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∞ | Chapter 23 - Reality | ∞

Citadel Himmel, Sage Cliffs

"Is everything good?"

"I hope so," Jarek muttered as he wiped the soot away from his face. His eyes were stinging from the smoke and all he wanted to do was tend to his injured arm.

"What started the fire?" Darius pressed, brows furrowed as he took in the scene of the damaged Great Hall. The walls and the ceiling were blackened with soot and the stench of burnt items filled the air.

Thankfully, only a few had been injured and the fire put out with quick efficiency before it got out of hand and spread to the other parts of the castle. In fact, Darius had arrived just in time to see the fire being put out.

"Not sure, some said it was a knocked over candle while others said someone had dropped a lit cigarette onto something and that caused it all. I'm waiting for Farrah to give a report later."

Darius scowled and shook his head. His mind condemning the idiotic careless fool who was the cause of all this.

He watched as one of their soldiers carried a man away from the debris and deposited him to where some Medics were tending to the other injured people.

He eyed his surroundings, taking in the damage. No doubt the council members would start up a fight about them being unable to take care of a castle. First, the assassin and now the fire.

From the corner of his eye, Darius spotted Ava helping a woman along who was frozen in shock from the fire. As if she could feel his eyes on her, she looked up. He relaxed slightly and swallowed hard as Ava offered him a tentative smile before she quickly glanced away.

Things with Ava were never easy.

"Adrastea quite supports you with her, you know," Jarek commented lightly and Darius rolled his eyes.

"It's none of her business," he said roughly, his eyes seeking Ava out again.

"I just thought you should know."

Darius rolled the muscles in his back. "She ought to keep Rhydderch more on a leash seeing that he's turning her into someone quite like him now."

"Meaning?" Jarek questioned as he inspected the minor burn on his arm.

"The latest meeting? When has she ever done something like that? Threats and a smile all in one. Sounds familiar?"

Jarek laughed. "Maybe it's a good thing. They are good for each other."

"Maybe," Darius offered grudgingly. He had to admit - no matter how much it pained him to do so - that Adrastea Bones wasn't as bad as her useless brother like he had initially thought.

Jarek snorted before frowning. "Where is she by the way? Aren't you on guard duty?"

"She went ahead to warn Rhydderch and his sister," he grunted.

"Are you sure? The fire has been out for quite some time and Rhydderch is still nowhere to be seen," Jarek pointed out, eyes scanning the crowd for any sign of Rhydderch or Adrastea.

At that, Darius froze and slowly, his eyes met Jarek's. "No," he swallowed, "you can't possibly think-"

Both went silent before turning on their heels and scrambled their way up to the infirmary.

* * *

"A knife?" Rhydderch questioned lowly, a minute threat in his words and Izla shrugged. "She said she was your soulmate, I didn't trust her."

He rolled his eyes.

"You always said in the past you would get rid of your soulmate once you've found her. What changed?"

"Firstly," he began roughly as he cleared his throat. "That was years ago. Secondly, it's none of your damn business."

Izla tilted her head. "Your mark had something with you being on a table... Or something like that if I remember correctly. Kinky."

Rhydderch could feel his face heat up and he scowled at his sister. "Shut up," he snapped.

"She didn't look the type," Izla continued, the same blue eyes that he had peered at him with wry amusement. "Maybe that's why you kept her around."

"Izla," he glowered at her.

Suddenly, he felt like he was fifteen again and she thirteen. The sibling banter between them felt so natural that it didn't seem like years that they had been separated.

Once that thought entered his mind, his amusement faded.

"What went wrong?" he questioned under his breath and his sister seemed to hear it as her eyes faded.

"I thought I was the only one left," she said quietly, her eyes fixated on her ragged nails. "I knew that the drugs made me think of our family, made me even see them, but it was always forced down my throat, distorting life from reality. I could never escape until now."

Rhydderch remained absolutely still as he clenched his jaw hard. "They'll pay," he said forcefully and coldly, eyes lifting to meet hers.

"They will pay for everything they did to us. All of them. I swear it," he vowed, his very being choking with rage and the thirst for blood and vengeance.

Izla closed her eyes as she hugged her knees to her chest. "They will," she murmured softly and that very moment, she resembled the young naïve vulnerable girl she had been at thirteen.

"You're not going back," he snarled firmly and she nodded shakily.

