Omega's Rebirth-Chapter 510: Not Today ()

Kaideon strummed his fingers on the center table, his brows furrowed as he consciously timed his breaths to tame his rage but his agitation was visible to all.

"Dune Lord, what was that with Neveah? How did she... how could she know magic?" Coran asked in bafflement.

He was the first amongst the dune enforcers to break the silence, since the events from earlier had rendered them all speechless.

"I saw...but I am uncertain of what to make of what I have seen." Garron murmured quietly.

"If Veah knew magic, I believe we all would have sensed it. The smell of magic is hard to miss." Rodvan pointed out.

"Yet she does know magic, because that was magic! Powerful, ancient magic! The kind one would only find in the royal Fae, or nymph oracles or advanced mages." Coran insisted.

"Whatever it was, it saved the entire dune city Coran, and restored the barrier to its maximum strength which the light hall have been unable to achieve in the past year." Orin reminded.

"That is precisely the problem! The kind of magic that could restore the barrier, something dozens of fairies have failed to do?! Such magic still exists and is in Neveah’s hands?! Is that good news for Veah...or bad?!" Coran asked.

"Half the city saw that happen! The other half will hear of it soon! We are still at odds with the Fae. Do you not realise how dangerous this could become for Veah?!" Coran exclaimed.

The entire hall fell quiet at Coran’s words. Truly such a thing as what happened today had never happened before in the history of the stronghold, and there were not many people who fancied or could tolerate what they did not understand.

"Kaideon, say something. This is not the time to go silent on us." Garron tried.

Kaideon’s gaze snapped up at the mention of his name.

"I do not know, I have no knowledge of this and I do not care for theories. What I do know is that whoever lays a hand on my daughter will die..."

"Right after I understand why His Grace believes he can order me away from my daughter in my own damned castle!" Kaideon hissed, slamming a hand down on the table.

Kaideon was not sure if he was more agitated by King Jian’s order, or by all that had just happened beginning from Neveah’s disappearance, or perhaps it was his ignorance of it all.

She was his own daughter, they had lived under the same roof, how could he not have observed anything? How could he have allowed her deal with whatever she had to deal with all by herself?

Kaideon did not get to ponder over it any further because the doors came open and King Jian strode into the hall, accompanied by Cassian.

His gaze roved over the hall for a moment before settling on Kaideon.

"Because your daughter is my bonded, Kaideon. Is that a good enough reason for you or need I still remind you that I am your King and I do not have to explain myself to you?" King Jian asked in a blank tone.

Kaideon’s hands clenched into fists as he got up to his feet and lowered his head to a bow.

"With all due respects Your Grace, that is not a claim you can make as you please. No, it is not a claim I am willing or inclined to accept...not until Neveah endorses it." Kaideon countered firmly.

Kaideon did know King Jian’s words were undoubted, he had seen with his own eyes how they had shared strength and magic, a feat only possible through a true bond...everyone had witnessed it.

But what did it mean to be bonded to the dragon king? What did it mean for his daughter who had finally found her happiness and freedom away from the horrors of dragon keep? Kaideon could not even conceive it.

"Kaideon... This is between Neveah and I, it is not your place." King Jian reminded in a low, warning growl.

"Your Grace, my daughter’s life and affairs have been my place from the moment she was conceived and it will remain my place for as long as I live and breathe." Kaideon clarified.

"Are you aware that Veah cares for Xenon? And has cared for him for a long time already?" Kaideon continued.

King Jian’s brows twitched visibly at the direct confrontation.

Kaideon was prepared for anything the Dragon King would throw his way, he would not back down, not when it was about Neveah.

"If you plan to hold it against her or force her to make any choice contrary to her will, you will find that my loyalty to you may be absolute but it takes less priority than my daughter’s wellbeing." Kaideon made clear.

"Kaideon, that is enough." King Jian dismissed.

"Your Grace..." Kaideon began but was interrupted by King Jian.

"When you first found Eira, your bonded...were you capable to think of much beyond your need to be with her? Were you capable of conceiving any thought that would possibly hurt her?"

"Would you entertain even the slightest mention of being apart from her?" King Jian asked blankly.

Kaideon fell quiet at this, he had not expected King Jian would bring up Eira, he was never one to speak more than what was absolutely necessary... and so King Jian had never once mentioned Eira, not since Kaideon stopped speaking.

Kaideon’s arguments were stuck in his throat, he did recall clearly the first time he had set eyes on his bonded, how his world had rightly aligned for the first time in his entire existence.

Kaideon knew for sure that if anyone had said the words he was saying to King Jian at this moment to him back then, he would never have stood for it.

"I have only now found my bonded, and I know well enough that the road ahead will not be easy...but even so, I am elated... I have known more happiness today than I have ever in centuries."

"This moment, this precious moment... I wish to bask in it, if only for a day." King Jian said quietly.

"So Kaideon , we will not be having this conversation today. Go to Neveah... she wishes to see you." King Jian did not pursue it further.