Chapter 20
20
DAMIEN
A s night fell and I flew toward Obsidian Reach, the island that was both my sanctuary and my prison, the imposing silhouette of the volcano loomed before me, an unpleasant reminder of the isolation imposed by my exile. The sea churned around the island, turbulent waves crashing against its rocky shores with a relentless energy that mirrored the turmoil inside me.
I ascended the rugged path that led into the volcano, the familiar smell of sulfur and ash greeting me as I entered the cavernous space that served as my home. The interior was vast, with natural tunnels and chambers carved by ancient flows of molten lava. Here, amidst the desolate, barren landscape, I had found a strange peace, but today my mind was far from peaceful.
Uncle Bai was exactly where I expected to find him—in the main chamber, nestled among piles of ancient texts and scrolls, his reading glasses perched on the bridge of his nose. The soft glow of the magma chamber cast flickering shadows across the walls, painting his features in a dance of light and shadow.
“Back so soon?” he remarked without looking up, his voice echoing slightly in the enormous chamber as I shifted back into my human form.
I paused and took a moment to compose my thoughts before responding. “We have a problem.” The grave tone of my voice immediately caught his attention. Uncle Bai set his book aside and looked up at me, his expression shifting to one of concern. “The emperor is stirring the waters,” I continued, walking closer to where he sat. “There’s a song— 'Song of the Dragon Rider .' It’s—”
“I know about the song,” he interrupted. “I was there at the Nightwing Banquet. I heard it myself.” His expression was somber, the burden of the implications clearly not lost on him.
I felt a chill despite the heat from the magma. “The song is about Lady Arya and me. About the twin flame mark we share.”
Uncle Bai slowly nodded. “The emperor did not take kindly to it,” he added. “He sent a very clear message when he killed the singer right there in front of everyone.”
Silence fell as we each considered the dire implications. “He suspects the truth,” I concluded, the words acid on my tongue.
“Yes, he's on edge, and rightly so,” Uncle Bai responded. He rose from his seat with a seriousness that matched the gravity of our conversation. “This could escalate quickly if he believes the legends are more than just myths.”
“He visited Lady Arya’s family and mentioned that he smelled me at the Ryder residence,” I added, frustration lacing my words. I remained on the grounds after leaving Cat’s chambers and couldn’t miss the frantic servants and their terrified whispers that Emperor Valenor had come. I climbed the high walls and listened to learn why the emperor decided to pay them a visit. It was risky, but I couldn’t just run and cower away. “How he managed that, I don’t know, but it means he’s already suspicious.”
Uncle Bai's gaze was piercing. “Valenor’s reach is long, and his methods are not always obvious. We must assume he has his ways and means,” he cautioned. “We need to prepare for his next move.”
I clenched my fists, feeling the weight of a crown I never wanted. “I won’t let him destroy what little peace I’ve found here,” I stated firmly, resolve hardening within me.
“You mean the peace you’ve found with Lady Arya? Because you’ve never been at peace here in Obsidian Reach.” Uncle Bai raised a brow knowingly. “It seems things are going well between the two of you.”
I lowered my head and nodded. I wanted to tell my uncle everything. About who she really was, about the night we spent together, about everything, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I felt as if doing so would put her at risk. Something was bothering me that I couldn’t quite put my finger on. Especially after she’d spoken with the seer, Malachar.
And since I still didn’t have my Heart Scale, I was vulnerable. I touched my chest where my Heart Scale was meant to be and frowned. “I think the emperor will be paying us a visit soon.”
Uncle Bai nodded. “That may very well be true. If he’s already in the Northern District, that means he plans to roam Elaria to learn what people are talking about and to see you.”
“There’s another song we need to worry about,” I whispered as I peered over at my uncle.
“ The Song of the Shadow Prince ,” he said with a sigh, and I nodded. “These are popular folk songs that the people sing. I’m sure he’s already aware.”
“I haven’t seen my father in fifty-odd years. If he comes here… with the seer… he will learn I have my dragon bones. There’s no hiding it,” I said flatly. “Which means every word of the songs will be proven true.”
“Damien…” Uncle Bai set his reading glasses aside and came toward me. “You’re no longer the once powerless, twenty-year-old lad. You’re seventy-five years old,” he said confidently. “You might still be young in dragon years, but you are strong. Do not cower before your father. Remember that only the strong survive, and I will be here to support you every step of the way.”
