Chapter 65
Zogar
The door to our cell opens, and I blink against the light streaming in.
The single candle they gave us, burned out over an hour ago, leaving us in complete darkness.
And with all of our hands bound in copper, none of us has been able to use magic to create light.
The klericks knowing to use copper to dull our magic is yet more proof that they’re mages.
“You.” The guard points toward me. “Come.”
I take a strong stance to confront him. “I’m not going anywhere without the others.”
“Do you want to see the Prime Klerick or not?” The guard shakes his head as if annoyed.
I glance toward Surath, then the others.
Their expressions tell me they think I should go.
It’s bad enough that I’ve been separated from my wife, I don’t want to be separated from Surath, Xendus and Saxon, too.
But this meeting could prove very useful and provide clues as to what we might face at the tribunal, and more importantly, how we can expose the fallacies and hypocrisies around this religion.
I step forward. The guard roughly grabs the copper chains around my bound hands and drags me out of the cell. Five other guards stand armed and ready, as if they think I’ll attack at any moment.
Good. They should be afraid of me. Even with this copper muting my magic, I’m still very strong and have no doubt I could kill at least one of these guards and force another to release the copper from my hands. But I must keep the end goal in mind.
I’m marched down long corridors and up winding stone stairs. The higher we climb, the air becomes clearer and brighter, until we reach a level with natural light. It’s morn. The full night passed while we were held in captivity.
As we continue, the surroundings become more and more opulent, until everything in my sight is formed from marble and covered in gold and fine gems.
Anger builds inside me.
As I flew across the Light, I saw evidence of great poverty amongst the common people.
Clearly, much wealth has been stolen from others and consolidated at this place of worship.
A shrine created for a god I am certain does not and never did exist. The religion’s entire premise is based on a series of lies, some of which I’ve yet to unearth.
I’m led into a room that’s the most luxurious space I’ve seen yet. More anger builds inside me at the hypocrisy of these people. Ahead, a group of klericks in fine robes kneel in front of a throne, looking up at the individual seated there with obvious reverence. The Prime Klerick, I presume.
Saxon claimed the Prime Klerick he saw was as tall as two men, and proportionately broad. This man is smaller than that. He’s clothed in fine silk and velvet, and his head dress is covered in gold and gems. A translucent red fabric masks his face.
“Stand,” the Prime Klerick says to the kneeling men.
I try to hide my shock. The voice is decidedly female, and the klericks immediately rise and step back from her throne. Given the misogyny that’s infected the Light, I never imagined their current leader could be female.
“Remove our guest’s bindings,” the Prime Klerick instructs, “and then leave us.”
“But your holiness—” One of the klericks objects, but the Prime Klerick raises a hand toward him, and the end of his sentence is strangled.
The klericks all continue to back away, coming so close I fear they’ll run into me.
Before leaving the room, one of them undoes my bindings, taking the copper chains with him.
I resist the urge to rub my abraded wrists as I consider what tactic to take.
After I told the guards that I was a superi king and demanded an audience with the Prime Klerick, the four of us discussed what I should say, in the unlikely case my demand was granted.
Surath feels certain I should lead with deference and flattery.
That I should pretend to be impressed by this Prime Klerick and what’s been accomplished in the Light.
I’m totally in the dark about this woman, but it’s clear she’s a mage. The Darkness surrounding her is palpable, so I decide to take Surath’s advice and remain silent until spoken to.
“I’m told you claim to be a king.” Her hands slide along the ornately carved arms of her throne. “The king of where, precisely?” Her voice drips with condescension.
“I am Zogar, King of the Dragons.” I leave out the second part of my title, which would make me her king, because it’s clear she’s a mage.
Her head twitches. “Dragon?” She shifts on the throne. “You are a very large man, but to claim you’re a dragon?” She laughs, and one of her fingers strokes the throne’s arm. “Perhaps I should take a better look.”
She lifts the veil off her face, and my breath hitches. I know this woman. This mage. How is it possible she’s still alive?
“You like what you see.” She smiles seductively, clearly misinterpreting my shocked expression.
“You possess great beauty,” I say, hoping to explain my reaction.
Also, it’s true. If anything, she’s more beautiful than I remember. Shiny dark curls dance around a face with bright green eyes and deep red lips. But I also see the ugliness lurking under her physical appearance.
I don’t recall her name, but this mage was part of a faction who opposed the Great Separation. I remember her, not only because of her beauty, but because she oft spoke for that group.
She blinks, then frowns. “We’ve met before. But the last time I saw you, you were in your more natural form.”
I swallow my urge to correct her about which of my forms is more natural.
“How did you take the form of a man?” Her voice tightens slightly.
“I crossed the veil.” I keep to the facts. “When I did, whatever spell kept me trapped on the ground as a dragon was broken.”
