Mercy
Kirin's heart was beating like a drum when they made their way to the mines. They did not want the guards to see them coming on the broad road, so they took a steep climb through rough terrain. It only allowed one person at a time, but he was glad he didn't have to look at the demon.
He lost his footing for a moment and grasped for a rock outcrop. The quiver tilted on his back. One of the arrows slid out, then disappeared into the void below him. He closed his eyes in panic, but a strong arm steadied him, then pulled him up from the narrow path onto a plateau.
Kirin shook it off as soon as he could. The sound of the snapping neck still rang in his ears. Was this the same man who had been so gentle with him and made him experience sensations he had not even known were possible before? Had he lain like that with Lenora as well? Would he end Kirin's life so remorselessly, too?
The demon nudged him and pointed ahead. "When we cross this plateau, we should be right on top of the mine. We can take most of them out from above."
Kirin nodded, but just kept his gaze on the abyss below as he took the bow off his shoulder.
"Maybe you need to rest first. You can't shoot anything with such shaking hands," Valerien said.
"Anything?" Kirin whispered. He whirled around, anger shooting through him like burning flames. "Anything? Is that why it is so easy for you? Is everyone just a 'thing' to you? An obstacle in your way?!"
"What did you think would happen? We would just come up here and ask nicely?" Valerien replied coldly.
"But she was to be your wife!" Kirin exploded.
Valerien stiffened. "Only a bard would think of marriage as a matter of choice."
"But she trusted you! Is that what your promises are worth?" the bard demanded.
Wildcat eyes flashed in fury, then turned from green to gold. Kirin froze. It was exactly what they had looked like when Valerien had lost control at the fort.
The demon grabbed the front of his cloak and pulled him closer. The voice was low and deceptively soft as he spoke.
"I never break my word, bard. If I had taken her back, she would have been buried alive in hot sand. Do you have any idea how long it takes for an Ice Fae to die like that?"
Kirin dug his nails into the demon's wrists and leaned into him defiantly.
"Is that the only kind of mercy you know? You could have let her make a new life here," he snarled.
Valerien bared his teeth, but it wasn't a smile.
"Until she wreaked enough havoc on your kind? Until your warlock put her in iron chains to use her for his experiments?" he growled.
Kirin stared at him, unable to find an answer. The gold slowly turned back to green again, but the coldness remained.
"You wanted to come here. If you can't do what is necessary, leave," Valerien said quietly and pushed him away.
Kirin stood and watched him walk away, feeling hollow after his outburst.
Then dull hammering from the mine below reached his ears. He gritted his teeth, slung the bow over his shoulder again and followed.