Chapter 96 The Prince's Cage
Lyra: POV
I stepped into the banquet hall, immediately struck by the overwhelming display of Emberscale wealth.
Gold and crimson tapestries hung from vaulted ceilings, each emblazoned with the flame insignia of the royal house. Dragon statues lined the walls, their ruby eyes seeming to follow my every movement.
King Drakoth sat at the head of an obscenely long table, with Prince Valen to his right and—my stomach twisted—my uncle Cassius to his left. The three of them formed a triangle of power with me at its point, their gazes heavy with unspoken threats.
I kept my expression neutral, though my heart hammered against my ribs. Nova shifted slightly beneath my elaborate robes, her warm presence against my skin providing silent reassurance. I sensed Stella stirring in my mind, her voice calm but urgent.
Stay focused. Remember why we're here. Remember Aria.
Kael's intelligence had been clear—Aria was being held in the west wing, third level underground. Now I just needed the means to reach her. The diplomatic negotiations were just a cover story. I only needed this excuse to get my father's permission to travel here.
"Princess Lyra," King Drakoth's voice boomed across the hall. "Please, join us. We've prepared quite the feast in your honor."
I approached with measured steps, consciously checking that the village's gift—the shrinking mirror—remained secure in my sleeve. My fingers brushed against its cool surface, providing a moment of comfort.
"Your Majesty is too kind," I replied, sinking into the chair a servant pulled out for me. "I hope my unexpected visit hasn't caused too much inconvenience."
"Not at all," Valen replied before his father could speak. His golden eyes glinted dangerously in the firelight. "We rarely receive such... distinguished guests."
At his signal, a servant approached with a crystal decanter containing a deep red liquid that seemed to glow from within.
"Dragon's Fire Wine," Valen announced proudly. "From our private reserves. Only served to the most honored guests."
The servant poured the luminescent wine into my goblet, and I noticed how intently everyone watched.
The other servants exchanged furtive glances, their attention unusually focused on my drink.
My suspicions flared instantly.
They've drugged it, Stella warned.
I lifted the goblet to my lips, pretending to take a small sip. Using the water element control that had become second nature to me, I redirected the liquid into a hidden container sewn into the lining of my robes.
"Exquisite," I lied, setting the goblet down. I made a show of blinking slowly, as if the wine already affected me.
The meal proceeded with tense small talk about border patrols and trade agreements. I pretended to grow increasingly relaxed, allowing my posture to slump slightly and my words to become less precise. Valen and Cassius exchanged satisfied glances, thinking their plan was working.
Halfway through the third course, a guard approached King Drakoth and whispered urgently in his ear. The king's expression darkened.
"I apologize, Princess," he said, rising abruptly. "An urgent matter requires my attention. Please continue enjoying your meal with my son and Lord Cassius."
"More wine?" Valen offered the moment his father left, already refilling my goblet.
"Thank you," I murmured, forcing my eyelids to droop slightly. "It's quite... potent."
"Indeed," Cassius smiled coldly. "Few can handle more than a glass."
I saw my opportunity and seized it. "Let's play a game," I suggested with forced enthusiasm. "We have something similar in Starlight Territory. A drinking game to... to test our resilience."
Valen's eyebrows rose with interest. "What kind of game?"
"Simple," I slurred slightly. "Each person asks a question. If you refuse to answer, you drink."
Using subtle water manipulation, I ensured their goblets remained mysteriously full while mine appeared to empty.
As the game progressed, I watched Valen's sharp gaze grow increasingly unfocused, his normally rigid posture loosening.
Even the ever-vigilant Cassius showed signs of intoxication, his words beginning to slur.
My true objective was clear—I needed that golden key hanging from Valen's neck. According to Kael's intelligence, it was the only way to access the secure holding areas in the underground laboratory.
"Prince Valen," I asked, leaning forward conspiratorially, "that pendant around your neck—it's quite beautiful. What does it open?"
Valen's drunken eyes gleamed with pride. He pulled the golden key from beneath his collar, letting it dangle between us. "This? This is the master key to my private collection."
My heart leaped, but I forced myself to pout jealously. "A collection? You must show me sometime."
"Perhaps," he slurred, "if you're... special enough."
I changed tactics, turning to Cassius. "Uncle, I read something interesting in our family archives recently. About the Storm family."
His eyes sharpened instantly, cutting through his drunken haze. "What would a princess want with such ancient history?"
I widened my eyes innocently. "Just curious... The stories say my father ordered their extinction, but that doesn't sound like him..."
Cassius was silent for a long moment, then alcohol loosened his tongue. "Your father... too weak. Would never make such necessary decisions..."
"Necessary?" I echoed, playing naive.
"The Storm family's sealing power was the greatest threat," he muttered. "Had to be eliminated... to clear the path for the great arrival."
Valen's head now rested on the table, his breathing heavy and even. Cassius, though drunk, maintained a dangerous awareness, occasionally studying me with suspicion.
I glanced around the room, confirming what I'd noticed earlier—the guards had all stepped outside during the king's departure, leaving us momentarily unsupervised. It was now or never.
"I need to... adjust my dress," I announced, standing unsteadily. I moved behind Valen's chair, pretending to steady myself against it.
With practiced speed, I slipped the shrinking mirror from my sleeve and positioned it directly over Valen's head. Three quick taps to his forehead, and a flash of silver light enveloped him. In seconds, he had shrunk to just a few inches tall.
I scooped his tiny, unconscious form into my hand and quickly deposited him into my enchanted pouch. My heart raced as I turned to Cassius, who had risen to fetch more wine, his back to me.
I approached silently, mirror ready. Just as I tapped his head twice, he sensed something wrong and whirled around. Our eyes met for a terrifying second before the final tap sent silver light washing over him. He too shrank, but unlike Valen, consciousness flashed in his miniature eyes as I grabbed him.
Remembering the bag only had storage capabilities, I hastily tied the drawstring tight and reinforced it with a water element seal, feeling the miniature struggles inside. Cassius was already fighting the effect, his tiny curses barely audible.
Before shrinking Valen, I'd carefully removed the golden key from around his neck. Now it hung from my wrist, concealed beneath my flowing sleeve—the key to Aria's freedom.
I felt Kael's presence growing stronger through our soul bond, telling me he was nearby, waiting. I sent a quick thought his way: I succeeded. I have the key.
The pouch at my side moved violently. I pressed my hand against it, reinforcing the seal with another surge of water energy. I needed to reach Kael before Cassius broke free.
I slipped out of the banquet hall, navigating the corridors with increasing urgency. Each step brought me closer to our meeting point, closer to rescuing Aria.
Then, just as freedom seemed within reach, a squad of fully armed guards blocked my path. Their captain bowed respectfully but his eyes were watchful.
"Princess Lyra," he said. "Have you seen Prince Valen or Lord Cassius? The king is looking for them."
My blood froze as the pouch at my side gave another violent jerk, the faint sound of Cassius's enraged voice like the buzz of an angry insect. I forced my face to remain calm while my mind raced for an answer.