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∞ | Chapter 25 - Trust | ∞

Antro Tower, Carvensland

It had been a week and three days since the Incident. And there was still no word from Vlad and the group of his loyal followers who managed to escape.

Deep down, Adrastea hoped that perhaps Vlad and his men had died in some skirmish but she knew that was just wishful thinking.

She stared at the journal on the desk and skimmed through it carefully. The Medics of the castle had left behind rather incredible notes on medicine and possible treatment and reading it now, she was rather inspired.

"How's your head?"

The cool nonchalant voice startled her and Adrastea jumped slightly before looking up to see Izla watching her impassively from the doorway into her office at the infirmary.

Hastily, she set down the pen and gave her full attention to the woman. "I'm much better. Thank you for asking," she replied warmly before turning to her. "How about you? Are you adapting well?"

"If you're asking if I'm mentally well. I would affirm you that yes I am," Izla replied dryly before stepping further into the room.

She noted with relief that Izla's appearance had improved drastically. Gone were the sallow pale complexion and the horrifying skeletal frame and gaunt face. Izla seemed to have a healthy glow, her eyes weren't circled with dark shadows nor did the dress she wore hung loosely around her frame.

"You do look better," she agreed before smiling. "How have you been? Has everyone treated you well?"

Izla tilted her head. "With suspicion, yes."

"Oh."

"I wanted to visit you but Rhydderch said you needed your rest," Izla continued as she sat on one of the chairs facing her desk. "But I can see that you're feeling much better especially with the red bite on the side of your neck."

"What?" Adrastea fumbled with the mirror she kept in the drawers and blushed furiously when she spotted the mark on the right side of her neck. How had she missed it this morning?

"Uhm, I." She stumbled gaped at Izla who laughed.

She was utterly surprised by the sound that came from Izla's lips. It was a tinkling sort of laughter that made you want to smile.

Adrastea marvelled at the difference that had taken place in Izla and she was just glad that Rhydderch's sister would have a chance to live a normal life after everything she had gone through.

Izla really was pretty. With the dark curls that tumbled down in lovely waves and the big haunting blue eyes that she and Rhydderch shared, she was sure to attract attention. With the addition of the aristocratic haughty features that she had, Izla was indeed blessed.

"I never expected my brother to have that sort of nature but I'm not complaining."

Adrastea didn't know if it was possible to stop her face from flushing but she really ought to do something about it.

"What about you?" She asked.

Izla frowned. "What exactly about me?"

"Have you met your soulmate? The mark?"

The look on Izla's face made her wish that she hadn't opened her mouth. "I'm sorry if you thought I was prying. If you don't wish to share anything with me, it's fine. I won't take offence," she rushed out quickly.

"I have nothing to share," Izla said as she met her gaze. "I haven't met the person and I don't want to."

Adrastea blinked. "Why not?"

"I would have to share everything about me to my soulmate and how would you think that said person would react? I don't think I can trust someone to that extent."

She didn't know how to react or what to say to Izla who had adopted a mechanical manner of speaking.

"Well," she began hesitantly. "I didn't trust Rhydderch at the beginning. I wanted nothing to do with him at the start."

A faint smile formed on Izla's face.

"I thought he was arrogant, rude, overbearing and I was right. He was all that and more. But somehow, things happened and here we are," Adrastea finished awkwardly.

It was a little strange to talk and explain about the relationship that she shared with Rhydderch but here it was.

A strange look appeared on Izla's face as she bent forward. "Do you really trust him then?"

An odd feeling crept up in her gut as she met Izla's gaze. "Yes."

"How much do you think you know my brother? He has secrets. Did you know that?" she said coolly in that nonchalant tone of hers.

Adrastea eyed Izla warily. "What secrets?"

"It wouldn't be a secret if I told you now, would it?" Izla tilted her head as she observed her counterpart.

"How would you know his secrets?" she questioned carefully.

To be honest, she didn't know how much she could trust Izla. Until she was sure of where Izla's loyalties were, she would make sure that she wouldn't reveal a thing.

Izla smiled. A smile that unnerved her. "You don't have to be concerned about me. I'm not a spy nor a traitor. My loyalty is to my brother."

Adrastea refrained from reacting to that. It was as if Izla had read her mind.

"Tell me," Izla began. "Did you know my brother made deals? I know he did, you don't have to lie."

She decided to be silent, neither confirming or denying anything.

Izla smiled. "Wise choice in choosing to stay silent. Now," she paused, studying Adrastea. "What is my brother's full name?"

