Exaltation (Insight #11)(71)



“No, not at all. I fell. It was an accident,” Rydell said as he rolled his eyes.

Britain crouched down beside Rydell and glanced over him once. “If you look this raw I would hate to see the shape Revelin is in.”

“Are you trying to get a rise out of me? It’s not going to happen. Let me give you a friendly warning. I’ve been breaking my bond with him for a long time so he may be weak right now, but not this weak.”

“Odd that you were able to break a bond, don’t you think?”

“Never been one to follow the norm.”

Britain moved his head side to side as if Rydell were a fool.

“Do you realize how close you are right now to becoming one of these beings?” he asked, as he glanced at the dark fog screeching past them. The energy was so dark, so stripped it couldn’t even take form anymore. “I don’t even sense a connection between you and Revelin any longer. He may assume you have already become one.”

Rydell rolled his head so he could glare up at him. “I’m not climbing out of one cage and into another, if that’s what you’re offering.”

Britain could save Rydell’s life with a mere thought. And then use him to taunt his line’s old allies. That would stir up a nest of destruction, a First leaving one line to join another.

“Flattered, but you’re far to playful to be one of us.”

“Not these days. Downright dark and serious.”

“Girls can do that to you.”

Rydell mustered enough strength to prop himself up on his elbows. How in the hell did he and Revelin know I was interested in a girl?

“No idea what you’re talking about.”

“Right,” he said with a wink. “Do you want to live or not?”

“What’s the price?”

“I don’t really have one. I dislike your sovereign. The sweetest revenge would be to uplift what he discarded.”

Very cunning plan. “Why did the alliance between the lines cease?”

A menacing smile emerged across Britain’s lips. “For all I know there was never an alliance in the first place, we were just playing nice. Yet, now we are weaved together. Revelin knew the line of obsession was weighed down with the King of Fear and Shock’s curse. He decided to cut us loose to save his own tail.” Britain lifted his chin. “He tends to cut a lot of souls loose when they no longer serve his purpose.”

“He didn’t cut me loose. I left him.”

That knowing stare peered into Rydell once again. “You’re in this war. And I’m curious as to why. I wonder if you figure out this web if it will help me with me and my own.”

“Figure out what web?”

“Web of hearts and souls, my friend. Predestined fate is rather boring if you ask me. And King, you have always been one to break the mold. I have a feeling if you were not seconds from death now you may very well have been the one to break a pattern that has haunted me time and time again.”

“Which is what?”

Britain leaned a little closer. “The way I see it, a soul was divided in two because it wanted to be, because it sought something more. Everyone else believes those souls will rejoin for power, and that power will overtake us. I wonder if one of those divided souls joined with another force, if that would bring forth an even greater power.” He tilted his head slightly. “What if the bad guy gets the girl?”

“You have a fever for someone,” Rydell said, finally confirming the rumors about him.

“Perhaps.”

“How’s that working out for you?”

“Let’s just say I call it a win when she decided not to kill me at the last instant.”

“A Witness?” Those were the beings that hunted Escorts. They were warriors for the souls made of light.

“Worse. The Selected.”

This conversation just got deep. The Selected were the souls that the new sovereigns were said to come from. They were walking regal figures who had the crest of their royal life branded on their soul. Rydell had never seen one. Honestly, he thought they were myths. But Britain never took the time or energy to lie to anyone. Truth was always in his words. How you took his words, right or wrong, was your own preference.

“We truly are in the same boat,” Rydell said as he let himself fall.

“Similar ones, no doubt. Which is why I’m interested to see how this little torrid affair you’ve started works out.”

It was hardly torrid. It was the most innocent thing Rydell had ever engaged in, but Britain knew the old Rydell. The one that used women to not only feed on their rush but to cover up the pain of emotions his mortal life had left him with.

Rydell felt a vibration of regal vim soar through him. He was almost his old self. He was definitely cleaned up, no more mud or pain, and he was facing Britain.

“You look better.”

“I did not accept this.” The last thing Rydell wanted was to be in Britain’s debt.

“And I did not restore you completely. This is your advantage. Revelin thinks you’re gone, imprisoned. You’re not. You have a very small window to contemplate your next move. I would use it wisely.”

“You expect to gain something from this?”

“An education. From what I gather your girl is untouched, born on the side of darkness. She knows no other. If the two of you happen to make it, your story will be the words I use as a weapon in my own feat.”

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