Chapter 10 The Breaking

The palace had transformed into a battlefield. As we raced through the corridors toward the Council chambers, evidence of the conflict was everywhere—shattered crystal lamps, blood-stained marble, and the occasional still form of a fallen blood-born.

Darian moved with renewed vigor, my blood having restored his strength. The connection between us hummed with heightened awareness; I could sense his strategic calculations, his concern for Elder Thorne, and beneath it all, the lingering echo of our kiss.

"The main approach will be heavily guarded," Mira warned as we neared the Council wing. "Ashryn knows Elder Thorne's value to your cause."

"Then we don't use the main approach," Darian replied, veering down a narrower passage. "There's another way in—an old servant's corridor from before the Third Reconstruction."

We followed him through increasingly ancient sections of the palace, the architecture shifting from polished obsidian to rough-hewn stone. Finally, he stopped before what appeared to be a solid wall, running his fingers along the seam where it met the floor.

"Here," he murmured, pressing a sequence of seemingly random points. The wall slid open silently, revealing a narrow passage beyond.

"Stay close," Darian instructed, his hand finding mine in the darkness. "And be silent."

The passage was tight and winding, clearly designed for servants to move unobtrusively through the palace. After several minutes of careful navigation, we emerged behind an ornate tapestry in what I recognized as the antechamber to the Council room.

Voices drifted from the main chamber—Ashryn's smooth tones predominant among them.

"The old ways have failed us," he was saying. "My brother clings to traditions that have kept our kind hiding in shadows while humans claim the world above. With the Heart under my control, we can begin a new era."

"An era built on betrayal and false claims," Elder Thorne's voice replied, strained but defiant. "The contract binding is our oldest law, the foundation of our society."

"A foundation that has crumbled," Ashryn countered. "Look what it's reduced us to—a prince bound to a human girl with no understanding of our world. Is this what the Nightblood line should represent?"

Darian signaled for us to wait as he peered through a gap in the tapestry. "Six of Ashryn's elite guards," he whispered. "Thorne is surrounded, along with two loyal Elders. The others appear to be supporting Ashryn, or at least not opposing him."

"Can we fight that many?" I asked quietly.

A grim smile touched his lips. "With the strength of your blood in me? Yes."

Before I could respond, a new voice joined the conversation in the Council chamber—one that sent ice through my veins.

"Perhaps we should ask the human contract holder herself what she thinks," said Elder Vesper. "After all, she's listening just behind that tapestry."

The next moments passed in a blur. The tapestry was ripped away, exposing our hiding place. Darian immediately placed himself in front of me as Ashryn's guards surrounded us. Mira drew her blade, backing against the wall to prevent anyone from circling behind us.

"Brother," Ashryn greeted with false warmth, stepping forward from the group of Elders. "How kind of you to join us. And you've brought your pet human—how thoughtful."

"This ends now, Ashryn," Darian growled. "Your rebellion has torn the court apart long enough."

Ashryn's silver eyes gleamed with malicious amusement. "Rebellion? I prefer to call it evolution." He gestured around the chamber. "The majority of the Council supports my vision for our future. Even the Heart responds to my command now."

As if to demonstrate, he raised his hand. The blue crystals illuminating the chamber pulsed in response, their light taking on a silvery cast that matched his eyes.

"What have you done to the Heart?" Darian demanded, tension radiating through our bond.

"Simply... redirected its loyalties," Ashryn replied with a smirk. "As I will do with all who currently follow you."

Elder Thorne struggled against the guards restraining him. "He's corrupted the Heart's energy, my prince! The connection to the Memory Sanctum has been severed."

Understanding dawned on Darian's face. "You're erasing our history."

"I'm curating it," Ashryn corrected smoothly. "Some memories are better left forgotten—like the true nature of your binding with this human."

His gaze shifted to me, calculation in those silver depths. "I wonder, Elira Hamilton, how much you truly understand about what you've stumbled into? About what my brother really is?"

"I understand enough," I replied steadily. "I know about the previous Elira. I know about your betrayal then, and I see you repeating it now."

Something dangerous flashed across Ashryn's face. "You've been to the Memory Sanctum. Unfortunate." He sighed dramatically. "That complicates matters."