Adrastea blinked. That was a question she hadn't been expecting.

"Rhydderch Thomas," she replied slowly, gauging Izla's reaction.

In turn, Rhydderch's sister straightened before sighing. "I see."

"See what?" she frowned.

Izla shook her head and stood up before trailing around the room in deceptive fragility. "I like you Adrastea. I really do. You're good for him. And because of that, I would like to say that my brother hasn't been exactly truthful to you."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Adrastea stood up. "If you're saying that your family are Affluents, I already know that."

Izla smirked. A very Rhydderch-like smirk.

"That's true, yes. But if Rhydderch hasn't said anything to you, neither shall I," she nodded her head. "I bid you a good day."

Adrastea watched with varying degrees of unease and doubt as Izla walked out of the room. But just as Izla reached the doorway, she paused and turned on her heel and met her gaze squarely.

"Do not be mistaken that I'm attempting to create a rift between you and Rhydderch. I just want you to have an open mind," Izla said softly. With that, she was gone.

She sank back onto her chair, confusion and doubt warring within her from the turmoil that Izla had caused.

What on earth had she meant?

Whatever it was, she didn't like not knowing. And truthfully, she was a tad offended and disappointed as to why Rhydderch would inform his sister of things that she didn't know. Not to mention, Izla had been in the enemy's clutches for more than a decade. Fully trusting her was a fool's errand and Adrastea didn't think that Rhydderch would trust Izla implicitly.

Apparently, she was wrong.

Again, whatever had Izla said brought up the doubt she had buried deep. It was true, there were things that Rhydderch hadn't been telling her. He didn't lie of course, but there were things he omitted.

There were the 'deals' that he made with someone he likened to as 'the Devil'. She still wasn't sure what that meant. She was also pretty sure that he hadn't exactly told her the full story of his background like the history of his parents, his family and where he was from.

She did know he came from a family of Affluents and that he was about four years older than her and that he had gone into the slave mines when he was fifteen. However, there was that part of the story that didn't make sense. Why would anyone send a member of an Affluent family to the slave mines and another to be on a hangman's noose?

And now, Izla had practically implied to her that Rhydderch had secrets that was important and hadn't informed her.

She wasn't sure what to feel.

Adrastea got to her feet and wandered over to the windows and glanced out. The sky was turning grey from the upcoming storm and she didn't know if it was a sign. The dark grey clouds that were approaching seemed ominous. If she stared hard enough, the clouds seemed to look like a skull. A sense of foreboding tugged in her gut and Adrastea quickly turned away from the window.

She didn't believe in having to know all of your counterpart's secrets but if it involved her, she had to know. The fact that Rhydderch had already admitted to making deals that involved the rebellion made her leave the room.

She needed answers.

* * *

Hunting down Rhydderch when he was busy manipulating or scheming was difficult.

Even more so with the two soldiers trailing her every move. Rhydderch had not taken any more chances where her safety was concerned.

She certainly wasn't going to complain, not when their presence made her feel safer. Even more so in an environment that she wasn't familiar with. Adrastea may have complained that Rhydderch could be overbearing but she appreciated it at times like this.

Antro Tower was large and full of areas she hadn't looked around yet, hence her unwillingness to poke around in rooms on her own. Being kidnapped and tortured gave her a newfound wariness that she needed and heeded.

After what seemed like an hour, she finally managed to catch Rhydderch in deep discussion with Darius in a corner of the Great Hall where she had been tortured.

Faltering at the images that surged into her mind from stepping foot here, she paused and blinked furiously, determined to not let the events of the past affect her.

And of course, Rhydderch spotted her almost immediately and with a quick nod to Darius, he walked over to her.

"What are you doing here? You told me you would be busy with the journals the previous Medics left behind."

She looked up at him, wondering if she could discover the secrets that he had just by studying his face closely and carefully.

"I would like to speak to you in private," she said stiffly and Rhydderch frowned, his face forming an irritated glance. Without saying anything, he dismissed the soldiers behind her with a curt nod before leading her to a room he had adopted as his study.

"What is it?" He demanded, crossing his arms as he regarded her with narrowed eyes.

She stared at him, the unease that had formed earlier grew. "What are you not telling me?"

Rhydderch recoiled visibly and it happened so fast that if she hadn't seen it for herself, she would have missed it and within seconds, he was back to his impassive self.

"What are you talking about?" he asked dismissively.

She narrowed her eyes. The reaction that he had given was tangible proof.

"You told me in the past that you made deals. What were they?" She took a step closer to him.