Uncle Bai's words, while reassuring, couldn't fully dispel the unease that coiled like a serpent in my gut. The prospect of facing my father after so many decades, under such threatening circumstances, was a daunting one. The politics of dragonkind were intricate and often cruel, and I’d never been a part of it.
“I appreciate your faith in me,” I responded, attempting to match his conviction. “But it's not just about facing him. It’s about protecting those who are inadvertently drawn into this... chaos. Arya, for one.”
Uncle Bai nodded, understanding the depth of my concern. “Then we must prepare,” he said solemnly. “Not just for a confrontation, but for all possible outcomes. Our strategies must be as fluid and adaptable as the lava that flows beneath us.”
I paced a short path before the glowing magma, the natural light casting bizarre shadows on the walls. “And what about the legends? If they prove true, if I am to take the throne...” The words felt foreign on my tongue, a destiny I had never desired.
Uncle Bai’s presence was always a steadying force, his wisdom gleaned from centuries of living through the upheavals of dragon politics. As the elder brother, he was supposed to be emperor, but to avoid bloodshed and a fight for the throne with his younger brother, he gave it to my father.
He placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder, his touch grounding. “Remember what I've always told you, Damien. If you choose not to take the throne, I'll support that decision. We can find another way to resolve this.”
I looked towards the magma’s flickering shadows and felt the heat wrap around us like a protective cloak, the mantle of responsibility pressing down upon me uncomfortably. “I know, and I’m grateful for it. But it’s not just about what I want anymore. There's too much at stake, especially with Arya involved.”
Uncle Bai nodded, his eyes serious. “Indeed, protecting her must be a priority. As your twin flame, she’s become entwined in this far deeper than either of us anticipated. We must ensure her safety, first and foremost.”
“And about the emperor...” I hesitated, the thought of confronting my father after decades was a daunting prospect. “He's likely to increase his scrutiny, especially with these songs circulating.”
Uncle Bai walked over to a large, worn map spread across a table and began to trace routes with his finger. “We’ll prepare for his inevitable visit. I’ll reach out to some old allies and gather support. He’s made many enemies over the years. We’ll be ready for any moves he might make.”
“I don’t want to lead, Uncle,” I confessed, watching the molten rock pulse beneath us. “But if it comes to it, if it’s the only way to protect Arya and keep the peace...”
“Then we’ll make sure you’re prepared,” he finished for me, giving a firm nod. “But we'll also keep looking for any other possible solution. Your destiny isn't written in stone, even if it seems so. We’ll write it ourselves, Damien.”
Deep rumbles within the heart of the volcano woke me from a restless sleep, its vibrations more urgent than the usual stirrings of the earth. My heart pounded with a premonition of trouble as the echoes of powerful wings beating against hot air reached my ears. I shot up in bed, the back of my neck prickling with tension.
I barely had time to pull on a shirt before the ground shook and something massive landed within the open cavern that served as the entrance to our home. I rushed out of my bedroom, my feet barely touching the ground as I raced along the corridors.
When I entered the main hall, Uncle Bai was already there, standing firm and calm despite the early hour. His expression was grave as he faced our uninvited guests.
Standing in the midst of swirling volcanic ash and flickering shadows was Emperor Valenor, my father. He was in his half-dragon form, his enormous wings slightly unfurled and his scales shimmering in the dim light. In his arms, he carried Malachar, the seer and his right-hand man, who clung to him like a dark shadow. The seer’s hood had fallen back, revealing blind, milky white eyes that saw more than most.
“Valenor,” Uncle Bai greeted with a cautious nod. “To what do we owe this unexpected visit?”
The emperor gently set Malachar down before straightening to his full imposing height. “I wish to speak with my son,” he declared, his voice echoing off the stone walls, turning every syllable into a threat.
I stepped out of the shadows at the back of the hall. “I’m here, Your Majesty,” I said, my voice steady despite my tumultuous emotions. “What brings you to Obsidian Reach?”
The emperor’s gaze fixed on me, intense and calculating. “Your Majesty?” he echoed. “Is this how you address your father?”
I snorted quietly. “I dare not disrespect you for fear of retribution, Your Majesty.” I bowed slightly and straightened.
