The Crown's Fire - Chapter 233

Chapter 233: Underestimated*
At Devon’s followers’ hiding place…

“Will it truly work, that poison? Will it awaken our Lord Devon’s blood thread inside Amon?” Soka inquired, kissing Marla’s neck from behind. Marla smirked at how successful things were going.

She had manipulated the King of Nur, Moler, who harbored a deep grudge against Devon. Marla instructed one of her sorceresses to meet with Moler’s convoy on their way to the summit, fueling the man’s grudge and redirecting it towards Amon. She emphasized that Amon still shared Devon’s blood and it would only be a matter of time before Amon would become like Devon because he came from the same lineage.

The protective enchantments the Sorel Guild placed around Haven Forest were too strong for any of Devon’s followers to penetrate. So, Marla used Moler, ensuring those poisoned arrows would be able to get inside the forest and be used against Amon.

“They will think Amon was merely hit by a poisoned arrow, unaware that it’s not just any poison. It’s designed to activate Devon’s blood thread inside Amon,” Marla explained.

“It will take effect soon, Soka. Our King will soon take control of Amon’s body. There are just a few more rituals needed, so we must ensure Amon is brought here. We’ll have to wait for Bulun to do that,” Marla commented.

“But what if Bulun fails like you always worry about…” Soka said.

Marla turned to face him, caressing Soka’s cheek. “It’s fine. I already have everything planned out. All you need to do is focus on the Queen Regent of Zion. I need her before the resurrection of our Lord Devon.”

“I will take her, don’t worry,” Soka commented with a smile. Then he suddenly asked, “By the way, won’t we need the boy anymore, why should I let him go? I thought you needed him as a backup. I’m honestly worried that you’ll be disappointed if Lord Devon’s revival happens in a boy’s body.”

Marla smirked, playfully circling her fingers on Soka’s chest. “Release the boy now. I’ve already gotten what I needed from him. Come back quickly; I have something special prepared for you,” she murmured with a wink.

Soka soon left, and Marla looked at the blood thread she stored in a magical bottle that she had extracted from the boy. “Katelina, you slut… Who would have thought I would learn so much from this personal journal of yours?” she triumphantly grinned. She had managed to piece together some of Katelina’s confusing visions, which were written in the journal.

She now had the perfect vessel for Devon’s last blood thread if his revival in his half-brother Amon wouldn’t succeed. She was simply following Katelina’s visions, using them to pave the way for Devon’s return.

“Everything is falling into place,” Marla whispered to herself, holding the bottle up to the light. The dark, swirling liquid inside seemed to pulse with a life of its own. “Soon, our Lord will rise again, and all will be as it should.”

She turned and moved to the window, looking out over the dark landscape. Her eyes gleamed with anticipation. “Enjoy your last days, Queen Regent of Zion. Your success is about to come to a bloody end.”

“Mistress,” one of her servants called from outside her tent.

“Yes?” Marla responded, her curiosity piqued.

“Lord Merlot is here to see you,” the servant informed.

A smile widened on Marla’s lips. “Let him enter,” she instructed, her voice carrying a hint of excitement.

*****

At the Kingdom of Ebodia

Tessa paced back and forth in the secret chamber where she awaited her master’s return. She was growing increasingly nervous and restless. “What’s taking him so long!” she grunted, nibbling on her fingers. It was an anxious habit of hers.

The situation had intensified with Commander Elijah’s arrival to oversee the rumor they had spread against the Queen Regent of Zion. Things had taken a dire turn; many had been arrested and awaited punishment in the dungeon directly from the king in his return.

The plan had been for Minister Greta to take the brunt, but it seemed that wasn’t happening. Tessa couldn’t fathom where it had gone wrong, especially since Minister Greta was still at large, actively collaborating with Commander Elijah.

She worried that complications would arise and put her in danger. Tessa was certain Minister Greta and Commander Elijah would soon seek her out, and she needed to discuss this with her master.

As the door creaked open, Tessa immediately greeted him with a bow, “Master.”