Rhydderch straightened. "What or who brought this interrogation on?" he asked quietly, jaw tense and she stumbled.

"Nothing and no one!" She said quickly - too quickly - and Rhydderch narrowed his eyes further. "I know that you're not telling me something. What is it?"

"I don't quite get what you mean," he replied smoothly and a tad dangerously and she took another step towards him until they were mere inches apart.

"I know you're not telling me something and that something involves the rebellion somehow," she said in growing frustration at Rhydderch's continual avoidance of the topic.

"Who put these ideas into your head?"

"She didn't-" Adrastea cut herself off and began cursing herself inwardly, knowing that she said too much.

A satisfied glint appeared in his eyes. "She who? Izla?"

Adrastea turned silent. How was it that she always fell for the traps that Rhydderch laid out for her?

Goddamnit.

Rhydderch took a step towards her, cornering her against the walnut oak desk behind her. "What exactly has Izla been whispering in your ear?" he asked darkly and the tone of his bade her to not lie.

Her shoulders slumped and she met his hard stare. "She implied that you weren't being forthcoming with me. She told me to keep an open mind and she asked me if I knew what your full name was."

With each word that left her lips, Rhydderch grew tenser and his eyes darkened.

"What exactly are you not telling me, Rhydderch?" she asked quietly. "Don't you trust me enough?"

Rhydderch's head snapped towards her and a furious gleam entered those blue eyes of his. "You know I do. But there are some things that are best left unsaid," he almost growled at her.

"Bullshit!" she snapped, finally giving in to her irritation.

"It is not," he retorted, rising to his full height as he stared her down. "By not knowing certain things, you would be in less danger!"

"I'm already in danger because I'm your soulmate! What difference would it make? Torture? A target on my back? It already happened!" she argued fiercely and Rhydderch's jaw clenched.

Receiving no reply, she took the chance and stared pleadingly at him. "Please, what's going on? You know you can trust me."

Rhydderch stared down at her, eyes flashing as his mouth twisted into a sneer. "Maybe you can't trust me to withhold certain things for your own good. Maybe you're the one with trust issues."

She recoiled backwards as if she was slapped.

Of everything he was accusing her of, that hurt the most. But did she really trust him? What was she talking about? Of course, she did! It was just his easy manner of twisting and manipulating people.

"Are you really accusing me of that?" she demanded indignantly.

"Are you really asking me if I'm accusing you of not being capable of trusting me?" Rhydderch shot back.

She gritted her teeth and glared. She really hated it when he got all defensive. "All I wanted to know is what exactly you're not saying or have omitted out."

"You have no right to question me or to demand answers from me," Rhydderch snarled and she stared at him, hurt and shock warring within her.

Silence reigned in the quiet study and she simply gaped up at him.

"I see," she finally said and took another step back. "May I have your permission to leave then?"

Rhydderch scowled. "That's not what I meant and you know it!"

"No," she retorted. "I don't know! I thought we were at the stage where we were free to speak about anything to each other. I guess I was wrong. I apologise for speaking out of turn. If you'll excuse me."

She gave an exaggerated bow and turned on her heel to leave the study while fighting the tidal waves of emotions crashing against her.

It had been a long time since Rhydderch had been so cool and distant with her that it hurt. She had forgotten about the manipulative snake that lived and breathed under his skin. So well he had hidden it that she forgot that her soulmate was as scheming and untrusting of anyone.

All because she had lived a pretty illusion of them having a normal relationship just because they were fucking, she thought cruelly as sharp arrows lanced through her heart, causing it to ache unbearably.

However, the firm grasp on her arm made her turn, stumble and crash into Rhydderch's chest.

Clumsily, she grabbed onto his coat to steady herself as Rhydderch's hands held onto her forearms firmly.

"I don't know what's going on, but I wasn't done speaking."

The angry tone that had an undercurrent of irritation made her look up and turbulent grey clashed with raging blue.

"The reason I'm not letting you know some things is to keep you safe, haven't you thought about that?" He demanded as he stared her down.

"How is that keeping me safe?" she asked.

"When you're ignorant of certain things, you're less likely to get hurt," he said.

"What are you talking about?" Adrastea was perplexed and by the indecision on Rhydderch's face, her heart became lighter. "I didn't know certain things and already, I got attacked several times, kidnapped and tortured. Would there be any difference if I knew whatever you were hiding?"

Rhydderch turned silent and his face grew grave.

"You could die," he murmured softly.

She stared at him, wondering if he was manipulating her but the raw emotion in his eyes made it plain as day that he was serious and was deeply worried that if she knew what he was hiding, her life would be in even more danger.

