The Crown's Fire - Chapter 85

Chapter 85: Forbidden Fruit
Ezekiel awoke with a cloud of uncertainty hovering over him. Doubts about Tarah’s explanation from the previous night lingered in his mind like stubborn shadows. While she had accurately identified the dark magic scent on the deceased, there remained an inexplicable, potent aroma enveloping her that felt markedly different.

The mere thought of that scent clinging to her incited a surge of anger within him, boiling his blood and fueling his determination to uncover its origin.

“I can’t believe they failed to discern the identity of this mysterious friend she mentioned!” Ezekiel growled in frustration.

“I can accompany her now, Your Highness,” Cora volunteered. “I’m certain she won’t mind. With my skills, I’m confident I can gain insight into this friend and learn more about her.”

Ezekiel remained silent, reluctant to convey any hint of distrust toward Tarah.

After some time, Ezekiel released a frustrated sigh before instructing, “Go ahead and see if she’s open to your company. Make sure you gather as much information as possible about her friend.”

Ezekiel dismissed Cora instantly. Then he walked to the balcony, arms crossed and a frown on his face. From below, he could see Tarah walking and Cora hurrying after her.

“You seem uneasy. We’re heading back to Ebodia after the coronation, so it’s natural for Tarah to spend time with her friend,” Elijah remarked casually. “Look, she even brought Cora with her!”

Ezekiel felt a wave of relief seeing Tarah allowing Cora to accompany her as they both entered the carriage.

Unaware of Ezekiel’s ongoing concern about the unpleasant scent he had detected around Tarah, Elijah continued discussing other matters with him. Ezekiel had no intention of sharing this matter with his friend.

“Any news about that mark?” Ezekiel inquired, having assigned Elijah to investigate it.

“The men are still searching. So far, no one recognizes such a mark,” Elijah replied. Unbeknownst to him, it was the mark on Tarah’s back. Only Cora, Wizard Lurio, and

Ezekiel’s parents were aware of it.

‘It’s definitely not a wound scar,’ Ezekiel mused, recalling Tarah’s cryptic response. She hadn’t described it as such; instead, she had hinted that it was something she couldn’t disclose. It suggested she was hiding something, yet honest enough to provide a clue. It was as if she was challenging him to uncover its meaning.

Elijah clicked his tongue and snorted, “Why the gloomy face and grumpy mood so early in the morning? Shouldn’t you be in high spirits and happy about Princess Xenia’s victory and the news of Helion’s forces retreating? Your coronation as the new king is coming up, after all.”

“I am happy, Elijah, but…” Ezekiel let out a heavy sigh.

“Is it because of the dragon’s soul?” Elijah asked. Ezekiel shook his head, trying to push thoughts of that disturbing scent around Tarah. He had more important matters to focus on, like the dragon soul inside him.

“I need to retrieve the magical books from Helion Castle, the Ancient Books of the dragons, and the Chronicles of Fallen Angels. I will enter Devon’s lair to get it and kill that demon,” Ezekiel suddenly informed to change the topic to what he deemed more important.

“What?! But the war is over now, Your Highness. We won,” Elijah pointed out.

“You’re mistaken. This war isn’t over until Devon is gone. Do you really think he retreated for good? Something’s off, and I strongly believe Devon is planning something bigger this time,” Ezekiel grunted. “That demon will not stop until he conquers the world under his palm. I don’t want many more innocent lives to be shed because of his greed.”

There was no stopping him because he was too determined to accomplish this task.

He wouldn’t forget those tears and cries he witnessed from Devon’s front soldiers when he attacked in his dragon form.

They are fighting against his own Ebodian soldiers but they were pleading for mercy at the same time, begging for their lives to be saved. During most of his attacks as a dragon, he used the hallucinogenic gas to put them all to sleep but Ezekiel knew that it wouldn’t end there because one way or another, Devon would still use them against their will. And the only way for them to be freed from their slavery was to kill their Master… Devon.

“When do you plan to do this? Are your parents aware of it?” Elijah questioned.

Ezekiel shook his head. “They knew of my intention to kill Devon, and I will discuss this matter carefully with my family.” They talked about a few more important things before Ezekiel headed outside to join his family for breakfast.

Taking his seat casually, Ezekiel anticipated his family’s question about Tarah’s whereabouts. “She’s having breakfast with a friend,” he replied simply before shifting the conversation to his plan to confront Devon.

“Son, that’s incredibly dangerous. Devon is the most powerful demon alive on Earth right now,” his father pointed out.

“I’m confident I can defeat him, Father. With the dragon’s power within me, I feel it growing stronger every day,” Ezekiel reasoned. “The merging of the dragon spirit with mine means I’ll have full control over its power.”

“I also need to retrieve those magical books to ensure the successful extraction of Vulcan’s soul from my body. The book about the Ancient Dragon will be especially helpful,” he continued, breaking the terse silence.

His father sighed deeply in resignation before turning his attention to Ezekiel’s sister, Mineah. “Are you going to the procession?” King Stephan asked her.

“I won’t,” she replied. “I’ll stay here with Mother and Wizard Lurio for now.” Then, she looked at Ezekiel and inquired, “Seer Tarah will be arriving soon, right? I want to talk to her.”

“Yes,” Ezekiel nodded. “We’re just waiting for her before we leave as soon as she arrives.”

After having breakfast the family headed inside the throne room to bear witness to his sister’s formal coronation. Ezekiel smiled as he watched Xenia in her golden regalia and frills walk to the throne like a queen. She confidently strode forth, servants tailing behind her to hold onto her coattails as she went up to the throne room.

The entire room fell silent. In front of her stood King Darius, equally dressed in all of the regalia befitting his stature as king as he waited for Xenia to walk forward.

“Attention all citizens of Cordon! The Queen has arrived!”

The ceremony began and ended with the insides of the throne room filled with joyous cheers.

“All hail Queen Xenia!”

“Long may she reign!”

The procession soon followed, and Ezekiel with Mineah watched from the second-floor open balcony of the castle as his sister Xenia rode on an open chariot with King Darius.

“The Warrior Queen!”

The cheers continued even outside. It would seem that Cordon really loved his sister.

“Do you think you’ll also grow wings like her?” Ezekiel humorously hummed beside Mineah using that special language of theirs.

Mineah chuckled. “Well, I would love to.”

Ezekiel smiled staring at Xenia. He could see and feel how happy their sister Xenia was right now with her husband, Darius.

“I’m delighted that everything turned out so well for her,” Mineah whispered and Ezekiel couldn’t agree more. However, he wondered how his fate would turn out. Would it also end well for him?

His mind involuntarily wandered to Tarah’s captivating visage. Throughout his lifetime, Ezekiel had never been captivated by any woman except her. Yet, she was a forbidden fruit, and he would challenge the constraints of destiny if he dared to love her and make her his own.