He removed his mask and hooded cloak, sitting heavily in his chair with a sigh. Frowning, she asked, “What’s wrong? You look pale…”

“It’s likely just the journey, Tessa. What’s the matter?” he inquired.

Tessa explained the situation and his Master nodded. “I see. Have a detailed sketch of the man who gave you those vellums and give it to Minister Greta.”

“But Master… Aren’t he and the others your allies?” Tessa exclaimed.

Her master smirked, “No, they are merely my pawns, Tessa. And now it’s time for them to serve their purpose.”

“But won’t it be dangerous? Won’t they betray you?” Tessa asked curiously.

“Who would they betray? They don’t know who I am, Tessa.”

Indeed, her master was cunning and meticulous. “Come here,” he beckoned, and Tessa promptly sat on his lap. It had been too long since he had asked her for this, and she had missed him terribly.

Without hesitation, she unbuttoned his shirt and removed it. As she ran her hands over his chest, she noticed something dark moving beneath his skin. “Master!” she exclaimed in horror, but he frowned at her.

“What?!”

Tessa stared at his chest, but the dark thing, like a writhing worm, had vanished. “I… I thought I saw something,” she stammered. Her words were cut short when he abruptly tore her dress.

“Stop talking and make me feel good. I’m exhausted from this damn journey!”

Nodding nervously, Tessa began kissing his neck, trying to push the strange sight out of her mind. Surely, if there was anything to worry about, her master would know. After all, he was a powerful man, well-versed in magic.

He grabbed her with a guttural groan and pushed her to lean on the table, her back against his chest. He was going to take her from behind. Tessa felt his hard shaft suddenly penetrate her, and though it was painful at first since she was dry, it soon felt good, the thought of having him inside her again making the discomfort fade.

He was the man she loved, the man who had saved and cared for her. If not for him, she would have been lost long ago, so she devoted her life to him and his goals.

He grabbed her long hair and pulled it, taking her hard and wild, much rougher than he ever had before.

Tessa started feeling discomfort with each hard and deep thrust. He was so rough she felt like she would lose air, his grip on her neck nearly choking her.

“Master,” Tessa cried.

“Master!!!” As if finally hearing her, he immediately loosened his grip on her neck. With one final thrust, he released his juices inside her and then pulled out. Tessa heard a loud thud on the floor and quickly turned around, her eyes widening.

“Master!”

His face was darkening, and his body convulsed on the floor. Tessa rushed to his side, her heart pounding with fear.

“Master! What’s happening?” she cried, trying to lift him up, but he was too heavy. His eyes were half-open, and she could see a strange, dark substance seeping from the corners of his mouth.

He gasped for breath, his hand weakly reaching out to her. “Tessa… the vial… my chest…” he managed to choke out.

She looked down at his chest, the memory of the dark, worm-like movement flashing through her mind. With trembling hands, she searched for the vial he mentioned, finally finding a small, glass container hidden inside his cloak.

“What do I do with it, Master?” she asked desperately.

“Break… break it… on my chest…” he rasped.

Without hesitation, she shattered the vial on his chest, the liquid inside splattering over his skin. Immediately, the dark substance on his face and chest began to retreat, absorbed by the liquid from the vial. His convulsions slowed, and his breathing became more regular.

After a few tense moments, he opened his eyes fully and took a deep, steady breath.

“What happened, Master? What was that?” she asked, her voice trembling. She couldn’t bear the thought of losing him.

Her master gritted his teeth and suddenly burst into ominous laughter. “Oh… That whore! She put the damn bloodthread inside my body!”

“Bloodthread?” Tessa gasped. “Devon’s bloodthread?!”

She was aware of it since her master had been trying hard to find where Devon had inserted his remaining bloodthreads.

“Yes,” he hissed, his eyes blazing with fury. “It seems she’s more resourceful than I gave her credit for. But she underestimated me.”

“Master, what should we do?” Tessa asked, her heart pounding with fear and uncertainty.

“This bloodthread is a powerful tool as long that I can control it. But first, we need to neutralize its immediate effects. Prepare the purification ritual. We don’t have much time.”