Page 100 of Tears for a Broken Sky
I stood still.
Because that’s what weapons do.
“Will he do as I command?” Vael asked, his voice low, speculative.
“Of course,” Ashton said smoothly. “But I’d advise against breaking him.”
A smirk tugged at his lips. “At least not yet. His mind is… particular. And in battle, it can be quite the asset.”
Vael studied me like one might examine a blade—measuring weight, balance, potential for blood.
“As long as he obeys.”
“He will.” Ashton’s voice was full of certainty. “He’s very well trained.” He nodded to Vasquez.
Vasquez walked up to me and slapped my face. I didn’t flinch. Not even when he grabbed my chin, fingers digging into my jaw, and gave it a sharp shake.
“He’s so hollow now,” he muttered. “I like it. He’s like a shadow of himself now.”
He released me with a shove. I staggered a half-step but caught myself before I could fall.
For a moment, I felt a flicker. A tremor.
A face flashed in my mind.
Blue eyes. Fierce. Luminous.
Fixed on mine like they used to be the only thing anchoring me to this world.
My little shadow,I thought–
Order before mercy.
Truth before feeling.
Duty before desire.
The mantra surged through me like ice water. Steadying. Numbing. Wiping everything clean.
“I am yours to command, sire,” I said.
The moment passed.
I breathed. Shallow. Controlled.
Vael smiled, slow and cruel. “Oh, brother, this is going to be fun.”
Chapter 24
Elira
The morning broke grey. Not stormy—just muted, like the world was keeping its voice down after everything we’d said last night.
I stood near the prow of the ship, one hand on the railing, eyes fixed on the mist where sea met sky. Sorrowsea’s cliffs had vanished behind us hours ago, swallowed by fog. Ahead lay the garrison—and war.
Behind me, the deck creaked with motion. Sailors called to each other in quiet voices. The waves slapped steady against the hull like a heartbeat.
I hadn’t seen any of them yet. But I wanted to. I shivered in anticipation at the thought of any one of them coming to stand by me.
