Chapter 163 The Last Refuge

Chapter 163 The Last Refuge
Serafina

"Tell your snake friend to keep watch while we head to the Veiled Sanctum," I said.

Blink lifted her head and gave a quiet huff toward the towering serpent coiled high in the branches. Vipera answered with a series of slow hisses.

Blink's ears twitched. She wants to know if she may eat anyone who enters the forest.

Despite everything, I smiled. "I know they're a little scrawny for her taste, but if they're Arcanis soldiers..." I glanced toward the trees. "...she can eat her fill."

Above us, Vipera gave an eager hiss that sounded almost delighted.

I stepped beneath the shelter of the ancient oaks and reached inward, calling upon my magic.

"I need clothes."

The ember stirred. Violet threads of light spiraled around my body like smoke.

Instead of the simple tunic and trousers I'd imagined, black silk flowed over my skin, weaving itself into a long-sleeved gown that reached my boots. Crimson armor followed, growing piece by piece across my shoulders, arms, and torso until polished scales rested over the fabric like overlapping dragon hide. A broad crimson belt cinched itself around my waist. A deep green cloak settled across my shoulders, its hem rippling gently in the wind. Leather boots formed around my feet. Finally, my old satchel appeared against my hip as though it had never left me.

The armor shimmered beneath the pale light filtering through the overcast sky.

I frowned. "This isn't what I pictured."

Blink simply stared. I've seen your gown before.

I looked at her. "Where?"

Ember. Althea wore it. Blink slowly rose to her feet. That's her war dress.

My eyes drifted over the crimson armor. "I was trying to conjure trousers and a clean blouse."

Blink padded closer, sniffing one of the crimson pauldrons. These aren't ordinary scales. Awe crept into her voice. They're made from Ignara herself.

I blinked. "The dragon queen?"

Blink nodded. Her scales cannot be pierced by sword or spear. She paused. Except by Elias's blade.

I looked down at the armor once more. "I suppose the gods are trying to tell me something."

A cold breeze swept through the trees, tugging at my cloak.

War.

Before I could reach my ember for a vision, Blink let out an exaggerated whine.

Do you have any food? she asked pitifully. Saving your life was exhausting.

I laughed. "You've earned more than food." I opened my satchel. "You're a hero."

A steaming platter of roasted chicken appeared in my hands. Blink's tail thumped wildly.

I set the platter on the forest floor. "This is yours."

She buried her muzzle into it immediately.

"And for me..." I reached into the satchel once more. A thick roast-beef sandwich appeared, followed by a chilled glass of milk.

Simple.

As Blink devoured the chicken with alarming speed, I leaned against the trunk of an oak. "Do you know where the others are?"

She barely looked up. The Veiled Sanctum.

"Lio let them inside? Is he allowed to do that?"

She nodded while chewing. Azerath sent a message allowing them to use it as refuge.

Relief washed over me. At least they were alive.

When the last bone disappeared beneath Blink's jaws, I stepped into a small clearing and raised both hands.

I pictured the Veiled Sanctum exactly as I'd last seen it.

The towering white mountain. The colossal stone gates. The glowing runes.

My ember answered.

A circle of violet fire unfolded before us, widening into a doorway. Beyond it stood the entrance to the mountain.

"Ready?"

Blink swallowed the last bite of chicken. As I'll ever be.

Together, we stepped through.

Chaos greeted us.

The quiet clearing before the Veiled Sanctum had transformed into a fortress.

Women rushed between the trees carrying blankets and frightened children. Others beat their fists against the mountain's colossal gates, begging for sanctuary.

Boys no older than twelve struggled beneath bundles of arrows. Men hammered spearheads into place while others honed blades until sparks leapt into the gloomy air.

Every face wore the same expression.

They knew that war had found them.

A broad-bellied man spotted me. His eyes widened before he fumbled for his sword.

"Intruder!"

His cry cut through the camp.

Every head turned. Conversations died instantly. Dozens of weapons swung toward me.

Then another voice broke through the silence.

"Aldo! Put down your weapons."

A familiar middle-aged woman pushed through the gathering crowd.

Ysoria.