He growled but didn’t respond. “It seems you’ve made quite a home for yourselves here,” he said as he began to pace the area. “So many decades sequestered to a volcano would drive an ordinary man insane. But not you. No, quite the opposite. You look saner than ever. Isn’t that so, Malachar?”
The seer nodded silently.
“What are you implying, brother?” Uncle Bai casually stepped in front of me, protecting me from potential threats.
“Oh, nothing, my dear brother. Just conversing.” He scanned our dwelling. “News reaches even the far depths of Elaria, Damien. Songs of Dragon Riders and Shadow Princes stir the air. I came to see if the tales have any truth.”
Malachar stepped forward, his face impassive. “We have concerns about your allegiance and your actions, Damien. The empire needs unity, not rebels.”
I clenched my fists and fought the surge of anger their accusations stirred. “I have done nothing against the empire. I merely seek peace… and freedom.”
“Peace?” the emperor scoffed, glancing around the volcanic lair with disdain. “This isolation speaks more of plotting than peace.”
Uncle Bai smoothly interjected, “Damien has lived here under your orders, Valenor. If there are plots, they are not born from his desires.”
The emperor paced a short line, his talons scraping against the rock. “And of whose desires would they be from? Hmm?”
“You would have to ask Malachar,” Uncle Bai calmly stated. “He is your seer, after all. Isn’t he all knowing?”
The emperor gritted his teeth in annoyance and rolled his eyes. Turning his back to us, he brushed his clawed fingers against the molten lava. “I paid a visit to your lover’s home. She’s quite a girl, Damien.”
I furrowed my brows in confusion. I wasn’t supposed to know anything, so I had to play stupid. “Who are you speaking of? I have no lover.”
The emperor tossed his head back and laughed. “Don’t play the fool, Damien, I know about the Ryder girl.”
“I am no longer in talks with Lady Gianna—”
“That is not the Ryder girl I’m talking about,” the emperor cut me off, whirling around with a gleeful smirk. “Lady Arya is quite special, is she not, Malachar?” He turned to his seer knowingly.
Malachar nodded. “She is.”
I felt my heart stop beating for a split second and tried to remember how to breathe. How did he know about Cat? It was impossible unless… Did the seer have a vision?
“You must be so confused right now,” the emperor chuckled. “I love that expression on your face. It’s an intoxicating blend of confusion and fear, with a tint of anger. It’s quite wonderful. It gets me all excited.”
“Valenor…” Uncle Bai stepped toward his brother, his tone placating. “Let’s discuss this calmly. There’s no need—”
“Calmly?” he scoffed. “You have both been lying to me!” he shouted, his voice echoing in the volcano. “He found his twin flame and neither of you cared to inform me?”
The emperor's tone dripped with betrayal, his gaze piercing me as if trying to unravel my thoughts thread by thread. I fought to maintain my composure, knowing any wrong word could escalate the tension further.
“Your Majesty,” I began, my voice steady despite my inner turmoil, “Arya is not my twin flame. That's a legend, nothing more than a myth,” I lied.
“Is it?” Valenor cut in sharply, his eyes narrowing. “Or is it a convenient excuse for your secrecy? Malachar, tell me, what did your visions reveal?”
Malachar, ever the enigma, remained still for a moment before speaking, his voice low and resonant. “The threads of fate are tangled around Damien and Lady Arya. Their destinies are… intertwined.”
I clenched my jaw as frustration threatened to boil over. This was quickly getting out of hand. “Whatever you think you've seen,” I countered, “changes nothing about my intentions or my actions. I seek freedom, not power.”
The emperor stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. “Freedom, power, love... whatever you claim to seek, it all leads back to the throne, doesn't it, my son?” His words were a trap snapping shut around me.
Uncle Bai stepped between us, his demeanor calm but firm. “Valenor, brother, Damien has done nothing to warrant such accusations. He's complied with your edicts and stayed within the bounds you set. Let's not turn misunderstandings into hostilities.”
“Stayed within the bounds I set?” he repeated. “Ha! That is the biggest lie you’ve told. I already know he’s been sneaking in and out of Obsidian Reach. Never forget – there is nothing you can hide from me, Shadow Prince .” The emperor's voice echoed ominously through the volcanic chamber like a dense fog.
A cold shiver ran down my spine. His knowledge of my movements was more extensive than I feared.
Uncle Bai maintained his composure, though I saw a flicker of concern cross his face. “Your Majesty, if Damien has left the island, it was surely with good reason—perhaps one that might serve the realm in ways we have yet to understand.”