"No, I'm not," she whispered, her entire countenance spoke of frailty and weakness, unlike the fearless assassin she had been trained to be.

Rhydderch opened his mouth to respond when the double doors of the infirmary burst open as Jarek and Darius stumbled in, eyes scanning the room wildly. But the only thing that he could focus on was the dark stains on Jarek and the smell of smoke in the air.

The second thing he noticed was the absence of his soulmate.

He frowned. The sight of what appeared to be soot on Jarek didn't bode well. The absence of Adrastea was another thing that made his stomach begin to sink.

"Thomas," Darius greeted reluctantly and already he could feel Izla's questioning gaze on him at the use of his surname.

"What happened?" he demanded roughly, choosing to ignore her.

"There was a fire," Jarek began hesitantly while Darius seemed to be still scanning the room.

"And?" he pressed.

"Adrastea should have informed you about it a while ago," Darius said shortly, meeting his eyes reluctantly.

His heart thumped and he shifted his jaw as anxiety crept up in him. "Well, where the hell is she?"

* * *

Carvensland

A pounding began in her head and distantly, she could feel her surroundings bumping jerkily.

Adrastea struggled to open her eyes despite her head feeling as if it was stuffed with cotton and when she did, she realised that she was in some vehicle and that Edmond was at the driver's seat.

A flash in her mind brought back everything: the fire, her running towards the infirmary to inform Rhydderch about it, her mild confrontation with Edmond and finally, him striking her.

Blinking furiously, she tried shaking her head to get her bearings. From what it looked like, Edmond had abducted her. The possibility of Edmond being the traitor in their midst had been confirmed by his most recent action.

Ironically, it didn't surprise her one bit.

Now, the only question was, where was Edmond taking her?

And as if on cue, the sudden darkness of her surroundings made her gape at the windows. The monstrous-looking cliffs and rocky surroundings answered her.

They were in the Carvensland. Home of Regnant Vlad Durant.

The sight of the looming Antro Tower geared her into action. Edmond may be driving but now that she was somewhat lucid and awake, she would fight her way out of this.

"What are you doing?" She demanded hotly, reaching out to the handle of the vehicle to only realise that her hands were bound to the seat of the vehicle. Her heart raced and she looked down at her feet to see that they too were tied up.

"Edmond," she began furiously. "What the hell is this?"

Her brother barely spared her a glance as he answered. "My task."

"Your task?" She repeated, eyes flashing.

"I've to prove my loyalty to Regnant Vlad and I'm taking you to him," Edmond replied nonchalantly as if he didn't just kidnap his only living relative to some violent individual.

She could only shake her head and stare helplessly at Edmond.

"Why? I'm your sister," Adrastea spat, her bound hands curling into fists. "I'm your family left! Why?"

"Vlad would reinstate the position and the influence that our family held before and that could only happen when the rebellion is gone," Edmond said carelessly and she could only gape at him in shock.

"Your flesh and blood for that?"

Finally, Edmond glared, mouth twisting into an ugly sneer. "I want power! Influence! And you've already proven to me that you're not on my side!"

Before she could come up with an appropriate response to that, the vehicle stopped and with her spat with Edmond, she hadn't realised that they had approached Antro Tower.

The door at her side opened and Adrastea's heart fell to her feet when she was met with the sight of Vlad Durant and a dozen Valiants standing behind him.

She closed her eyes as she was untied from her bonds and hauled out of the vehicle to be brought forward to the brutish Regnant.

"So you're the rebellion leader's pretty bird," he began, eyes studying her.

Adrastea's stomach turned at the way he was looking at her. "Pretty enough," he concluded and she set her face into a stony expression with her chin set out defiantly.

It didn't matter how badly her head was pounding or that her hands were matted with dry blood. No one could take away her dignity and there was no way she would beg for anything.

Vlad smirked as if he knew her thoughts before he turned to Edmond. "Your sister?"

Edmond gave a sharp nod. "Yes, sir."

"It seems that your loyalty to me is stronger to your family, then." It was a statement and not a question, Adrastea noted.

"Yes, sir," Edmond replied, stance straight and expression impassive.

Inwardly, she sneered, likening her brother to that of a dog begging for treats from his master. Outwardly, she clenched her jaw as she was dragged off with a sharp jerk of Vlad's head.

