Chapter 12: A Deal with the Darkness

Elysia paced in her chambers long after her encounter with Kael, her mind racing.

He was resisting, but she could feel it—his walls were beginning to crack.

Yet, the curse loomed over them like a shadow, an invisible chain that bound him to solitude. If Kael truly believed there was no way to break it, then she would find a way for him.

She just needed to know where to start.

A soft knock at the door startled her.

She turned, expecting a servant, but it was Ephraim.

The fae’s golden eyes flickered with amusement as he stepped inside without invitation. “You’ve been asking dangerous questions, little human.”

Elysia crossed her arms. “And you’re here to warn me?”

“Warn you? No.” Ephraim smirked. “I’m here to offer you something far more valuable—answers.”

She narrowed her eyes. “And what do you want in return?”

His grin widened. “Ah, you learn quickly. Smart girl.” He leaned against the wall. “Let’s just say I have an interest in seeing how this unfolds. Kael is a stubborn fool, but you… you are interesting.”

Elysia ignored the way his gaze lingered on her, focusing instead on his words. “You know how to break the curse?”

Ephraim chuckled. “I know the origin of it. Whether you can break it is another matter entirely.”

Her heart pounded. “Tell me.”

The fae’s amusement dimmed slightly as he folded his arms. “It is a god’s curse, Elysia. That is not something that can be undone with simple magic or mortal will.”

She clenched her fists. “Then what can break it?”

Ephraim’s gaze turned calculating. “There is only one thing that can challenge a god’s will—another god.”

Elysia’s breath caught. “You’re saying I have to—what? Strike a bargain with a god?”

His smirk returned. “If you wish to change Kael’s fate, yes. But gods do not grant favors for free. They demand sacrifice.”

A chill ran down her spine. “What kind of sacrifice?”

Ephraim tilted his head. “That depends on the god. Some ask for blood. Others ask for devotion. And some…” His gaze darkened. “Some demand things far worse.”

Elysia exhaled slowly, her mind racing. “And which god cast this curse?”

Ephraim hesitated, then spoke a name that sent a shudder through the air itself.

“Nythros.”

Elysia had never heard the name before, but the way Ephraim said it—soft, reverent, almost afraid—made her stomach twist.

“He is the god of endings,” Ephraim continued. “A deity of shadows, fate, and suffering. No one bargains with him and walks away unscathed.”

A cold weight settled in her chest. “Then why did he curse Kael’s bloodline?”

Ephraim’s smirk faded completely.

“Because the Varenthian kings defied him.”

Elysia frowned. “Varenthian?”

“That was Kael’s true lineage. His ancestors were once rulers of a great kingdom—one that refused to worship Nythros. They rejected his will, burned his temples, and sought to break free from his influence.” Ephraim’s golden eyes gleamed. “So he punished them. He cursed their bloodline, ensuring that every heir of Varenthia would suffer eternal loss. No love, no legacy—only ruin.”

Elysia’s heart pounded. “And Kael is the last of them.”

“Yes.” Ephraim leaned in slightly. “And if he dares to love you, Elysia, you will suffer the same fate.”

She swallowed hard, but she refused to look away. “Then I need to find Nythros.”

Ephraim chuckled darkly. “And what will you do, little human? Bargain with a god of endings?”

“If that’s what it takes.”

His amusement faltered for a brief moment before he let out a slow, appreciative whistle. “You really are reckless. No wonder Kael doesn’t know what to do with you.”

Elysia ignored the comment. “Where do I find him?”

Ephraim’s gaze turned serious. “The only way to reach Nythros is through the Vale of Shadows—a place between life and death, where lost souls wander.”

Her stomach tightened. “How do I get there?”

Ephraim exhaled slowly, as if debating whether to tell her. Then, finally, he spoke.

“There is an ancient ritual, hidden deep within the castle archives. It will open a door to the Vale, but once you step inside, there is no guarantee you’ll return.”

Elysia set her jaw. “Tell me how to find it.”

Ephraim studied her for a long moment before shaking his head. “You’re either the bravest or the most foolish human I’ve ever met.”

Then he leaned in, voice low, filled with something almost like admiration.

“The ritual is in the Forbidden Wing of the castle. If you truly wish to risk your soul, that is where you begin.”

Elysia’s pulse thundered in her ears.

This was it. The path to breaking the curse.

And no matter the cost, she would take it.

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