Korac shut his eyes. Parting from Sagan to fight on the opposite side became harder with every goodbye. How far would their alliance draw him to stray from his people? From his King? Her safety took priority over anything and everything—the race, Cinder—nothing mattered more than her. But he made an oath he must uphold.

So he soldiered on and oversaw the migration of their troops to Yellowstone. Ten million including the hellkites, sabers, and drakes. Not to mention the mechsuit units transported the vehicles across the ocean and almost the entire width of the North American continent. Days of work to keep him busy.

Fortunately, he delegated the basics to his Second officer. Only one task remained for Korac. He knocked on the double doors to the observatory.

Nox called from within, “Enter.”

Opening both doors on a flourish, Korac stepped onto the plush dark carpet. The taller Icarus searched a bookshelf with black eyes. He muttered to himself, “All these texts and nothing on Elden’s weaknesses. The man possessed many unique abilities, however.”

The General took in the room for maybe the last time. Odd. Another first. He never feared for his survival heading into battle before this day. Shrugging it away, he said, “Your majesty, it’s time to depart.”

“Yes, yes.” Nox smirked with a chuckle. “It really is a magnificent room.”

Korac caught the glance in his direction before he hid his reaction. “Sire?”

“I’ve always liked this space. It’s not to my tastes, but you managed a haven in a hellhole. My brother loved it.”

The fair-haired Icarus choked and shook his head. Unsure if he heard right, he said, “I never told… how did you know?”

Nox turned and faced Korac with an unfamiliar expression of fondness. He approached the General who fought not to flinch. Was he facing execution? A heavy hand landed on his shoulder, and the King’s words came softly, “I know it was hard on you. I’m very proud to call you my General. Not many of any race would hold rank while their lover was executed—rightfully or otherwise. Your loyalty will win this day, Korac.”

The General’s eyebrows popped high as his King patted him once on the back before exiting the room. Unpredictable Nox terrified Korac. He either knew of the treachery with him aiding the Progeny, or some other external force pressed him into this unsprung trap.

Turning on his heel, Korac followed like a good soldier. With a strange finality, he closed the double doors behind him and tried to ignore their foreboding resonance.

The black plane with dark-tinted windows served as one of many luxuries the General insisted on. Nox sat across from him, staring outside. He sat with one ankle over the other knee while biting his thumbnail.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Korac couldn’t take it anymore, “What troubles your majesty?”

Without breaking eye contact with the ocean, Nox asked, “What do you make of our story, General?”

Obscure poetry from his King unnerved him. “How candid am I allowed to be?”

“Absolute.”

“We rode in our steeds, two knights prepared to claim justice for wrongs made against us. Celindria deserved every machination we designed for her.” He shifted in his seat for the next part. “At the first opportunity, we mistook one girl for our target.” Nox looked over then. “By the Tenements of Vengeance, we were within our rights to do so. But… After what we did to her, we can no longer consider ourselves the heroes of this tale. Along the way, we became the villains.”

The King stared at him so long he wondered if the man forgot how to blink. The assessment apparently satisfied him as Nox broke away to stare at the ocean once more. In silence.

Korac sat forward with his hands clasped over his knees. “Sire, have you considered strategic alternatives?”

“The errand. You completed it?”

The General sighed and stood. Pinching the bridge between his nose, he answered, “Yes, your majesty. She’s only slept in the study so far. The location I placed it will suffice until after. Assuming there is an after.”

Nox surprised him by saying, “There are no other options. This is the end. The only way it can end. You will appreciate this more once it’s over.”

For once, Korac let go of his control, “Once it’s over… You mean when we’re both in a cell on Gait?! Or worse, on a slab in Enki?” He got in Nox’s face as he said the rest, “Or how about when you’re raping my woman on your throne?!”

Nox stared into Korac’s gaze. The obsidian disks shifted into mirrors, and the General took a step back. The giant remained seated, perfectly casual despite the direction of the conversation. “You’ll be relieved to know my interest in your woman shifted from sexual curiosity to scientific commodity. That is all.”

The General narrowed his eyes in suspicion. “What changed?”

Nox looked back out the window, avoiding eye contact. Almost too soft to hear, he said, “Rayne.”

Korac let the incredulity in his voice, “You love her?”

Nox stared at his reflection in the window without answering.

Shaking his head, the General decided that wasn’t good enough. “You don’t force yourself on someone you love. You do that to someone you think you own. And even then…” He chuffed in disgust. “We vowed—”

“I deemed it necessary. And you know that’s not entirely the case with me. You’re the only person who does know.”

Unable to fathom this, Korac argued, “She’ll never forgive you. And she shouldn’t.”

The massive Icarus nodded. “I am aware. And I agree. I am not seeking her forgiveness.”

Frustrated, he kicked his own seat. “Then what is this really about, Nox?!”

The King of Cinder stood to his full height, and Korac sat the fuck down.

“Justice. Not hers. Mine. Maintain your temper. Stay the course, and you will understand.” He gave a cruel, amused smile. “It’s fascinating.”

The General disliked the shift in his King’s temperament. “What is?”

Nox reached to the ceiling to steady himself against the turbulence. “All my attempts to break your solid composure over these many millennia failed until you addressed my mistreatment of our women.” He clasped the armrests on either side of Korac and lowered his face a breath away. “Betray me, and I don’t care if it is my last act in this world, I will exact vengeance.”

The General stared into cold eyes caged in pain and lied, “I am, as always, loyal to the Icarean race. To the cause of their salvation.”

“In thirty-six hours, we’ll see if your answer is still the same.”