It wasn't long before she found herself in a hall and tied firmly to a stone carved chair. It would be impossible to break free, she thought grimly as she tested her restraints. They were done well and were made of metal, instead of the rope that was commonly used. She stared at her hands that were bound to the handles of the cold stone chair, flexing them as she contemplated her options.

There could be a chance that she would die today. But that wouldn't make sense, Edmond could have killed her a thousand times over but instead, she was brought here. It had to be a trap. A trap meant for Rhydderch and the rebellion.

For once, she hoped that Rhydderch would think and behave ruthlessly and not based on his emotions. Now, that was ironic, she snorted inwardly.

She eyed her surroundings perceptively. She could spot some Valiants standing guard in the dark corners of the hall watching her. She ignored them and turned to observe the area she was held in. If she hadn't been a victim, she would have found the hall she was in grand.

The hall was angular in shape despite it being made from hard granite and she could see carvings that had been made into the walls with such painstaking effort and detail. Adrastea noted that the area could fit about easily a few hundred people. There was a few set of doors that led to several parts of the castle but the elaborate double doors at the central wall caught her attention.

That would probably lead to the entrance of the castle, which, was also known as her exit. But that was only if she managed to get free of her bonds.

She studied her bonds and stared determinedly at the doors. She certainly wouldn't go down without a fight, she was made of sterner stuff. Adrastea knew that she had a fair chance of being tortured today and of course, she was afraid, but she was definitely not going to cower.

If she was meant to die today, so be it. But she would do so with her dignity.

Abruptly, the doors opened and she straightened her posture as Vlad's brutish figure entered the hall. She stared in distaste at the necklace of human bones hanging around his neck. How many had died and suffered because of that?

"I can see that you are settling in well," he began imperiously and she could only look at Edmond who was standing proudly beside the man who had killed thousands just for existing.

Adrastea decided to remain silent and waited for the pain to come.

"You are something to look at, but it is too bad that you are 'alf dirt," the Regnant commented and she forced herself to not react to the slur.

"I will spare you if you tell me everything you know about the rebellion and their plans," Vlad finished and peered down at her menacingly.

She met his eyes defiantly, chin raising before dismissing him by looking away.

"Well, if you refuse to cooperate," Vlad scowled, jaw clenching as he gestured to someone and before she knew it, someone had yanked the ends of her braid harshly, causing her neck to snap backwards painfully. The taste of copper filled her mouth as Adrastea bit her tongue hard to prevent herself from making any noise.

The next thing she knew, her head felt lighter and she was staring at the remnants of her hair in Vlad's hand. Already, she could tell her hair was a few inches past her shoulders and they were ragged and uneven.

"Nothing to say?" Vlad raised a brow at her silence as he hefted her hair, his fingers playing with the strands tauntingly and she forced her gaze to remain to the front, steadily ignoring him.

"This will be sent to the rebellion, I am sure your other 'alf will know that its yours," Vlad said and she blanched. Rhydderch will no doubt react to it and she just hoped that he would be rational.

Already, she could feel her hair fall to the sides of her face. "I'm still not going to cooperate," she said finally, eyes glaring and Vlad smirked.

"We'll see." A sharp blade filled her vision and she could only watch in frozen horror as the blade pressed sharply against her pale forearms.

It felt like a hot iron stoker was branding her. She gritted her teeth, watching helplessly as the blade went south, leaving sharp cuts on her skin. Blood was welling up and she could only suck in air through her clenched teeth.

God, it hurt so much! It was as if her whole being was screaming from the pain. A short respite was given when the blade was lifted up and a gloved hand nudged her chin upwards roughly to meet the gaze of Vlad.

"Are you now willing to share the information?"

Her mouth twisted into a sneer as she spat at his feet.

The Regnant let out a wicked laugh and with another sharp jerk to his head, the blade was pressed into her other arm and she could only gasp in pain silently.

It was agony.

Pure unflinching agony.

It certainly didn't help when she was forcing herself to not make a single sound.

When the blade left her arm, sweat was beading on her forehead and she was panting heavily while taking deep uneven breaths. Her heart was pounding erratically as she stared at her bleeding arms.

Vlad circled around her and she swallowed hard. "Still wishing to be silent?"

She ignored him and instead, concentrated on breathing through the pain.

"Nothing? Alright then," Vlad continued and smirked. "Your brother told me that your rebellion leader is very appreciative of your skills," he began and dread curled in her gut as she stared at Edmond who was watching her unfazed.

