“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 rumbleswithin 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 isyourseer, 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 fingersagainst 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 isnotthe 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?”
