TBC: Chapter Fifty-Eight

Aderes smiled from where he sat against the back wall of his cell. The warm feeling that expanded within his chest told him that Lesiana was safe. He stared at the bars before him and relaxed. He had been left alone since Mordán hurriedly ran away with the guards earlier. Given the commotion, no one bothered to relock the suppression binds around his wrists, so he had tossed them out of the cell and into the shadows. The pain in his body had mostly subsided. He knew, however, that his few hours of painless solitude were almost over.

As he sat enjoying the silence around him, his thoughts returned to the last several days. He didn't regret disobeying orders and rescuing his sister. He felt nothing but freedom and satisfaction. It took the events of the past several days for him to realize that he couldn't be a part of any system, whether its goal was to bring more light into the world or not. Although he wished to be a part of balancing light, as was his nature, the actions of the Order still felt too restrictive to him. Helping others didn't always mean there was a successful outcome for all involved. Lesiana had to live a life she didn't want, so others would be spared from danger. It was a sacrifice she had never deserved. Now she was safe, but as a result, others were in danger of Mordán's wrath.

Aderes understood that he may have caused more trouble for the Order, but in the moment, he didn't care. He was willing to sacrifice his life by choice, so Lesiana wouldn't have to sacrifice hers anymore. In his opinion, the Order was getting the better asset of the two, and he would do whatever he could to keep it that way.

A calmness overcame him as he heard the expected footsteps walk slowly down the cave pathway. He opened his eyes slowly and flashed Mordán a lazy smile through the cell bars.

"If I find her, I will kill her," Mordán stated with venom in his voice. "And her blood will be on your hands."

Aderes's smile widened. "Is this the way you love all women, Mordán?"

Mordán's face paled.

"Yes, Mordán. The Order knows of your affection for my sister and how you couldn't get her to love you without magic." He blinked slowly and raised an eyebrow. "Maybe you should spend less time on your plans to take over the planet and more on your relationship skills."

Mordán's face reddened. He gripped the cell bars tighter. "You'll regret it when Akila opens this cell."

Aderes cast Mordán a serious look. "You never would have won my sister over anyway. You wanted to cage her and as you found out the hard way, no one in my family likes a cage."

Mordán sneered. "Like the one you're in now, Aderes? I don't exactly see a path to your freedom."

"You underestimate my will, Mordán. Even the Order couldn't keep me in their cage, and you won't keep me in yours either."

"Ah, but now I have you, Aderes. You're at my mercy."

"Do not taunt my prisoner, Mordán," a soft voice said from the shadows. Akila stepped into the low light. "He has a big task ahead of him." She studied Aderes through the bars. Her eyes widened as she looked down at his hands. "Where are his suppression binds?"

Aderes smiled.

"The bars were sealed when I found him. Lesiana must have unlatched them," Mordán stated.

Aderes stared at Akila without fear. "If you think you will force me to do anything, Witch, think again. Do whatever you may to me, but I will never be under anyone's control, especially yours."

"I know," Akila said softly. "I will not try to force you to do anything. You will do it voluntarily."

Aderes slowly stood and leaned against the back wall, a lighthearted look in his eyes. "No, Akila. I volunteer only for my own desires."

Aderes closed his eyes and allowed love for his sister to flood through him. His eyes lit up brightly as he whipped the dagger from behind his back and jammed it into his own heart.

Aderes's insides turned to ice as he felt his energy leave him. He dropped to his knees as the moonfire blade released its poison.

I love you, Lesiana. Never forget.

Mordán's and Akila's eyes both widened.

"He's poisoned his own blood!" Mordán shouted.

In a furious rush, Akila opened the cell bars with the tip of her staff.

A blue and orange glow flashed through Aderes's eyes and then disappeared, leaving only a peaceful, blank gaze on his face.

He fell, face forward, onto the cell floor.

***