Omega's Rebirth-Chapter 469: The Dunes 2 ()

"Fret not, you will have all the time to explore every inch of the white dunes. I’ll take you... every day if you wish it." Kaideon thought to a laughing Neveah.

"You let me drop a moment ago! I think I’ll be fine on my own from now." Neveah decided, still chuckling as she thought back to how she had slipped off Kaideon’s back.

"Into sand, child. You should be fine." Kaideon thought back in amusement.

Neveah leaned her head back, shaking off the sand still stuck in her hair.

The sun had just descended beneath the horizon when they finally arrived at the Dune Castle, or at least Kaideon and Neveah. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

Kaideon had instructed for Rodvan and Coran to go ahead and for the past few hours, he had indulged Neveah’s curiosity of the White Dunes till they both knew it was time to call it a day.

After an entire day of flight, Neveah was already completely exhausted and in desperate need of a hot bath and a meal that was not dried or gotten from an unfamiliar inn.

The dune castle was a mighty structure in it’s own right, it was nothing like Dragon Keep, of course but it could easily rival the Eclipse Palace of the Eclipse Domain.

The landing platform came into view soon and Neveah raised a brow to find there were about a dozen dragon lords awaiting them, Rodvan and Coran included.

"Uhmm...tell me you did not have them receive us in some form of formal manner." Neveah thought to Kaideon.

"I did not." Kaideon thought back as he made his landing.

When Kaideon had landed, Rodvan walked over and helped Neveah down from Kaideon’s back and though Neveah could easily do it herself, she still accepted his offered hand and flashed a grateful smile.

"Dune Lord!" The dragon lords greeted in unison, lowering their heads to a bow of respect as Kaideon shifted back to his human form.

"Lady Neveah." The dragon lords greeted after, giving Neveah an equal bow of respect as they had just accorded to Kaideon.

Neveah smiled sheepishly, crossing her arms as she was not certain how to respond to the formal greeting.

Neveah could already tell from the organisation that the dune dragons were a force to be reckoned with, they could not be considered second only to the keep dragons if they were any less.

"Forego the formalities, do not scare her now." Kaideon lectured, walking over to Neveah’s side.

Kaideon passed Neveah a reassuring smile but when he reverted his gaze back to the dune dragons, his expression changed to something entirely different.

From the atmosphere, Neveah could already sense there was something going on and the dune dragons were not gathered here just to receive them.

And whatever news had just been relayed to Kaideon through their link had completely changed his countenance.

"Why am I just hearing of this now?!" Kaideon demanded.

"Word was only confirmed this morning, My Lord." A dune dragon Neveah was not familiar with reported.

"The dragon lords already await you in the meeting hall." Rodvan added.

Kaideon growled low beneath his breath before he turned to Neveah.

"I have had everything prepared for you, Tara will take you to your quarters and see to all your needs. I will come to see you once I handle this." Kaideon said to Neveah.

"Is everything okay...?" Neveah asked worriedly, searching Kaideon’s eyes.

Kaideon smiled slightly, nodding his head as he placed both hands on Neveah’s cheeks, and then a light kiss on her forehead.

"I will tell you when I understand the situation better. For now, you rest... welcome home, my child." Kaideon said with a warm smile.

His gaze lingered on Neveah for a moment longer before he beckoned a young woman over and then strode away, the dune dragons following behind him.

Neveah frowned in concern, wondering what exactly had happened to change Kaideon’s mood in a split second.

"Lady Neveah, I am Tara. Probably one of the only females around your age here in the dune castle." The young woman Kaideon had left Neveah to greeted with a warm smile.

"Ah, yes... father mentioned you. Uhmm... your older sister is

Lord Orin’s rider..." Neveah recalled.

"Your Uncle Orin, you mean." Tara chipped in.

"Right... right. And just call me Neveah, please." Neveah murmured, still distracted.

"Well, come on then. I’ll show you to your room, you look like you have been through a blizzard... with a sprinkle of sand." Tara assessed, chuckling quietly as Neveah shook her hair out again.

Tara lead the way into the dune castle and down the halls, talking all the way but Neveah only listened with partial attention.

"We’re here." Tara announced after a while, gesturing to a door which she pushed open and nodded for Neveah to lead the way in.

Neveah stepped into the room, glancing around for a moment.

"So... what do you think? Do you like it? The dune lord was really particularly about everything, I assume it was based on your request." Tara said, waiting expectantly for Neveah’s reaction.

A small smile settled on Neveah’s lips but she shook her head slightly.

"It’s not mine... it’s my mother’s." Neveah murmured slightly.

Neveah knew Kaideon was not so familiar with her tastes yet, but he knew one thing. Neveah would love anything that made her feel even the tiniest bit closer to her mother and Kaideon knew her mother’s tastes perfectly.

Just a glance at the room and Neveah could guess who it had been decorated for.

"Ah..." Tara said in realization.

"I will leave you to get settled and return with your meal in a little while. Is there anything else you need?" Tara asked after a moment of silence.

"Lady Neveah?" Tara called again when Neveah did not respond.

"Huh?" Neveah replied distractedly.

"Uhmm, is everything okay?" Tara asked.

"I...well, do you have any idea of what happened? Whatever the dune dragons said to my father really angered him... what news did he receive, exactly?" Neveah asked.