Her face was pale with exhaustion, her eyes swollen from weeping.

She stopped dead. Her lips trembled.

"Oh... gods..." Tears welled instantly. "My goddaughter is alive!"

She rushed toward me and, before I could speak, pulled me into a fierce embrace.

"Lio!" she called, her voice breaking with emotion. "Your sister! She's alive!" Then she pulled me into another fierce embrace. "You scared me."

I held her just as tightly. "I'm sorry, Aunt Issy."

Behind her came hurried footsteps. Lio emerged from the mountain entrance.

He froze. "Serafina?" Disbelief spread across his face. "I felt your ember die."

His eyes moved past me—to Blink. He stared at the wolf's amber eyes. Understanding slowly dawned.

"You gave it up."

Blink wagged her tail once. I saved her.

Lio knelt without hesitation and kissed the top of her head. "Thank you," he whispered.

Blink looked absurdly pleased with herself.

I finally pulled away from Ysoria. "So what's happening?"

A tall woman with pointed ears stepped forward, an arrow already nocked. "Vaelric's army marches for the forest. They mean to wipe us out."

Genocide.

My hand instinctively rested upon the crimson armor covering my chest. No wonder the ember had dressed me for battle.

But another thought struck me. "Who warned you?" My gaze swept across the camp.

Then I saw her.

Elyndra.

She stood calmly beside Mira and Helga, dressed in flowing black, as though the panic surrounding her couldn't reach her. In one hand she held something, glancing at it as if calmly checking the time while everyone else prepared for war.

Our eyes met. A faint smile touched her lips.

I looked around at the gathered refugees. "And you believed her?" Silence answered me. I looked back at Elyndra. "She's the Dark Emperor's sister."

Like a gust of wind through dry leaves, whispers spread across the camp. Heads turned toward Elyndra. Faces hardened.

Aldo's grip tightened around his sword. He stared at her. "Is it true?"

Elyndra met his gaze without flinching. "Yes."

Aldo smiled. It wasn't a kind smile. "Excellent." He raised his sword. "Seize her."

The words had barely left his mouth when steel rang from a dozen scabbards. Soldiers and refugees surged toward Elyndra from every direction.

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Elyndra

Several swords were pointed at my chest, but I found the situation oddly amusing.

Andreas led us through the Cursed Forest toward the Veiled Sanctum. I had always wanted to see where Azerath slept.

The mountain was magnificent.

White stone rose from the earth like the spine of a sleeping giant, its colossal gates carved with dragons and ancient runes that shimmered beneath the gloomy sky.

At last.

I smiled to myself and climbed the first step.

Thunk.

I walked directly into an invisible wall. "What—"

I reached out. My hand stopped inches from the entrance, pressing against something I couldn't see.

"Interesting."

Florian stepped beside me. "My lady?"

"Try entering, Florian."

He did and couldn't.

Kier frowned and attempted it himself. The barrier rejected him just as easily.

I placed a thoughtful finger against my chin. "It senses dark magic," I murmured.

How wonderfully inconvenient.

Andreas glanced back. "Many have been turned away," he explained. "Including me."

He gestured toward the refugees camped outside the mountain.

"Make yourselves comfortable while I find someone who can enter the Sanctum."

Without another word, he hurried toward a small hut.

"So close," I sighed. "I've waited centuries to see the inside."

Since there was little else to do, I studied the refugees instead.

Although the body I currently wore was young...

...it possessed no magic.

I needed another.

My gaze drifted lazily across the camp until I spotted a beautiful young woman speaking with Helga.

There.

Golden-orange light shimmered around her head.

A mage. Beautiful, too.

Perfect.

"Florian."

"Yes, my lady?"

"Find the Arboran. He'll hear the trees the moment my brother's army enters the forest."

He bowed. "At once."

I turned to Kier. "And you..."

"Yes?"

"Find something useful to do like find the Celestial's body. I'd like to know whether she's truly dead."

"As you wish."

The two men departed in opposite directions. Divide and conquer.

I wandered toward Helga. She noticed me immediately.

"Elyndra?" Her eyes widened. "How in the seven hells did you get here?"

