Page 84 of Fated to the Demon Lord

“Go back to Derand. Now.”

“I want to find a way to break your curse.”

He stilled, shock showing in his expression. “How do you know about the curse?”

“Erlinen told me everything.”

He remained still as death. “Erlinen. She seems to keep failing at keeping my confidence.” He released a low growl. “What do you mean everything?”

“She told me about Creedan, and Pixa and the hedge witch that cursed you with her magic. She told me that you’re cursed to lose everyone you love. That is why you’ve lost… so many people.” I stepped closer to him, gripping the bag that was slung over my shoulder. “But Vaelor, I’m a hedge witch. What if I can undo what she did to you?”

“I don’t need you. I don’t want you.”

I folded my arms. He had feelings for me, I knew it. I wouldn’t let his words put me off. “You’re still fighting for your people, and I’m here to help you.”

He shook his head without meeting my gaze. “How can you help me?”

I pulled out the hedge witch book and held it out to him. “I haven’t had time to look at it, but there must be something… something close, something we can adapt or maybe a counterspell⁠—”

His eyes sparked as he took in the book. “If it was as simple as some counterspell, you think I wouldn’t have tried that by now? Leave, Denara. Go and be safe. Isn’t that what you always wanted?”

My fingers gripped the book harder. “If you believe you’re cursed, why are you trying so hard to save your people?”

“Because I have to. Because on the off chance that the witch was only a quack and I simply have rotten luck then I have to at least try. Either my people are lost or I will save them. Who else do they have to fight for them? Even if it is their cursed lord who might bring them destruction.”

“I will fight for them.” Because they were important to him, and because of how he’d helped me with Gerand. I’d fight for him and anyone he wanted me to.

A flash of fear shot through his gaze. His entire body tensed at my words. He stepped even closer, his wings spread, almost filling the room. “I can’t let you get caught up in that. I won’t.”

“And so you’re going to give Misophae to Aeria for them?”

He slumped looking defeated. “No.”

My eyes widened in surprise.

“How can I do that when you are there? Don’t you see, Denara? Either I lose you, or I lose the chance to rescue my people. You’ve ruined everything.” He clenched his jaw so hard a vein bulged in his neck. “But I refuse to let you take the brunt of all the damage I have already caused.”

“You can’t save some while sacrificing others, Vaelor.”

He ran his hands through his hair, something vulnerable flashing across his face. “Working within the rules set out for you—that you’re expected to live by. That is the only way to guarantee safety.”

I moved even closer and laid my hand on his shoulder. “If as soon as you step out of line you are slapped down by those same expectations, well, that doesn’t sound like safety to me.”

“Even if it’s imperfect, it is the only thing that is guaranteed. Which is why I can’t be with you…”

I placed my hands on either side of his face, determination rushing through me. “I’m not leaving. You’re bound by the rules and expectations of Spiritu Malignos and Aeria, but I’m not. We can work together to free you and your people.”

Sorrow filled his eyes and he gripped my wrists, pulling them from his face. “I am chained to Spiritu Malignos for the rest of my existence. And there is an entire army I am a part of that wants you dead. I cannot escape it… there is no scenario where we can be together.”

Even if I freed him from the curse and somehow rescued his people, in the end, he’d still be nothing more than a soldier forced to serve Spiritu Malignos.

He’d still be lost to me.

“Even if that’s true,” I whispered. “I refuse to give up on you.” There had to be a way to free him from the curse, from Spiritu Malignos, from everything.

“Denara, please go back. I promise nothing ill will befall you on my account.” He held my wrists gently, like he expected any moment for me to pull away. “I see what Derand is, I understand that it is special. But it's even more precious because it is the only place where I can be sure you’ll be safe.”

“I don’t want to be safe. I want to help you.”