The ache in her heart faded as she regarded the man in front of her.

"Alright," she nodded, head dipping down before she lifted it to meet his eyes. "I won't ask anymore. I trust you."

Rhydderch swallowed and he pulled her closer. "I don't know what I would do if you died."

She shrugged and smiled. "Probably moan and whine that everyone around you is incompetent?"

"That is true," he agreed before tilting her chin upwards as he pressed his lips against hers.

Her heart thumped and she wrapped her arms around his neck, drawing him closer.

She didn't like arguing with him. It was something that left her unsettled. It was as if something was out of place if she and Rhydderch were not on civil terms. She had gone a full two days of refusing to speak to him once when they had disagreed on something and it left her feeling as if a part of her was missing.

Adrastea abhorred it.

She moved her mouth against his with equal vigour, desperate to make it up to him after the brief argument that they had that left a sour taste in her mouth.

"I'm sorry if you thought that I didn't trust you enough," she said against his lips as he kissed her.

Rhydderch didn't respond but instead, deepened the kiss, cupping the back of her head while grasping her hair, his fingers playing with the shorter curls that once hung down to the small of her back but was now at her shoulders.

She didn't know how long they had been standing there but she was the one who pulled away before resting her forehead on his.

From that position, she could see the pulse in his throat had sped up and she grinned, pulling her head away from him to observe him.

Abruptly, the door bursts open and immediately, their heads swung towards the intruder who invaded their personal haven. Adrastea noted that Rhydderch didn't pull away from her and she resisted from smiling like a loon.

Darius flushed and cleared his throat as he avoided looking at them.

"What is it?"

Was it her or did Rhydderch seem irritated that they had been interrupted?

Darius straightened and slowly, she pulled away from Rhydderch.

"Vlad sent a challenge. Endyr's Cliff in two hours."

Immediately Rhydderch sprung to action and she gaped. "Endyr's Cliff?" she repeated. That sounded horribly awful.

Darius nodded and she watched her soulmate slipped something out of a drawer in his desk before arming himself with the familiar pistol and knives that he shoved into his boots.

Uneasiness crept up her spine at the thought of people especially Rhydderch getting into a battle once more. God, could nothing ever go right?

"Be careful," she warned urgently as Rhydderch slipped a dagger at his hips.

"You know I always am," he replied smoothly and she resisted pointing out examples where he wasn't. "You'll stay here, won't you?"

She hesitated and Rhydderch gripped her forearm. "Promise me," he pressed.

She met his gaze. "I promise that I'll stay here only if I have to," she stated firmly and Rhydderch's eyes narrowed at her choice of words.

"Rhydderch, we have to go now," Darius called, looking extremely uncomfortable at interrupting them.

Rhydderch straightened and she pressed a chaste kiss on his mouth. "Stay safe," she breathed out and he gave her a nod before leaving.

She watched helplessly as he left the room with Darius following after him. The lightning streaking across the sky nor the dark clouds approaching did nothing to ease her nerves.

There was something prickling at her consciousness that seemed intent to warn her about the events today. No, it was just nerves that she was feeling for those who had gone off to fight, she assured herself as she entered her office in the infirmary and dug out the journals she had been working on earlier.

As time passed, the uneasy feeling grew and she glanced out of the window. Some would call it the sixth sense but she knew it was a gut feeling; an instinct that warned her when something was amiss.

It was the same feeling she had the night the Tchovosky twins had died in the Sage Cliffs.

Making up her mind, she pulled out the pistol that Rhydderch had gifted her so long ago and shoved it into her pocket before running out of the infirmary.

Somehow, something was about to go terribly wrong.

"Where are you going?"

She jumped and met Izla's impassioned gaze on hers. "What are you doing here? Why didn't you go with Rhydderch and the rest?"

"I'm your bodyguard."

The unsaid implication was clear. Izla was there to ensure that she didn't leave the castle.

Adrastea should have expected that Rhydderch would do something like this but she would berate him later.

"I'm going to Endyr's Cliff and there's nothing you can do to stop me. Something is going to go wrong and I can't stay here knowing that I could do something," she rushed out and Izla regarded her impassively and nodded.

They arrived in the heat of the battle.

Around her, men were engaged in combat and the sound of arrows and pistols being fired were joined with the slashing sounds of blades and agonised cries.

"You can go help! I'll be fine!" She hissed to Izla who looked as if she was itching to join the fray.

Izla hesitated before plunging headfirst, killing two men instantly with well-positioned daggers.

