond the Treaty
“I won’t let them win,” I whisper, my voice becoming stronger. “Not the Council, not the bond. None of it.”
Azrael smiles faintly, a blend of relief and pride illuminating his face. “Then we’ll make them regret ever underestimating you.”
The storm within me begins to calm, a flicker of resolve cutting through the chaos. The path ahead is uncertain, but for the first time, I feel as though it’s mine to choose.
I stare at Azrael, his words igniting in my mind like embers that refuse to fade. For so long, I’ve been bound to the path others have carved for me, with every step dictated by the treaty, the Council, and now the bond with Kaelen. But here, in this moment, Azrael’s unwavering belief in my strength begins to break the chains I’ve grown so accustomed to bearing.
“I want to believe you,” I murmur, my voice betraying the vulnerability I attempt to suppress. “I want to believe I have a choice, but it’s not that simple, Azrael. If I defy the treaty, there will be war. The Council won’t hesitate to destroy me or Kaelen for their control.”
Azrael steps closer, his presence a wave of warmth against
the cold weight of my words. “Then we fight,” he says, as if the answer is as natural as breathing.
I shake my head, frustration swelling within me. “It’s not only about fighting! Can’t you understand? It’s about those who will suffer if I make the wrong choice. The people under Kaelen’s protection, the innocents in Ebonshade and beyond, they’ll be caught in the crossfire. How can I condemn them to that fate?”
His jaw tightens, and for a brief moment, the fire in his eyes fades, giving way to a softer, sadder gaze. “You’ve always bornethe weight of the world, Elara. But what about you? What about your life, your freedom, your happiness? When do you get to be important?”
His words struck me like a blow to the chest, unleashing the doubts and fears I’ve tried to bury. My breath catches, the knot in my throat tightening. “I don’t know,” I admit, my voice trembling. “I don’t even know if I matter anymore. All I’ve done is survive, Azrael. Survive and endure, because that’s all I know how to do.”
He reaches out then, his hand cupping my cheek with a tenderness that seems at odds with the storm brewing behind his eyes. “You do matter, Elara. To me, you always have. And if you can’t see it yet, I’ll fight for you until you do. Until you believe it as much as I do.”
The vulnerability in his touch and the raw conviction in his voice, it’s almost overwhelming. My walls, already worn thin, start to crack under the pressure of his resolve.
“And Kaelen?” The question slips from my lips, barely a whisper. “What will happen if I choose to fight, Azrael? What will happen to him?”
Azrael’s hand falls slowly, and his expression hardens,
though a shadow of pain lingers in his eyes. “That’s up to him. If Kaelen is the man you think he is, he’ll stand with you. But if he chooses to side with the Council and opts for their chains over freedom... then he has already lost himself.”
His words cut deeper than I expected, and I look away, the image of Kaelen bound by forces that neither of us can control, slicing through my thoughts like a blade.
“I don’t know if I can fight both of you,” I whisper, the truth unravelling from within. “I’m bound to Kaelen, but my heart...” My voice falters, the words catching in my throat.
Azrael steps back, his warmth receding, yet his presence remains unwavering. “You don’t have to decide tonight, Elara. But know this: whatever path you choose, I’m here. For you. Always.”
The weight of his words hangs between us, thick and unyielding. As the night stretches on, the threads of destiny tighten around me, threatening to pull me in a hundred directions at once. Yet, for the first time in what feels like an eternity, a faint flicker stirs deep within, an ember of hope that refuses to be extinguished.
CHAPTER 10
The decision solidifies in my mind, both fragile and resolute. The Council has orchestrated this nightmare, pulling the strings of fate while Kaelen and I remain mere pawns in their game. I refuse to let it stand without uncovering the truth behind their schemes. I turn to Azrael, the fire in my gaze finally meeting his. “I refuse to be their weapon. If the Council believes they can use me, I’ll give them something they won’t expect: defiance. But I can’t fight blindly, Azrael. I need to understand what they’re planning, and why.”
A flicker of approval crosses his face, though his tone remains steady. “Good. Then we’ll do this together. The Council is cautious, but not invincible. If they’ve gone to such lengths to manipulate you and Kaelen, there are cracks in their foundation. We need to uncover them.”
I nod, feeling the enormity of the task pressing down on my chest. “I can’t do this alone,” I admit, my voice softer. “And Kaelen... he deserves to know what’s at stake. But if I tell him too soon...”
Azrael’s expression darkens, and the fire in his eyes cools into something sharper. “If you tell him now, you risk alerting the Council. Kaelen is strong, but his loyalty to the treaty andthe bond could cause him to hesitate. We can’t afford hesitation until we know exactly what we’re up against.”
His words sting, piercing the part of me that wants to believe Kaelen would stand by me unconditionally. But I know Azrael is right. The bond between Kaelen and me complicates
everything, leaving me ensnared between trust and fear.
“So, where do we begin?” I ask, trying to steady my voice despite the turmoil churning within me. Azrael crosses his arms, his brow furrowed as he thinks. “The Council’s power
isn’t absolute. They depend on their network of informants, enforcers, and ancient magic. If we can disrupt even one part of their web, we’ll compel them to react. And when they do, we’ll uncover the truth.”
A spark of an idea flickers in my mind, faint but promising. “The scroll,” I exclaim suddenly. “The one you gave me it’s proof of their lies. There must be more: documents, records,
something that reveals their true intentions.”