POV: KIERAN
Timeline: Same time
Location: Shadow Court Prison
---
The pain stops.
Finally.
I don't know how long it's been. Minutes? Hours? Time doesn't work right here.
I'm on the floor of the cell, shaking, soaked in sweat.
"Impressive," Mira's voice says. "Most people break within the first session. You lasted three."
I can't respond. Can barely breathe.
"But everyone breaks eventually." She crouches beside the bars. "Shall we try something different? Physical pain instead of magical?"
"Fuck… you…" I gasp.
"Such language." She stands. "Bring in the tools."
---
A Shadow Court member appears with a table.
On it: implements I recognize from horror movies.
Knives.
Brands.
Other things I can't identify.
"Wait—" My voice is hoarse. "You don't—you need me alive—for the trap—"
"We need you alive. We don't need you whole." She picks up a knife. Studies it. "A few scars won't hurt the bait. Might even make your rescue party more… motivated."
"Please—"
"Begging? Already?" She sounds disappointed. "I expected more fight from the Dark King's husband."
---
That sparks something in me.
Anger cutting through the fear.
"I'm not… begging," I force out. "I'm warning you."
"Warning me?" She laughs.
"When they get here—" I struggle to sit up. "When Ravion finds you—" My eyes meet hers. "You're going to wish you'd killed me. Because what he'll do to you will be so much worse."
Her smile falters.
Just slightly.
"Brave words from a prisoner."
"Not brave. Just… fact." I lean back against the wall. "He's the Dark King. He's ended kingdoms. Destroyed armies. And that was before someone took his husband." I smile despite the pain. "You have no idea what's coming."
"Neither do you."
But she sets down the knife.
"Physical torture can wait. Let's try something else."
---
She waves her hand.
The cell walls shimmer.
And suddenly I'm not in the cell anymore.
---
I'm in Nocterra.
In our chambers.
Ravion is there.
"Kieran," he says.
But his voice is wrong.
Cold.
"What—"
"This is your fault," he continues. "You got captured. You walked into an obvious trap. You're weak."
"No—this isn't real—"
"You're a liability. I should never have married you." His eyes are empty. "The real Kaelis would never have been caught. You're just a mistake from the wrong timeline."
"Stop—"
"I don't love you. I never did. You were just… convenient."
---
Even knowing it's an illusion, the words cut.
"Not real," I whisper. "Not real not real not real—"
---
The illusion shifts.
Now I'm in the Tidelands.
Kaelis is there.
"You're pathetic," my twin says, voice full of disgust. "I jumped in front of death magic for you and this is how you repay me? Getting caught?"
"Kaelis, please—"
"You're not my brother. My brother would be strong. You're just weak." He turns away. "I wish you'd never fallen through that portal."
"STOP!"
---
The illusion shatters.
I'm back in the cell.
Mira is watching with clinical interest.
"Interesting. The husband's rejection hurt less than the twin's." She makes a note. "Good to know for next time."
"Fuck you," I gasp, tears streaming down my face even though I know it wasn't real.
"You keep saying that. It's losing impact." She moves to leave. "We'll try again in an hour. See what other fears we can exploit."
---
She leaves me alone in the dark.
I curl up on the cold floor.
Not real.
Not real.
Ravion loves me.
Kaelis loves me.
Not real.
But the doubt is there now.