Now, where was Rhydderch?

She scanned the area, hoping to catch a glimpse of the rebellion leader. Every part of her mind was screaming at her to ensure that he was safe.

There!

Her eyes caught sight of him and her heart leapt to only sink in dread and terror as Rhydderch was caught in Vlad's hold. He was clearly struggling and his head was off the edge of the cliff.

Adrastea clenched her hands into fists as his body struggled to maintain his balance while he tried to fight Vlad off.

It was some unspoken miracle that the edge of the cliff could withstand both their weight and not crumble into the waiting abyss of rock and sea.

Every nerve she had was screaming for her to run to him and help.

And so, she did.

And as if in slow motion, she grabbed the pistol from her pockets and within seconds, she was sprinting towards Rhydderch.

She ran passed people fighting and she almost slipped to the ground from how wet it was. A detached part of her brain noted the grass was slick from rain and blood.

No, none of that now, she had to move to the right, there was a body there. She leapt over the fallen man and continued running whole dodging those that were engaged in combat.

Right now, she didn't care about the rebellion or about the others fighting. All she cared about what Rhydderch and that he was alright and that he was to stay alive.

The wind and the rain met her face and stung her eyes but she ignored it and by now, she could only watch in frozen horror as Vlad had managed to get onto his feet and was now slowly edging Rhydderch to the border of the cliff.

Without thinking, she raised the pistol and aimed - just like Rhydderch had taught her so many months ago - and without any hesitation, she fired.

Adrastea didn't even wait for Vlad's body to hit the ground. She knew for sure that the bullet had met its intended target when she heard a roar of pain that resounded across the area.

The wound she had given Vlad caused Rhydderch to gain the advantage over the larger man and she paused, catching her breath and watched as they grasped at each other.

She knew Rhydderch was gifted in combat and so was Vlad. However, with Rhydderch having a leaner build, he was faster on his feet and managed to dodge crushing blows before landing equally deadly ones onto his counterpart.

She watched as Rhydderch held Vlad in what looked like a chokehold before slipping a dagger and plunged it into his gut before releasing him.

Her chest, no, her whole being sagged in relief at that before she bolted towards him. And as if he could sense her presence, Rhydderch turned around and gaped at her as she beamed widely at him.

The look on his face changed into a relieved grin as she crashed into his arms.

"You're okay," she breathed out into his ear as his arms banded around her.

She didn't care if he was matted with blood and dirt, she too was covered in the same substance.

Rhydderch opened his mouth to reply when suddenly, he was tugged away harshly and her smile turned into a gasp of horror as Rhydderch seemed to tumble backwards off the cliff.

"Rhydderch!" She screamed as she leapt and landed on the ground, her hand outstretched as she watched Rhydderch clutch onto a rocky part below the edge of the cliff desperately.

"Grab my hand!" She shouted, stretching her body as far as she could so that she could reach Rhydderch.

Her heart was racing and her cheeks were wet from the rain. Above them, the storm beat down merciless onto them. The winds howled and she almost sobbed in fear as Rhydderch seemed to struggle with something.

Peering down as much as she could, she saw Vlad grabbing hold on Rhydderch's legs as they dangled in the air. The look in Vlad's eyes was deranged and had the full intent on taking Rhydderch down with him.

No! She wouldn't allow it. "Take my hand!" Her voice was hoarse as she reached out to him.

"Hurry!"

Rhydderch looked up at her and he reached out a hand to her and everything around her was muted except for the beat of her heart.

All she could think about and see was the small gap between their hands. A gap that she needed to close with her own.

Just a little bit more!

Her mind was screaming that the fragile edge of the cliff wouldn't hold their combined weight but she ignored it. Their hands touched briefly and she almost gasped in relief as their hands managed to slide against each other.

A little more and he would be alright!

However, as if her mind was a fortune teller, the edge of the cliff crumbled and so did the rocky part that Rhydderch was holding on to.

"NO!" she screamed as Rhydderch plummeted into the dark depths of the raging sea.

* * *

A/N: Hello! It's been close to a week and that is because this chapter has 4,615 words. Tbh, I think it's the longest chapter in this whole book and I hope you enjoy it and don't mob me!

Also, I've created a second account in case anything goes wrong with the current one. Apparently, there's been an increase in cases where accounts are deleted out of the blue and that worries me. So, for all of you who wants to find me in case my account does get deleted with all my books, I would head over to my second account to continue there. My second account is @cheryl_is_not_here_

Chapter dedicated to @keetcha