But he knew it wasn't his pain,it was Casteel's.
Time stretched, marked only by the progression of agony, but inside himself Nero knew his own body wasn't deteriorating further. He would survive this.
Casteel wouldn't.
When the cell door finally opened again what seemed like a dawn later, Nero raised his head with effort. High Priest Doran entered, flanked by two guards, his ornate robes pristine against the dungeon's filth.
"The rebel wishes to speak with me," Doran observed, his tone mild as if discussing the weather. "How extraordinary."
Nero forced himself to stand. "This punishment serves no purpose."
"On the contrary." Doran clasped his hands before him. "It serves to demonstrate the consequences of defiance. The silver wolf and his mate cannot simply abandon their divine calling."
"We weren't abandoning anything," Nero growled. "We were seeking freedom from manipulation."
Doran's smile never reached his eyes. "A semantic distinction at best. The prophecy requires your presence, your obedience, your acceptance of the roles the gods have chosen."
Nero swallowed his retort, knowing antagonism would only strengthen Doran's resolve. "The boy is suffering."
"As are you," Doran noted clinically. "The bond-sickness progresses as expected. Makim believes permanent damage will begin within a day, but the rate the boy is suffering I doubt he will live to see morning."
"Then end this," Nero said, hating the plea in his voice. "If you lose the silver wolf, you lose the people."
Doran paced the small cell, studying Nero as one might examine an interesting specimen. "But you've demonstrated you cannot be trusted. The moment you're reunited, you'll attempt escape again." It was blackmail. Nero didn't doubt Doran had waited before allowing Makim to tend them both.
"We won't," Nero promised, though the lie tasted bitter. "We've learned our lesson.”
"Have you?" Doran's eyes glittered with cold amusement. "Forgive me if I find your word less than compelling."
Nero gritted his teeth, feeling Casteel's pain pulse through their weakening bond like a second heartbeat. "That was before—"
"Before you were bound by magic you don't understand to a boy whose only value to you is survival?" Doran stepped closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "I know what you are, Nero of the rebellion. A killer. A man who has lost everything and cares for nothing. The bond may compel your body, but it cannot change your nature."
The words hit like physical blows, each one calculated to wound. Nero fought to keep his expression neutral even as rage and despair warred within him. Through the bond, he felt Casteel's distress spike—could the young man sense this conversation somehow? And none of this made sense. If Casteel died, Doran would lose his grip on the people. But he knew he didn't have time to wait it out. And he knew Doran was betting on that. No, Doran knew that as a certainty.
"You're wrong," Nero said quietly.
"Am I?" Doran circled him slowly, a predator savoring the hunt. "Then prove it. Kneel."
Nero's spine stiffened. "What?"
"Kneel before me. Acknowledge your place in the divine order. Swear on your bond-mate's life that you will serve the prophecy without question." Doran's smile was razor-sharp. "Do this, and I will reunite you immediately."
The cell fell silent except for Nero's labored breathing. He could feel his strength ebbing with each heartbeat, the bond-sickness eating away at his reserves. But more than that, hecould feel Casteel—growing weaker, more desperate with each passing moment. If it was just him, he would gladly die.
But it wasn't.
"I..." Nero began, his knees trembling with more than just physical weakness.
"Yes?" Doran prompted, triumph already gleaming in his eyes.
Nero closed his eyes, reaching through the bond one more time. What he found there made his decision for him—not just Casteel's pain, but his trust. Even now, dying by degrees in that chamber above, the young man still believed in him.
Slowly, Nero sank to one knee.
"I swear," he said, the words scraping his throat raw, "by the bond that ties me to Casteel, that I will serve the prophecy."
Doran's smile widened. "And?"