“Good reason?” The emperor's laugh was harsh, a grating sound that bounced off the stony walls and mocked our predicament. “Leaving without permission from his exile is treason, Bai. You know the laws.”
I stepped forward, feeling a surge of defiance. “Your Majesty, whatever you think you know, you're wrong. I haven't conspired against you or the realm. I only seek—”
“To protect your interests and those of your... companion?” the emperor cut me off, his eyes narrowing dangerously. “Don’t be foolish enough to think your actions go unnoticed. The ties you’ve formed, the alliances you think are hidden. I am not a fool, Damien. And don’t think for one second I don’t know how you get off this island,” he said knowingly.
This was it. This was what I’d been waiting for him to bring up. My dragon bones.
“How you retrieved them, I do not know,” he said angrily. “To have survived an active volcano in your human form is a feat no mortal should have survived. But let’s not give the people any more reason to praise you.” He turned to Malachar. “Take them. And this time, hide them well.”
He was going to take my dragon bones again. No . I couldn’t let him do it. Not again .
Uncle Bai was right. I was no longer twenty years old. I might still be young, but I was not a child and it was time I stood up to my tyrannical father. I was the Shadow Prince, after all.
When the seer stepped forward to do his master’s bidding, I barked, “No!” Uncle Bai blocked his way. “You will not take them. Not this time.”
My father's face twisted into a snarl, his nostrils flaring as he glared. “You dare defy me in my own realm?” his voice boomed, echoing off the volcano’s cavernous walls.
“I defy anyone who threatens my peace,” I growled, my voice a mix of human and dragon, a deep rumble that vibrated through the air.
My father's imposing figure loomed over me, his form caught between man and dragon, his features twisted into a monstrous hybrid. His scales, a deep green, shimmered menacingly in the dim light of the volcano. His eyes, a piercing gold, bore into me with ferocious intensity.
Feeling the mounting danger, I allowed the dragon within me to rise. My skin tingled as scales pushed through, hardening into a protective layer. My hands morphed into claws that sprouted where my fingernails had been, each one sharp enough to rend stone. My senses heightened to magnify every sound in the volcano, from the slow drip of molten rock to my father's heavy, furious breaths.
The clash began with an explosive charge from the emperor. His half-dragon form rippled with power, his scales glistening under the volcanic light. I met his charge head-on, our bodies colliding with a resounding crack that echoed off the cavernous walls. Claws clashed and sparks flew, hurling eerie shadows that danced wildly around us. I pivoted to the side, narrowly evading a swipe from his talons that could have eviscerated stone—and me. The air whistled from the ferocity of his attack, a chilling reminder of the lethal force behind each strike. My counter move was a swift, sharp jab aimed at his underbelly, where the dragon scales merged with human flesh—a weak spot I hoped to exploit.
The emperor reeled back, a low growl rumbling from his throat, his eyes burning with a fierce, golden intensity. He retaliated with a sweeping tail strike that I barely ducked under, narrowly missing the belch of angry flame that singed the air above my head.
We circled each other on grounds that were cracked and scorched from the intensity of our battle. I lunged and feinted left before darting right, my claws aiming for his flank. He countered seamlessly, catching my wrist and twisting it in a painful, ironclad grip. With a forceful yank, I pulled free, but not without sustaining a deep scratch that drew blood.
The emperor didn't pause, pressing his advantage. He advanced, his form a blur of movement, part human, part beast, and utterly terrifying. I backed away, leaning on my youth and agility to keep distance between us, my heart pounding in my ears. Every breath I drew was superheated by the surrounding lava; it burned my lungs and fueled my determination.
With a roar, I shifted my stance and lowered my center of gravity as I prepared for his next assault. It came as a thunderous charge, his body barreling toward me like a living battering ram. I sidestepped at the last moment, grabbing his arm and using his forward momentum to hurl him toward the cavern wall. The impact shook the chamber hard enough that loose rocks tumbled from above.
My father staggered and then straightened, wiping a trickle of blood from his lip. His smile was thin, almost approving. “Good,” he hissed. “But not good enough.”
He attacked again, this time with a series of rapid, slicing strikes, each one a deadly dance of dragon and man. I parried, blocked, and dodged, but each move cost me more energy than I cared to admit. The heat from the lava pools added an oppressive weight to each breath I dragged into my lungs.
