Divinity Unleashed
Thecelldoorslammedshut, the heavy sound reverberating through my soul. Marshal gave me one last unsure glance before filing out of the room along with the rest of the guards. My chest heaved, silent sobs wracking my frame as I gagged on the bitter, stale air. Shivering, I curled up on the small cot against the back wall. Dull light filled the surrounding space, revealing a tiny, empty cell and metal bars stretching from floor to ceiling.
Hopelessness weighed on me, dragging my shoulders down as I pulled my knees to my chest. I’d just wanted to save my sister. A loud cough echoed around the cells, making me jump. I turned to the left, and my eyes adjusted to the dimness of the room. A bulky silhouette sat hunched on the cot in the adjacent cell, a blanket covering most of them, save for the locks of golden hair tumbling out of one end.
“Daddy?” The figure didn’t stir, and I rose, gingerly slipping from my cot. A metal shackle bit into my leg, chafing at the skin, and my whole body ached. Doing my best to ignore the pain, I neared the bars separating me from my father, the cold from the stone floors seeping through the soles of my feet and into my bones.
Cronos continued staring forward, his breath heavy and labored. But he didn’t move and he didn’t look at me.
“What did they do to you?”
“His lucidity comes and goes,” a familiar voice called out, and I spun. A gaunt form huddled on the cot in the other cell beside mine, her haunted brown eyes staring at me from the shadows. “An unfortunate side effect of the broken bonding.”
“Ari?” I rushed to the other side of my cell, flinching at the metal biting into the skin on my ankle. Nearing the bars, I hurt as I took in the woman who’d raised me. Her brown hair fell in tangled strands, framing her drawn face and hollow eyes. Gone was her perfect posture and sure demeanor, leaving only a broken and depressed creature in its place.
“I’m so sorry about Alex,” I whispered, gripping the bars so hard the uneven metal bit into my skin.
Her face crumpled, and she shook her head. “None of this is your fault. The blame for my son’s death rests solely on my shoulders… if only I hadn’t listened to the convoluted words of the high priestess, he would still be here.”
I watched her a moment longer, wondering if I shouldn’t intrude, but wanting answers at the same time. “What do you mean?”
She sighed, her shoulders caving even further inward. “A while ago, the high priestess came to me, foretelling Alex’s death. The circumstances weren’t entirely clear, but the one thing she was for sure of was that it involved you.” She clenched her eyes shut, hissing through her teeth. “I was such an idiot. I contemplated what to do for so long, but no matter how hard I tried, I could never find the answer. I didn’t know how to save my son.”
Her words echoed the own desires of my heart—to save someone I loved—and I was just as clueless. “How did Ryker come into all of this?”
Ari cleared her throat and nodded. “He was the answer I stumbled onto by chance. During one of my meetings with the governor of the Lunara, an Outlander raid took place. Most of the infiltrators were killed in their attempt to free other prisoners, but a few were captured, Ryker being one of them.
“I went with the governor to interrogate the prisoners and, after seeing their hatred for the empress and her people, realized we could help each other. The high priestess had told me that if I wanted to change my son’s future, I would have to remove another piece of the puzzle. I would have to remove you.” Her voice trembled, her hands bunching around the edge of the cot.
After what Cassie has told me about the high priestess and her wavering loyalty to the empress, I couldn’t help but wonder if this had been part of a bigger plan. Had the high priestess just been using Ari to get to the empress?
“And he agreed just like that…” I murmured, picturing Ryker’s golden eyed glare.
“Actually, he didn’t.” Ari shook her head. “He and his companions were loath to help me—an advisor of the empress—but I told them if they completed the task, I would free his sister.”
“Pema.” My chest tightened, and suddenly it was difficult to breathe.
“It’s why he was there in the first place, trying to set her free.”
“He willingly traded his life for hers.” Just like I wished I could for my sister. Maybe we weren’t so different after all. My father’s low moaning filled the silence before I broke it once more. “And she’s still a prisoner?”
“You’re still alive, aren’t you?” I flinched, but there was no malice in her voice, only pain. “I’m sorry, Kaleah. If I had just left things alone, someone else would have been chosen for your intended. And even if Cassie had taken you away, there would have been no assassin to follow you and kill my son.”
I stared at Ari, my heart breaking for her before a thought dawned on me. “How do you know that’s what happened?”
“After I was escorted from the courtyard, I went to visit your sister. She was drifting in and out of consciousness and vaguely explained what happened.”
“She was awake?”
“Barely. But I haven't seen her since the empress came to interrogate me and, discovering my treachery, sent me here. I’m sorry. For everything. I never wanted you to die, but if it was your life or his—” Her voice cut off, tears streaming down her face.
My lip trembled, and I bit down, pressing my forehead to the metal bars. As much as her betrayal hurt, I couldn’t fault her for trying to save the one she loved. “I understand,” I murmured, reaching through the bars to slip my hand into hers.
Ari looked up at me, her eyes wide. “Y-you don’t hate me?”
I shook my head. “I could never. Not for doing what you thought would save your son’s life. My life has always been expendable, so what if death came a little earlier? I would trade my life in a heartbeat if it could bring him back.” But I couldn’t. I only hoped I would still have a chance to offer the same in exchange for my sister’s.
“Thank you, Kaleah,” Ari whispered, squeezing my hand. “It brings peace to my heart to know I won’t go to my grave without your forgiveness.”