"Your schemes have failed, brother," Darian said. "The binding has been verified through blood trial. The memories have been witnessed. Your claim has no legitimacy."

"Perhaps not through traditional means," Ashryn conceded. "But I've never been overly concerned with tradition." He snapped his fingers, and two more guards entered the chamber, dragging a struggling figure between them.

My heart dropped. "Mira!"

But it wasn't Mira beside me anymore. Somehow, in the confusion of our capture, she had been replaced by an impostor. The real Mira now stood captive across the room, blood trickling from a wound on her temple.

"A simple glamour," Ashryn explained, noting my confusion. "One of my followers has been playing the role of loyal Mira for the past hour. Quite convincing, wasn't she?"

The false Mira beside us shimmered, her features transforming into those of a blood-born woman I didn't recognize. She stepped away, joining Ashryn's side with a triumphant smile.

"What do you want?" Darian demanded, his voice dangerously low.

Ashryn's smile widened. "I want what I've always wanted, brother. The throne that should have been mine." He moved closer, circling us like a predator. "But more immediately, I want to offer your human a choice."

"I'm not interested in your offers," I said firmly.

"No? Not even when your friend's life hangs in the balance?" He gestured to Mira, who continued to struggle against her captors. "I'm a reasonable ruler. I understand the value of negotiation."

Darian's posture tensed further. "What are your terms?"

"Simple." Ashryn stopped directly in front of me. "Elira releases you from the contract, renouncing all claim to you and the binding power. In return, her friend lives, and she walks free."

"And if I refuse?" I asked, though I already knew the answer.

"Then Mira dies, painfully and slowly. Then perhaps another of Darian's followers. And another." His expression hardened. "Until you understand that your stubbornness has a price paid in blood not your own."

The chamber fell silent as all eyes turned to me. Through our bond, I could feel Darian's rage and frustration, but also his strategic mind working, searching for a solution.

"You're asking me to give up the contract," I said slowly. "But what happens to Darian if I do that?"

"He'll be free," Ashryn replied with exaggerated patience. "Free from human control, free to take his rightful place in our society—under my leadership, of course."

"Don't listen to him," Elder Thorne called out. "Without the contract's protection, Darian will be vulnerable to whatever punishment Ashryn deems appropriate for a 'traitor.'"

Ashryn's guards struck the Elder, silencing him. "Dramatic old fool," Ashryn muttered. "My brother will be treated with the respect due his bloodline."

Darian's eyes met mine, a world of unspoken communication passing between us. "He's lying," he said quietly. "But Mira's life is genuine danger."

I looked at Mira, her face bruised but her eyes still defiant. She had been nothing but kind to me since my arrival, guiding me through this strange world with patience and wisdom.

"There must be another way," I whispered to Darian.

"Perhaps there is," he replied, his mind working quickly. "The contract allows for voluntary dissolution, but it must be done properly, with specific rituals."

"How touching," Ashryn interrupted. "Whispering sweet strategies to each other." He snapped his fingers, and one of the guards pressed a blade to Mira's throat. "I'm not known for my patience, Elira Hamilton. Your decision. Now."

Time seemed to slow as I weighed our options. If I refused, Mira would die—and likely others after her. If I agreed, Darian would be at his brother's mercy, and everything we'd discovered in the Memory Sanctum would be for nothing.

Unless...

A third option began to form in my mind—dangerous, possibly foolish, but the only path that might save both Mira and Darian.

"If I release him from the contract," I said carefully, "I want to do it properly. With witnesses and the appropriate rituals."

Ashryn raised an eyebrow, clearly suspicious of my sudden cooperation. "The result is what matters, not the method."

"The method ensures the release is complete and irreversible," I countered. "Isn't that what you want? No lingering connection between us?"

He studied me for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Very well. Elder Vesper can oversee the dissolution ritual. She's quite knowledgeable about such matters."

Elder Vesper stepped forward, her expression severe. "I'll need the contract chalice and ritual blade."

"Bring them," Ashryn ordered one of his guards.

While they prepared, Darian leaned close to me. "What are you planning?" he murmured, his voice too low for others to hear.

"Something stupid and reckless," I admitted. "But I need you to trust me."