In a desperate bid for control, I feinted a high strike then swept low, aiming to knock his legs out from under him. He anticipated the move and jumped back, but he wasn’t fast enough to avoid a shallow cut across his thigh. A minor wound, but a victory, nonetheless.
We paused and took a moment to catch our breath, the sound of molten rock bubbling in the background a steady reminder of the dangerous ground we fought upon. Sweat and blood mixed on my brow to drip into my eyes with a sharp sting.
The emperor lunged anew, his eyes alight with a warrior’s fire. This fight was far from over. Each warrior tested the limits of their endurance, will, and the bonds that tied us as family yet pitted us as foes.
His colossal form pitched dark shadows onto the rough-hewn walls that loomed and flickered menacingly. I met each assault with equal vigor, my claws scraping against his scales and throwing sparks that mingled with the sulfurous air. Mirrors of rage and determination, our attacks reflected each other’s intensity. I dodged a tail whip that cracked like a lash through the air and retaliated with a swipe that grazed the emperor’s shoulder, ripping a shallow mark into his tough hide.
His furious growl vibrated through the cavern and his eyes narrowed into slits of molten gold. With a powerful heave, he placed both clawed hands against my chest and pushed me backward. I stumbled and nearly lost my footing on the uneven ground but quickly regained my balance, knowing one careless move could end me. I shook my head and charged, and our bodies collided with a force that sent tremors rippling through the ground. We grappled fiercely, each seeking a weak spot to press our advantage.
The struggle was a testament to our evenly matched strength and skill, infuriating as it was that neither of us could gain the upper hand for more than a fleeting second. We broke apart, panting, our bodies slick with sweat and the lava pools adding an unbearable weight to our limbs.
The emperor stood tall, his chest heaving, his gaze locked on mine. I mirrored his posture and felt the burn of exertion in every muscle. We warily circled one another, the tension between us crackling like the molten rock that surrounded us.
“Damien,” he growled, steadying himself, “you have grown strong. But strength alone does not rule an empire.”
“And fear does not keep it!” I retorted, standing my ground.
“Your Majesty,” Malachar interrupted. The seer stood beside Uncle Bai, watching silently but unable to interfere with our fight. “There’s no need to rid the third prince of his dragon bones.”
“Oh?” The emperor raised a brow. “And why is that?”
“Because you’ve already taken away his strength. Without it, he’s powerless,” Malachar declared with a shrug.
I frowned and met my uncle’s gaze, unsure what the hell they were talking about. Was he talking about my Heart Scale? The loss of it made me vulnerable, killable, but it didn’t give me strength.
“What do you mean?” Uncle Bai glanced between my father and the seer. Then his eyes widened and he gasped. “You can’t possibly mean—”
The emperor smirked as he looked up at the opening of the volcano to see dawn creeping into my abode. “Her betrothal gifts should be arriving any moment,” he sneered.
Betrothal gifts?
He couldn’t possibly mean…
“Who is she?” I stepped forward, ready to continue our fight as my anger rose to impossible levels. “Who?!” I shouted so loud the echoing volcano’s foundations shook.
The emperor chuckled. “Who else? A bride for the crown prince, of course.” He dusted the dirt from his clothing. “So Elaria believes there’s a Dragon Rider in the realm bearing a twin flame mark? So be it. But it won’t be you who is her equal.”
I tightened my fists at my sides, clenching them hard enough that my nails bit into my palms and drew blood. My heart thundered, pounding so loudly it almost drowned out the crackles of simmering lava around us. He meant to marry Cat to my brother. “You can't decide who her twin flame is!” I spat, the words tasting bitter in my mouth.
The emperor's ominous laugh echoed through the cavern, mixing with the rumbling from the depths of the volcano. “Oh, but I can, Damien. And I have. The tales have been spun, and the prophecies were aligned by your own actions. You made it too easy!” he crowed.
Uncle Bai stepped closer, his voice low and urgent. “Valenor, this isn't the way. You cannot force destiny. His Heart Scale and dragon bones—”
“Are merely tools,” the emperor interrupted, his eyes gleaming with arctic fire. “Tools I control. And as for destiny,” he turned his fathomless gaze back to me, “it is mine to command.”
The air was charged with choking tension that made it hard to drag breaths into my lungs. Every beat of my heart was a drum of war against the tyranny before me.
