The Crown's Fire - Chapter 86

Chapter 86: Promise
The weather was bitterly cold, making it difficult to gauge the time. Noon could have already passed unnoticed amidst the biting chill. Typically, Ezekiel would have donned a thicker cloak to combat the cold. However, he surmised that it was the dragon’s power within him that allowed him to endure the chilling weather without feeling as affected.

Ezekiel lingered on the balcony with his sister Mineah, waiting for Tarah’s return. She had left early in the morning, so she should have been back by now. They were engrossed in a serious conversation when the familiar and intoxicating scent of Tarah wafted through the air, catching Ezekiel’s attention.

This time, Ezekiel felt relieved that she had no trace of the awful scent from last night, though it didn’t automatically put him in a good mood. The mere thought of that annoying scent lingering around her made him grumpy.

“Your Majesties,” Tarah’s familiar voice greeted them from behind, prompting both Ezekiel and his sister to turn and greet her.

“You’re finally back,” Ezekiel whispered with a frown.

“Welcome back, Tarah. Come. Let’s have you rested first. You’re probably tired from your journey,” Mineah answered with a smile.

Still smiling, Mineah led Tarah through the hallways to the courtyard, where they could sit and have a cup of tea while waiting. Behind them, Ezekiel followed, seemingly lost in thought as he remained silent.

“I heard you met a friend here at Cordon?” Mineah curiously asked, catching Ezekiel’s attention. He wondered if Tarah would divulge more about this friend to Mineah, or if he would have to inquire later from Cora.

“Yes, I did. I’m a wanderer, and I’ve traveled to every kingdom before finally settling down in Ebodia as its new fated Seer,” Tarah replied with a smile. “I also made a good friend in Cordon last summer. Since I’m here, I thought I should pay her a visit and spend my spare time with her.”

Ezekiel couldn’t help but admire Tarah as she spoke. She had a beautiful smile on her face, and she looked truly ethereal with her long silver-white hair. Simply staring at her graceful demeanor was enough to make his heart race.

‘What’s wrong with me!’ he inwardly scolded himself, swiftly turning his gaze towards his sister, Mineah, in an attempt to distract himself from the forbidden thoughts creeping into his mind.

“What’s the original color of your hair?” Mineah asked.

“It’s the same as yours, Your Majesty,” Tarah politely answered. “It was charcoal before all this happened.”

“Those silver-white locks look good on you,” Mineah remarked, and he couldn’t agree more.

‘And it simply completes Beirut’s description of the woman he warned me about,’ Ezekiel mentally noted. It was as if Ezekiel no longer cared whether Tarah was truly the woman destined to bring him doom.

“Thank you, Y-”

Tarah cut herself off as she suddenly stopped walking. Understandably, Mineah and Ezekiel did the same.

“What’s wrong?” Ezekiel quickly asked.

“Danger… in the parade,” Tarah whispered, her face losing its color as she spoke with a trembling voice. “Lady Jayra is in danger. Something ominous is within-”

Before Tarah could finish her words, her head tilted up and her eyes rolled up into her head. The seer had fallen, and thankfully, Ezekiel was quick to catch her body before it could fall on the floor.

Lady Jayra was one of the royal mages who grew up with them. She was very dear to his sister Xenia, and she was even considered a sister and member of their royal family.

“She’s having another vision,” Ezekiel explained as he carried Tarah in his arms. “It’s happening right now. She loses consciousness whenever it occurs, experiencing it simultaneously.” Tarah mentioned that during those kinds of visions, she would either vomit or lose consciousness.

“What do we do?” Mineah asked while she followed him.

“Call for Mother and Wizard Lurio,” Ezekiel instructed as he settled on the nearest bench in the hallway, ensuring Tarah was safely cradled in his arms. “Don’t worry. Tarah will wake up soon.”

Nodding, Mineah moved quickly to look for her mother and wizard Lurio.

“Tarah,” Ezekiel whispered as he gently caressed her soft cheeks. He quickly withdrew his hand when he sensed Mineah returning with his mother and Wizard Lurio. Tarah, on the other hand, slowly opened her eyes the moment they arrived.

“I’m too late,” Tarah weakly murmured. “Lady Jayra is already in danger…” She looked at his mother and said, “They’re on their way to the castle right now. You’ll meet them in the hallway nearest to the bedchamber downstairs. There’s a thread of dark energy into Lady Jayra, and her life is now in danger…”

With her words, Queen Dana, Wizard Lurio, and Mineah rushed through the hallway. Tarah shifted from Ezekiel’s arms to stand up.

“I’m fine now, Your Highness,” she weakly uttered, but Ezekiel didn’t release his hold on her, assisting her as she attempted to walk.

“I need to stay inside the chamber where they will bring her,” she weakly informed. Events seemed to unfold with purpose, intertwining the royal family of Ebodia more deeply with their common nemesis, Demon King Devon.

Tarah reminded herself to tread carefully, avoiding mentioning Devon’s name. She needed to keep her composure while providing the royal family of Ebodia with details on how to navigate this incident and save the woman who was important to them.

Her eyes then drifted to her hand that Ezekiel was still holding. “You’re suspicious of me…” she couldn’t help but voice out, still staring at their entwined fingers.

“Should I be?” Ezekiel asked straightforwardly. Tarah turned to face him, a conflicted smile playing on her lips as her gaze remained fixed on him.

“I can’t answer you right now, but I do hope that you’ll still trust me no matter what, Your Highness. If there’s one thing I can promise you, it’s that I will ensure you become the most powerful ruler to reign in your lifetime, where all your enemies will cower and bend on their knees before you.” Tarah firmly declared.