The Crown's Fire - Chapter 300

Chapter 300: The Chastity Spell
Closing her eyes, Katelina reached out with her mana, allowing the vision to flow through her. The moment she connected with Levi, her breath hitched as the dark images unfolded before her.

In the vision, a masked man stood shrouded in shadows, emanating a sinister energy identical to Devon’s. Behind him loomed two massive, mighty dragons, one blazing red like fire and the other a piercing, electric blue. Their eyes burned with unnatural light, their wills entirely subjugated to the masked man’s command.

“They’re under his control,” Katelina whispered, her voice trembling with disbelief and fear. “The red and blue dragons…”

The vision shifted, showing the devastation the dragons unleashed, flames scorching entire fields, lightning ripping through fortresses and an army of dark forces marching under the masked man’s banner. The sheer destruction sent a shiver down her spine.

Her connection to the vision broke as Levi let out a strained gasp, his eyes returning to normal. He was pale, beads of sweat trickling down his temples. Katelina gently steadied him, though her own hands were shaking.

“Kate, what did you see?” Ezekiel asked, his tone urgent.

She turned to him, her face pale but resolute. “The masked man… He’s harnessed the red and blue dragons. He’s growing stronger, Ezekiel. We don’t have much time.”

Ezekiel’s jaw tightened, his gaze hardening. “Then we’ll prepare for him. Whatever it takes, we won’t let him succeed.”

Katelina nodded, though her heart was heavy with the weight of what they’d just witnessed. Floria had provided them with the masked man’s identity, claiming he was Greg, known publicly as Minister Greg Elrod but secretly her “Master Merlot” in disguise, colluding with Devon.

Still, they couldn’t act impulsively. What if this was all an elaborate trap? They needed proof before making a move, but the sinister energy she had felt during the vision, the unmistakable stench of Devon’s power, lent credibility to Floria’s claims.

Turning to Ezekiel, Katelina said, “You go ahead and discuss this with the others. Gather everyone we trust. This could be bigger than we realize. I’ll stay here a bit longer to talk things over with Luis and the officials. We need to ensure the safety of our people before anything else.”

Ezekiel hesitated, his gaze flicking between her and Levi, who still looked pale from the vision. “Are you sure? You shouldn’t overexert yourself, especially after everything you’ve been through.”

She placed a hand on his arm, her expression steady despite the storm brewing inside her. “I’m fine, Ezekiel. Our people need reassurance, and this involves them as much as it involves us. Go.”

Reluctantly, Ezekiel nodded. He pressed a quick kiss to her forehead before striding out, his determination evident in the tension of his shoulders.

Katelina turned back to Levi, gently rubbing his back as he steadied himself. Her mind was racing. The vision had shown her Devon’s return, his darkness enveloping the masked man and fueling a campaign of destruction. She had seen Zion itself in ruins… streets aflame, buildings crumbled, and people running in terror.

“We can’t let it happen,” she murmured, more to herself than anyone else. “Not Zion. Not our home.”

*****

Floria did her best to act as she should, feigning joy at her Master’s success in gaining control over the red and blue dragons.

“How did you manage to locate them?” she asked, masking her unease with curiosity. The last she remembered, her Master had struggled to find the dragons because they were under the care of Devon’s followers, like Marla. He had even lost contact with Marla.

Now, it all made sense. It was because he was Devon. Naturally, all of Devon’s followers would obey his call.

“You ask too many questions, Floria, and I don’t like it,” Devon hissed, his tone dripping with menace. “Focus on your task, bring me the Queen during the Mid-Autumn Festival!”

Floria fought to suppress her anger and fear. She knew that if Devon discovered she was aware of the truth, that he had taken control of Merlot’s body, he wouldn’t hesitate to kill her or worse, enslave her mind entirely. She wouldn’t allow that to happen.

“I apologize, Master,” she said carefully. “It’s just that you usually tell me everything, and I-”

Her words were cut off when Devon yanked her close. His dark energy was suffocating as his lips twisted into a cruel smile.

“You think I don’t know how you want me to take you?” he sneered before abruptly kissing her. “Let’s do it then. It’s been too long since I’ve been with a woman, and-”

“No! You can’t!” Floria interrupted, her voice trembling as she stepped back. “I must remain chaste, or the Queen won’t trust me! Remember, we’re under the chastity spell. They’ll know the moment I’ve been tainted by darkness,” she reminded him, her heart pounding in her chest.

Devon frowned, his grip loosening. “Right. We can’t risk that. But that doesn’t mean you can’t serve me in other ways, Floria. I’m sure your little mouth isn’t part of the spell-”

“No!” she interrupted again, summoning all her courage. “You said it yourself, Floria’s body is crucial to your plans and must remain untarnished. I serve in the royal household, in the Queen’s quarters specifically. They examine us regularly for any signs of corruption or impurity. If anything seems off, they’ll know.”

Devon’s eyes burned with fury, his aura flaring. “Enough, you insolent slut! If you won’t serve me, then find me another woman, one who will.”

“But that… it could compromise-”

She stopped speaking when she saw the deadly look in his eyes. Bowing her head quickly, she murmured, “I apologize, Master. I’ll leave now and find someone to serve you.”

Floria practically ran away from him, her heart pounding. Fear and disgust churned in her stomach, but she kept her expression neutral.

She had already relayed everything she knew to the King and Queen, but she could tell they still harbored doubts about her loyalties.

Her instructions, however, were clear: remain under Merlot’s, or rather, Devon’s, authority. Follow his orders exactly but report everything to the King and Queen first.

Floria clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging into her palms as she summoned the energy to create a portal. The swirling vortex shimmered before her, a stark contrast to the storm of emotions brewing inside. ‘I’ll endure this nightmare for as long as it takes. Devon, I’ll make sure you pay.’