Eira's blood ran cold. "No! We didn't steal anything! We found it!"
The guards didn't listen. They grabbed Eira and Sian, wrenching their arms behind their backs and slapping handcuffs on their wrists. Eira struggled, but it was no use. The woman from the shop watched silently, her expression cold and detached.
"We didn't steal it! It's our crystal, we found it!" Sian shouted as the guards dragged them toward the door. "We didn't do anything wrong!"
But his protests fell on deaf ears. The guards shoved them into a waiting cart, its metal bars cold and unyielding. Eira's mind raced as the cart rumbled through the streets of Aether, the city's beauty now a cruel mockery.
---
The cell was pitch black and damp, they couldn't even spare one Aether crystal to brighten the place. the air thick with the stench of mildew and despair. Eira sat on the cold stone floor, her knees pulled to her chest. Tears streamed down her face as she thought of her mother, alone and sick, wondering where she was.
"She must be so worried," Eira whispered, her voice breaking. "What if she thinks I abandoned her?"
Sian sat beside her, his usual bravado replaced by a quiet determination. "We'll get out of this, Eira. I promise. We just need to figure out a plan."
Eira shook her head. "You heard what they said. Stealing Aether Crystals is punishable by years of hard labour. We'll never see the outside of this place again. And my mother would never see me again. Who's going to take care of her Sian?"
Sian reached over, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Hey, look at me. We've been through worse, remember? We'll find a way. We always do."
Eira wanted to believe him, but the weight of their situation pressed down on her like a physical force. She leaned her head against the wall, closing her eyes as the tears continued to fall.
"I just wanted to save her," she whispered. "That's all I wanted."
Sian didn't reply, but his presence was a small comfort in the darkness. For now, that was all they had.
The heavy iron door of their cell creaked open, and Eira flinched at the sudden flood of light. Two guards stood in the doorway, their polished armor gleaming under the glow of Aether Crystals embedded in the walls. One of them barked, "On your feet! You're being taken to see Lord Ashcroft."
Eira's stomach churned as she and Sian were hauled to their feet, their chains clinking loudly in the oppressive silence of the dungeon. She exchanged a glance with Sian, his face pale but resolute. Neither of them spoke as they were led through the dimly lit corridors, their footsteps echoing ominously.
When they emerged out of the dungeons after what seemed to be like hours of walking under dim tunnels, Eira blinked against the brightness. The Aether Castle loomed before them, its towering spires adorned with shimmering Aether Crystals that refracted the light into a dazzling rainbow. Gold filigree traced intricate patterns across the walls, and the air smelt faintly of flowers and incense. It was breathtaking, a stark contrast to the grim reality of the slums and the dungeon they'd just left.
"It's… beautiful," Eira whispered, unable to help herself.
"Yeah," Sian muttered, his voice tinged with bitterness. "Too bad it's built on the backs of people like us. All the crystals we gather and all of it being wasted here as decoration where places like Eclipsia has to manage with whatever little sunlight we can get."
The guards shoved them forward, and they were marched through the castle's grand halls. Servants in pristine uniforms hurried past, their eyes averted, while nobles in lavish robes whispered behind their hands. Eira felt like a stain on the pristine beauty of the place, her ragged clothes and dirt-streaked face drawing stares of disdain.
Finally, they were brought to the throne room. The doors swung open with a dramatic flourish, revealing a cavernous hall bathed in golden light. At the far end of the room, seated on a throne of crystal and gold, was Lord William Ashcroft. His presence was commanding, his sharp features framed by a neatly trimmed beard. His piercing blue eyes scanned the room with an air of cold authority.
Eira's heart pounded as they were forced to their knees before the throne. Around them, other offenders stood in chains, their faces etched with fear. Lord Ashcroft's voice boomed through the hall, each word dripping with disdain.
"You stand accused of crimes against the City of Light," he declared. "Theft, deceit, and defiance of the laws that keep our society intact. Your fate will be decided here and now."
Eira's breath hitched. She leaned closer to Sian, her voice barely a whisper. "This is worse than I thought. He's not just going to send us to the mines. He's going to make an example of us."
Sian's jaw tightened, but he managed a small, reassuring smile. "If this is it, Eira… if we don't make it out of here, there's something I need to tell you."
Eira frowned, her chest tightening. "What are you talking about?"
Sian hesitated, his eyes searching hers. "I've liked you for the longest time. Before we lost the crystal, I was planning to ask you… to start a new life with me. In Aether City. Together. I wanted us to leave Eclipsia with your mother and start a life here."
Eira stared at him, her mind reeling. She opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out. Before she could process what he'd said, their names were called.
"Eira Solwyn and Sian Veyra," a guard announced, dragging them to their feet. "Accused of stealing a large Aether Crystal from the black market. The punishment for such a crime is death."
Eira's knees buckled, but the guards held her upright. She glanced at Sian, his face pale but determined. Lord Ashcroft leaned forward, his gaze boring into them.
"Do you have anything to say in your defence?" he asked, his tone icy.
Eira swallowed hard, her voice trembling. "We didn't steal it your Lordship. We found it in the caves. We were just trying to sell it to help my mother. She's sick, and we—"
"Enough," Lord Ashcroft interrupted, raising a hand. "Your excuses mean nothing. The law is clear."
Eira's heart sank. She closed her eyes, bracing herself for the inevitable. But then, a familiar voice cut through the tension.
"Father, wait."
Eira's eyes snapped open. Standing at the edge of the throne room was Res, the young man they met the day before.
Father?
What did that mean? Was he Lord Ashcroft's son?
Eira thought.