Chapter 5- A dangerous interest.

Seth’s POV

“THE SILVER DRAGON SHALL BE AWAKENED AND THE HOPE OF MANKIND SHALL BE DESTROYED.”

I couldn’t stop thinking about what Cassian said as I walked around the palace. Compared to the monster he was, his palace was quite warm.

I couldn’t care less if anyone in Velmora found out about me, I could just take them out but not in Kaelor. I shouldn’t act rashly here.

Damn the heavens and their bullshit about mankind. Destroyed? With what power? A sealed power?

“I guess you’ve heard about the prophecy.” Queen mother Seraphine broke the silence.

“I hope you regret showing yourself to the public now? You should have just stayed hidden.” She said,stroking my hair.

Seraphine might sound harsh but I knew she always had the best for me in heart. She was the mother I never had.

“I’m not bothered about some stupid prophecy.”

“Well you should be,” she said flatly. “That man is now in charge. He will look for answers.”

“He’s not in charge.”

As much as I tried to deny it, I knew he was.

“Reckless! You are too reckless!” She gritted her teeth.

I looked around to see if anyone was close to hear but the coast was clear.

“Poison?” Seraphine whispered shakily. “You intend to kill that man with poison?”

“I will get him next time.”

“What if there’s no next time? If it was that easy to kill him then perhaps Tarn and Veyra would still be here.”

I exhaled sharply. She was right.

He wouldn’t be so easy to get rid of.

“Well good thing I’m not them. I will kill him.” I replied

I had no idea how but it was going to happen.

“Good. Because that man is your only way to freedom.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

The look in her eyes wasn’t good.

“I received another prophecy.”

What was with these prophecies going around?

“The only way to end this is to kill the silver dragon.”

“Kill me?” I huffed.

“You need the heart of a normal dragon to be normal.”

“Why did you and Father keep me alive?” The question slipped from my lips, interrupting her.

She blinked. “I wanted to kill you. It was your father, he said he saw the power you held and he knew it would bring down the heavens one day.”

“But that wasn’t why I changed my mind,” she continued. “Y—you looked normal. I just wanted you to live.”

Live? How can a life of hiding in the shadows while your brother takes what is rightfully yours normal? I wanted to scream that out loud.

“So I need his heart to live a normal life.”

She nodded.

I hated the idea of Vaelor being the key to living a normal life.

But the idea of watching him suffer while I take out his heart comforted me a bit.

“And one thing,” she said as I turned to leave. “Do not fall for him.”

Then—

I stopped.

I tried to speak. How could she think I’d fall for a man? A man like Vaelor at that?

“I won’t.” I finally found my voice.

I walked out of there to go meet Elias. Since the poison incident, I haven’t spoken to him and it would only look suspicious if his so-called aide isn’t anywhere close to him.

Kaelor soldiers stood at every corner.

Waiting.

Watching.

Listening.

It annoyed me. I hated the feeling of being trapped by that man.

I hated the power it gave him.

“I am not going to any party! That man wants to disgrace me further!” I heard Elias scream as I opened the door to his chambers.

“Consummate this union?! Union my foot!” He shouted.

“What’s going on?” I asked Cassian who seemed to be enjoying the situation.

“Your highness. The tyrant had just asked your brother to attend a party tonight.”

“Anddddd.”

“And they’re to consummate their marriage after the party.”

I nearly let out a laugh.

“Seth, Seth help me. I can’t possibly let that man touch me.” Elias rushes to me. “Do something.”

“Calm down. Stop squirming.”

“I can’t. Have you seen the way men leave his room every night after his stupid parties.”

“So you aren’t scared of what both of you are supposed to do but how wrecked you’d be afterwards?” I teased.

Laughter breaks out from Cassian and Elias' personal guard, Lister. Elias turned to them, fury twisting his face. “I’m sorry. Perhaps you could show us what’s so funny.”

“Come on now. Nothing would happen to you.”

“You don’t know that.” He snapped.

“Because we’ll be right next to you.”

The party was unbearable. The sight of Elders kissing up to Vaelor made it worse.

I stood behind Elias, watching as he gulped down every drink Vaelor sent his way.

Idiot.

I looked across the hall, Vaelor sat lazily on the throne like a chair placed at the head of the room.

He looked bored. Like he was waiting for something. Those golden eyes drifted across the crowd.

Then landed on me.

Again.

I looked away first.

“I need fresh air. Don’t bother following me.” I mouthed to Cassian.

He nodded.

The garden had become one of my favorite places to be in the palace, so it was the only place I could think of going to.

But—

I stopped walking, and took a deep breath. Someone was following me. I could feel it.

Vaelor? No. I’ve heard too many encounters with him not to recognize his footsteps.

For a moment, I just stood there, waiting to stab this stalker the second he made a move. My fingers tightened around the dagger hidden beneath my sleeve.

A faint tremor ran through them.

Annoying. I clenched my jaw and curled my hand into a fist until the shaking stopped.

The footsteps drew closer.

Once.

Twice.

Slow. Unhurried.My shoulder stiffened. That familiar uneasiness. Something about those footsteps crawled beneath my skin.

I knew who it was immediately without turning.

Elder Valen.