"My brother announced his intentions to half the Empire." I smiled. "It wasn't difficult." My attention shifted to the dark-haired woman beside her. "And who is this?"

"This is Mira." Helga grinned wickedly. "Mira... this is Elyndra." She paused. "One of Ryven's former lovers."

I sighed. "I like you better sober."

Helga laughed.

"Where is Ryven?" I asked.

She pointed toward the mountain. "Inside. Apparently the Sanctum likes him." She rolled her eyes. "Completely unfair." She took a swig from her flask. "His heart's blacker than mine." She gestured toward a woman sitting nearby with swollen, tear-filled eyes. "You remember Rowenna?"

"In passing."

"Ryven dumped her."

"Poor girl." I looked back toward Mira. "Perhaps"... I smiled. "... You're more his type."

Mira nearly choked. "Oh..." She laughed nervously. "No. He's more like a brother."

Helga barked out another laugh. "Is it because you're sleeping with his father?"

Mira's cheeks flushed crimson. "Helga!"

My eyes narrowed thoughtfully as I studied her. Expensive gown. Elegant posture. Porcelain skin.

Yes. Magnus certainly had a type.

Before anyone could say another word, a horn echoed across the forest. The camp exploded into motion.

"Prepare for war!"

Men snatched up bows and swords.

Women hurried children toward the mountain, banging on the gates to let them in.

Chaos. Exactly what I had expected.

I remained perfectly still. If Helga would simply wander away, I could borrow Mira's body.

Instead, she raised her flask. "For Bram!" She drank deeply.

I arched an eyebrow. "What happened to your oversized friend?"

Helga wiped her mouth with her sleeve. "Dead. Vaelric's soldiers. We had to leave him beside Serafina. We couldn't risk them finding us."

So, the Celestial truly had died. A smile tugged on my lips.

Helga nudged me with her elbow. "Good news for you, though."

I blinked.

"You can have Azerath now." She shrugged. "Assuming he doesn't burn the kingdom to ash first."

I scoffed. "You're a dreadful drunk."

She grinned. "You're a dreadful person."

I inclined my head. Fair enough.

Then another voice shattered the commotion.

"Intruder!"

Helga groaned. "Aldo's probably drunk already."

I slipped a hand into my pocket, fingertips brushing the smooth glass case hidden inside.

Then another shout echoed across the courtyard.

"Lio! Your sister! She's alive!"

I froze, my head turning instinctively toward the commotion.

A figure with striking red hair emerged from the entrance of the Veiled Sanctum and hurried toward a red-haired woman standing among the refugees.

Sister? Serafina was alive?

The sharp gasps from Helga and Mira told me everything I needed to know.

Quietly, I slipped a hand into my pocket and withdrew the glass case. I glanced at it for a brief moment before tucking it away again.

A smile curved my lips.

Serafina lived.

Excellent.

I would deliver her to my brother and name my price.

An heir... Or the throne.

Either way, I would win.

And when I did, Azerath would become my royal consort.

The crowd slowly parted and her eyes found mine.

"And you believe her?" she called to the gathered refugees. "She's the Dark Emperor's sister."

Every face turned toward me, including the young man standing beside Serafina.

Two pairs of familiar green eyes met mine—Serafina's... and Lio's. I blinked in disbelief.

Lio? He was supposed to be a little boy. Then it struck me. The violet light hadn't merely restored him; it had aged him into a young man.

My brother had no idea. Neither did I. Only Kier knew. He had tried to warn me, but I hadn't listened.

Aldo, the rebel leader, stepped forward, sword already drawn. His eyes narrowed. "Is it true?"

I inclined my head. "Yes."

His smile was immediate. "Seize her!"

Steel flashed. Rebels rushed toward me from every direction.

I merely smiled. My eyes never left Serafina.

"You need me," I said softly. "And very soon, you're going to realize it."

Florian hurried out of the crowd. "My lady," he said, "the army is on the march. By my calculations, they'll reach us by dusk."

I glanced at Serafina, unable to suppress a satisfied smile. "Well?" I asked. "Do you still intend to have me tied up?"