His eyes searched mine. "Always," he replied simply.

The guard returned with an ornate silver chalice and ceremonial dagger that gleamed with unnatural sharpness. Elder Vesper arranged them on a small table in the center of the chamber.

"The contract holder must willingly offer blood and speak the words of release," she instructed. "The bound must accept the dissolution by drinking from the chalice."

I approached the table, my heart pounding. The contract markings on my skin pulsed with increasing urgency, as if sensing my intentions.

"Wait," Darian said suddenly. "If we're doing this properly, I invoke the right of private words with my contract holder before dissolution. It's traditional."

Ashryn frowned. "No tricks, brother."

"No tricks," Darian agreed. "Just a moment of privacy, as the old laws allow."

After a moment's consideration, Ashryn nodded. "You have one minute. But remain where I can see you."

Darian led me to a corner of the chamber, positioning us so that his back was to the others, partially shielding me from view.

"Whatever you're planning is dangerous," he whispered urgently. "The contract protects you. Without it—"

"I'm not giving it up," I interrupted. "Not really."

His eyes widened slightly as understanding dawned. "You're going to—"

"Offer my blood soul in exchange for your complete freedom," I confirmed. "It's the third option in the dissolution ritual—one that transfers all power to the bound while maintaining the connection."

"Elira, no," he hissed. "That kind of exchange could kill you if your divine heritage isn't strong enough to sustain it."

"It's our only chance," I insisted. "Once you're free of the command aspect of the contract, you can fight Ashryn on equal terms. And Mira lives."

"Time's up," Ashryn called from across the chamber. "Let's proceed with the dissolution."

With a final meaningful look at Darian, I returned to the ritual table. Elder Vesper handed me the ceremonial dagger.

"Cut your palm and let the blood fill the chalice," she instructed. "Then speak the words of release."

I took the dagger, its blade impossibly sharp against my skin. With a deep breath, I sliced my palm, watching as blood welled up and dripped into the waiting chalice.

"With this blood, freely given," I began, reciting the traditional words Elder Vesper whispered to me. But as she continued with the standard dissolution phrases, I subtly altered them, drawing on knowledge that seemed to rise from deep within—perhaps from my previous incarnation's memories.

"I release you from obligation and command," I said clearly. "I offer my blood soul in exchange for your complete freedom."

Elder Vesper's head snapped up in alarm. "That's not the correct—"

But it was too late. The contract markings on my skin flared with blinding light, lifting off my body like fiery ribbons that swirled around the chalice, infusing my blood with glowing power.

"What is she doing?" Ashryn demanded, stepping forward. "Stop her!"

Darian moved with supernatural speed, placing himself between me and the advancing guards. "It's done," he said, his voice resonating with newfound power. "The exchange has begun. Interfere now and the backlash will destroy everyone in this chamber."

The ritual reached its crescendo as the last of the markings left my skin, flowing into the chalice. I felt suddenly hollow, drained in a way that went beyond physical exhaustion. My knees buckled, but I forced myself to remain standing.

"Drink," I told Darian, pushing the chalice toward him. "You're free now. You don't have to serve me or anyone."

His eyes met mine, filled with a complex mixture of emotions—concern, admiration, and something deeper I wasn't ready to name. Without breaking our gaze, he took the chalice and drank deeply.

The effect was immediate and dramatic. The contract markings that had left my body now appeared on his skin, but different—no longer red but a luminous gold that spread across his form like living fire. Power radiated from him in palpable waves, causing even Ashryn to step back.

"What have you done?" Ashryn demanded, his voice tight with sudden fear.

"What you wanted," I replied, my voice weakening. "I've released him from the contract's commands. He is no longer bound to obey me or anyone." I managed a small smile despite my fading strength. "He's free, brother. Truly free for the first time in millennia."

Darian set down the empty chalice, his transformed markings still glowing with golden light. He looked at his hands in wonder, then at me with dawning realization of what I'd sacrificed.

"You've given me back my power," he said softly. "At what cost to yourself?"

Before I could answer, darkness crowded the edges of my vision. The last thing I saw was Darian lunging forward to catch me as I collapsed, and the last thing I heard was his voice calling my name with desperate urgency as consciousness slipped away.