Something ugly like hatred bloomed in her chest as their eyes met.

"What would happen if I took away that skill of yours? Would your Rhydderch Thomas still want you?" he finished cruelly and she watched in growing horror as a Valiant stepped up beside her and stretched her fingers out. A gleam of an iron hammer caught her eye and she realised what was going to happen.

They would break every single finger she had. Undoubtedly, this would cause her to be unable to perform her duties as a Medic.

"No!" she gasped out and began struggling in her bonds, trying to pull her hands away from the hammer that was approaching. The thought of being unable to do her job - a job that she loved and adored killed her.

"Stop! Please!" She cried out and Vlad chuckled wickedly. "Finally, a reaction. Was the thought of 'im not valuing you anymore did the trick to loosen your mouth?"

It wasn't of course. But now, Adrastea realised that she would rather die than betray Rhydderch or anyone from the rebellion just to save herself. She would never be like her brother.

"No," she shook her head. "I'm still not going to say anything," she said quietly, already bracing herself for the excruciating pain to come when the hammer landed on her fingers.

"Insolent filth!" Vlad barked out and slapped her viciously across the face.

The impact of that very action made her head snap to the other direction and it caused her vision to blur. She had almost forgotten about the head injury caused by her brother and coupled with the hard slap, she was finding it hard to concentrate on anything.

Everything was turning blurry but no, she couldn't lose it. She wouldn't. Adrastea forced herself to focus but a repeated blow caused everything to blur even more.

Suddenly, everything became almost muted and she could barely acknowledge the sight of the double doors exploding. Bright flashes met her eyes and she shut her eyes to block them out.

With the hits to her head and her head pounding, her vision was definitely not at its best. She was seeing double of everything and whatever she was hearing was muted.

She shook her head to see men fighting and the next thing she saw was Rhydderch in front of her.

God, she hoped that he was alright. He seemed to be shouting something, but for the life of her, she couldn't seem to hear or understand it. In fact, it seemed that he was shaking her but she couldn't really feel it.

Suddenly, she felt like she was being swung up and she could feel her head lolling on an arm and dimly, she could see bodies on the ground.

That included Edmond.

From what she could see, her brother was on the ground, eyes wide open and there was a pool of blood around his head.

A hand nudged the side of her head gently and she closed her eyes. A feeling of peace settled over her. Somehow, she knew that she was safe and that made everything better.

Despite that, her head was pounding unbearably and she struggled to open her eyes to stay awake.

"Rest," a familiar deep voice urged and the next thing she knew was that she finally gave into the dark abyss of unconsciousness.

* * *

The sound of rustling and movements made her stir. Opening her eyes, Adrastea was met with the bright lights that often came with an infirmary.

She squinted and turned her head to see Rhydderch standing at her side, eyes narrowed. "Rhydderch?" She began with difficulty. God, her throat was as dry as the desert. "Where am I?"

"You're in the infirmary. Again."

It would take a complete idiot to miss the hardness in his voice.

"Oh," she mumbled and gingerly, she pressed her fingers against her head and was met with the gauze on her head. At that, she quickly glanced at her forearms to see bandages on them as well.

"How long has it been?" she queried quietly.

"Three days."

She stared blankly at her arms, trying to process it all. Had she really been tortured with her own brother watching? Apparently, yes. But what scared her the most was that she almost lost the ability to do what she loved. How much more pain would they inflict on her if Rhydderch hadn't arrived? The gravity of whatever she had been through welled up in her.

A choked sob sounded and she hugged her knees to her chest. She had almost lost it all.

The bed sunk down to an unknown weight and she looked up to see Rhydderch staring at her impassively but she could see the emotions in his eyes.

Slowly, she felt herself being lifted and pressed to a familiar chest. She didn't have to look up to know that Rhydderch was attempting to comfort her even though he would be highly uncomfortable. But it didn't matter. It was the thought behind his actions that counted and it made her treasure him even more.

"You're here," she said hoarsely, trying to breathe through the pain of her injuries.

"I am," he replied softly and she allowed herself to cry into his chest.

* * *

A/N: Hope you guys enjoyed this! My exams have finally ended so I'll have more free time to update this! My goal is to finish this book before April! Hopefully.

Chapter dedicated to @AvidReader808 :)