The first thing Valerian noticed when he woke was the scent — not of blood or shadow, but of burnt sage and old magic. The air vibrated faintly, as if humming with restrained power. He wasn't in the empire. Not even close.
He tried to move, but the motion tore pain through his ribs, sharp and merciless.
"Still stubborn after all these years," came a low, familiar voice.
Valerian's eyes snapped open.Standing by the rune-lit table was Ash — tall, calm, older now, though the same quiet danger lingered in his gaze. His coat bore streaks of silver dust; the air around him shimmered faintly with restrained energy.
Valerian's jaw tensed. "You."
Ash's lips curved faintly. "You make it sound like a curse."
"It is," Valerian hissed, forcing himself upright despite the agony in his side. "You swore never to interfere again."
Ash sighed, setting aside a vial of dark fluid. "And yet here we are. You bleeding to death through a collapsing shadow veil, and me breaking oaths to drag you out of it."
"You shouldn't have."
"You'd be ashes by now if I hadn't."
Their eyes met — two ancient forces weighed by centuries of unspoken history. There was no trust between them, only the residue of something once close.
"You've changed," Valerian said at last.
Ash's expression flickered. "Twenty years in a curse cage tends to do that."
Valerian frowned. "Curse cage?"
Ash turned away, voice low. "Saphine bound me to Alishya's preservation spell. Every drop of energy that keeps her from rotting comes from me. I am her anchor, Valerian — her prison and her lifeline. Every time her body stirs, I lose a year."
Valerian's breath caught. "You're dying."
"Slowly," Ash said. "And I'll die fully if she fails to revive." He turned then, eyes flashing like stormfire. "That's why I brought you here. That's why I followed the bond's pulse to Shyla."
Valerian stiffened. "You knew where she was?"
"I've always known." Ash's tone darkened. "Her blood carries the same signature as Alexander's — the last thread strong enough to feed the revival ritual. Saphine felt it first. She sent me to confirm it."
Valerian's voice was low, dangerous. "You're using her."
Ash looked away. "I'm trying to survive."
Silence.Only the faint hiss of burning incense filled the room.
Valerian's eyes burned crimson. "You're still the same, Ash — always caught between mercy and betrayal."
Ash's lips tightened. "And you're still the same — ruled by love before reason. Tell me, Valerian, did you think the shadows wouldn't demand a price when you crossed twice in one night? Or that fate wouldn't twist the girl into the storm meant for you?"
Valerian said nothing. His mind was on Shyla — her eyes, her trembling voice, her whispered call that had reached him even through the veil.
Ash stepped closer, lowering his voice. "You think I don't envy you? She's everything Alishya once was — light bound in mortal form. But I don't have the luxury of love. I'm chained to Saphine's design. You think I help her willingly?"
Valerian studied him. "Then why obey?"
Ash laughed bitterly. "Because if I disobey, I burn. My magic dies with me, and Alishya's body disintegrates with it. And maybe… maybe I'm a fool who still believes she can be saved."
The truth hit hard.Valerian looked away, fury and pity battling behind his crimson gaze.
"So that's your plan," he murmured. "You'll drain the girl's blood to wake a corpse — all for a sister who should've stayed dead."
Ash didn't flinch. "And you'll tear realms apart for a love that shouldn't exist."
For a moment, neither spoke.Then Ash said quietly, "The ball was Saphine's doing. She ensured Nickolas was there, told him the Council's prophecy — that he'd find his destined mate. They want him on the throne, Valerian. You're the true heir, but they'll never let you return."
Valerian's shadows stirred violently. "They can't stop me."
"They can," Ash said softly. "They already have. Every shadow crossing you make weakens your union. You're bleeding your essence into the veil — and soon, even I won't be able to pull you back."
Valerian stood, pain twisting through him, but his voice remained calm. "You underestimate what I'd endure for her."
Ash's gaze softened for a breath — not pity, but an echo of understanding. "Then pray she never learns what her blood is worth."
He turned, extinguishing the runes one by one. The chamber dimmed until only the faint pulse of dark magic remained.
As Valerian sank back into the shadows, Ash whispered almost to himself,"I am sorry, old friend. But the girl's blood is the key. And if you stand in Saphine's way… you'll die before she ever wakes."
Valerian's eyes glowed through the darkness. "Then I'll die standing between them."
And for the first time in twenty years, Ash looked uncertain — as though a crack had appeared in the inevitability of his chains. But again, Shadow did unexpected and lead to valerain's collapse.