When the emperor took a step forward, the ground beneath his feet cracked with the force of his power. “Consider this a warning, Damien. Step out of line again, and it won't just be your bones at risk, but everything you hold dear.”
I gritted my teeth as my anger boiled like the molten rock surrounding us. “I will not stand by and let you dictate my fate— or hers.” The silence that followed my defiant words was deafening, charged with the looming threat of the emperor's displeasure.
Perhaps it was foolish of me, but I’d promised Cat could return to her world. If she married Thorne, she would be trapped here forever with no way out. I stared at Malachar. He knew Cat’s secret. Why was he pushing for this? From what I overheard of his conversation with Cat, he’d already told her how to return to her world.
My father stood under the light streaming into the volcanic chamber, his silhouette imposing against the early sun’s fiery glow. His next words were cold and calculated, laden with a venom that was both chilling and revealing. “Damien, you've always been so sure of your place in this world, haven't you?” His voice was smooth, almost mocking. “But what if I told you that everything you believe is built on a foundation of sand?”
“Valenor, stop!” Uncle Bai shouted. He stepped forward, but Malachar intercepted him. “Enough!”
I stiffened. My instincts screamed that this was more than just another of his mind games. “What are you implying?” I demanded, my voice echoing off the lava filled walls.
He turned slowly, his face a mask of contempt. “I'm merely suggesting that your claim to any throne through me might be... misplaced.”
I frowned as I repeated his words in my head until the truth of them hit me like a physical blow and dread settled in my stomach. I glanced at Uncle Bai, searching his face for some sign of denial, but his expression was grave, his eyes avoiding mine.
I wasn’t the emperor’s biological son. He was never my father. And Uncle Bai was never my uncle.
“No matter what, Damien,” Uncle Bai started, “I will always be your uncle. Blood doesn’t matter. Sometimes we choose our own family instead of the family into which we were born.” He shot the emperor a heated glare. His words provided a bit of solace, knowing that my uncle stayed by my side not out of duty, but because he actually considered me family.
I offered him a brief nod and turned to the emperor, who looked at us with a mocking expression. “Why am I even a prince, then?” What I really wanted to ask was, Why have you tormented me my whole life? Anger and desperation clawed at my throat.
The emperor's laugh was a harsh, grating sound that filled the cavern. “Because of her ,” he spat bitterly. “Your mother, the late empress. She died giving birth to you, a death I hold you personally responsible for. She begged me with her last breath to protect you and give you a title for her sake, not mine.”
“Who is my father?” I looked between the emperor and Uncle Bai
The emperor scoffed. “As if I know. She took that secret to her grave by refusing to tell a soul.”
Each word was laden with accusation. His gaze was piercing, and in it, I saw not only disdain, but a deep-seated resentment that had festered over the decades.
“And you think a phony title absolves you of your hateful nature?” I countered, my voice low, trying to keep my composure under the burden of his revelations.
“Nature, destiny, it matters little,” he sneered. “You are here because of a promise I made to a dying woman and nothing more. Do not presume it grants you any favor in my eyes.”
Uncle Bai finally spoke, his voice a calm counter to the emperor's hostile cruelty. “He has lived as you demanded, in isolation, away from the machinations of your court. Enough is enough, Valenor. This isn’t what Seraphina wanted you to do for her son.”
The emperor dismissed his older brother with a wave of his hand. “Isolation or not, he remains a threat. A shadow prince, perhaps, but even shadows can stretch far in the right light.”
I shook my head. I couldn’t think about this now. None of this mattered. I needed to protect Cat. Cat was the only thing that mattered. “You can’t marry her to Thorne,” I argued. “She won’t accept, and neither with Thorne.”
The emperor snorted and turned to leave. “That’s where you’re wrong, Damien. Thorne himself sent the betrothal gifts. He is fully aware who he is proposing to. Did you think your brotherly bond would stop him?”
I froze. Thorne knew? No. He must have a plan in place. He would never betray me.
“Malachar, let’s go. I’m tired of this dreadful space.” The emperor curled his lip in disgust and spread his wings.
The seer bowed. “Yes, Your Majesty.” He passed Uncle Bai and started by me, then paused and leaned in close. “Your Highness, I’ll give you the same advice I gave Lady Arya…” He looked at me knowingly. “Be careful who you trust.”