Her face twitches. She must somehow be responsible for my entrapment. But I don’t know how she did it, or how she’s stayed alive for so many years. If anything, she seems younger than she did four hundred years ago. Basic mages are not that long lived.
“Have all the dragons crossed the veil?” Her eyes flicker, revealing the possibility of fear.
“I am not the only one,” I reply. Truth without full disclosure.
Her expression shifts as she consumes this information. It also betrays her fear. We dragons can destroy whatever it is that she’s built here. She knows it, and she also knows I have the power to expose her.
Rising from her throne, she drops the thick robes from her shoulders, revealing a tight-fitting garment that exposes almost as much skin as some of the outfits I saw in the Darkness.
“Zogar, King of Dragons, I have a proposition for you.” She smiles seductively, as if she thinks I’ll be easily tempted.
“I’m listening.”
She sashays toward me, wielding her hips like a weapon. “Let us join forces.” Her hand slides onto my chest and then glides over my shoulder and across my back. “We shall rule together.”
When she completes her circle around me, her expression is full of desire. Not only lust for sex, but lust for power. “The mortals who chose to live in the Light are fools,” she says. “Easily controlled.”
I nod, trying to seem interested without commitment.
“And now that the kingdoms are united as one, the mortals are even easier to command. The remaining sovereign was so hungry for power that, to rid this land of its other kings, he gave up everything but the illusion of authority.”
With a cruel smile, she shakes her head. “King Lancet is an idiot. Easily seduced by power. Power, and the promise of my cunt.” Her hand slides onto my chest again.
I growl in a way I hope she interprets as desire.
“Would you like my cunt to be yours instead?” she asks as her hand slides over me. “I pledged to marry this human king today, but our union would be far more advantageous—to us both.”
I try my best to look and sound impressed, hoping she’ll trust me, hoping she’ll reveal more of her secrets so it will be easier to bring her down. “You’ve used your powers to great advantage.”
“Yes, I have.” Her hand slides over one of my arms, lightly squeezing my muscles. “And with you at my side, we can rule forever.”
“What magic have you used to live for so long?” What I really want to know is how she trapped us, but I suspect Surath was right about flattery. Playing along, acting impressed, acknowledging her youthful beauty is a good segue into my more important questions.
Her smile shifts to smugness. “I trapped the last manticores.” Her fingers trail off my chest and onto my neck.
I shake my head in amazement. Because this time I actually am amazed. Amazed at how casually she’s confessed to this crime.
“Manticores are extinct,” I say as if curious.
“That is what we wanted everyone to believe.”
“We?” I ask. “Have more of your followers survived since the Separation?”
She flips her fingers, as if batting a fly. “I am the only one who remains.”
“What happened to the others? Did they die of old age?”
“Some.” She shrugs as if it’s nothing. “I couldn’t waste manticore blood on those who weren’t worthy.”
I nod as if I agree.
“What say you?” Her hand slides across my belly. “Shall we rule together?” She licks her lips. “Shall we wed and quickly consummate our marriage? Trapped as a dragon, it must be some time since you’ve taken a woman.” Her fingers slide lower.
I grunt.
“Manticore blood has done more than enhance my magic, and prolong my life and beauty. Any man who comes near me begs for access to my cunt.” She laughs. “While fucking me, men absorb small traces of manticore blood through my essence.”
“Your offer is enticing.” I step back from her. “But first, I’m curious. What clever trick did you use to trap me and my people in the Light?” I smile, hoping my expression implies admiration and masks my deep seeded fury.
Her eyes narrow slightly. “Do you agree to be my king, or not?”
I nod. “Before we take our vows, I must understand the secrets of the world you’ve built here.” I haven’t said yes, but I’ve implied that I will.
A smug grin soils her beauty. “You have made a wise decision, Zogar. I’ll summon a klerick to perform the ceremony immediately. I’m sure you’re eager to consummate our union.”
She smiles lasciviously. “Then, at today’s audience with Othrix, I can formally introduce you to Our subjects as their King.”
“Why not let the people bear witness to our wedding?” I smile. “Would that spectacle not help to solidify your power?”
Her head tips to the side.
“You said you were meant to marry a human king today. Instead, you can publicly spurn him and show the people how you claimed the King of the Dragons.”
Her expression shifts. She’s considering this and likes the idea.
“How big is the temple’s altar?” I ask. “Big enough for me to shift forms? If the people understand that a dragon has declared his devotion to you, no one will ever question your power again.”
From all I’ve seen, no one questions her power now, but this mage understands that if anyone might bring her down, it’s me and my people. She needs me on her side.
“We shall wed in front of the people.” She beckons toward me. “Come. Let’s get you bathed and outfitted in clothing suitable for a king.”
I smile. “First, my future queen, you must tell me the clever plan you used to entrap me.”