Omega's Rebirth-Chapter 728: Royalty ()

Neveah watched her reflection in the mirror, her fingers trembled as she secured the final strap on her arm guard. The sleek material of the black riding suit glinted under the room’s dim lighting. It clung to her figure like a second skin, the fit was unnervingly precise, like someone had predicted exactly how she would look at this exact time when she needed it.

"The first riding suit has to be gifted..." Neveah began, her voice carried a note of wonder. The words hung in the air as she watched Xenon come up behind her, his arms circled her waist with a quiet confidence that sent a shiver down her spine. "How long ago did you prepare this?"

Xenon stared into the mirror, watching Neveah’s eyes and then tracing her form. He exhaled slowly, his expression unreadable save for the flicker of pride. "On the night of the ball to announce you as...Lady of Ruby Scales." Xenon replied, the last words taking noticeable effort to say.

Neveah flinched, recalling how that night had gone. Xenon had finally returned after months since she discovered he mistook her for Misha. He was a changed man, the craze in his eyes was subdued, and his speech was fluent, his presence less erratic. At first glance, Neveah’s heart wavered, but she clung onto her resolve and turned him away.

Her loyalty and sense of duty to Menarx did not allow her to accept Xenon’s visible intentions, and her fear of her place in Xenon’s heart being that of a rebound. Even when Menarx’s bond had begun to fall apart that very night, Neveah still held on.

If she had accepted Xenon and risked betraying Menarx then, would things have been different? Would she have ever found Jian? Or would he despise her for doing exactly what he feared and bonding to Xenon?

Would the stronghold crumble to this extent? Had she not made the choices she had...

"You were the first to find me...when did we first meet? When did you first set eyes on me?" Neveah asked a question she had long been curious about.

Xenon was silent for a long time, he just watched Neveah’s reflection before he replied. "Seven years ago..."

Neveah’s breath caught as he continued.

"I wasn’t myself back then." Xenon said, his tone low and deliberate. "The wild haze clawed at my mind, only relenting when exhaustion took over me. So I would fly for days, weeks...till I had no strength left in me, if only for just a moment to have my mind to myself."

"On one of those nights, I saw gleaming lights from the clouds. I wondered why and descended slightly to discover it was some kind of festival, young werewolves dancing under the moonlight." He paused, his lips curving faintly.

"But it wasn’t the revelry that caught my attention. A little further into the forest, guess what I found?"

Xenon leaned in, nuzzling his head into Neveah’s neck. "A golden haired girl, holding a torch, and I wondered to myself, would she set the forest on fire?"

Neveah laughed quietly, her cheeks warmed in embarrassment.

"But the true fire...it was the one in your eyes. I watched you all night long Veah, you just stood there, watching the festivities, but you never attempted to be a part of it. There was no yearning in your gaze either, you just... watched."

"And I truly thought you did not care for it, until you cried yourself to sleep sitting against the oak tree."

Neveah’s cheeks flushed at the thought but Xenon’s tone was steady, reverent.

"How could one so young conceal her true emotions so expertly that even an unsuspecting witness could not decipher? Yet crumble the moment no one was looking?" Xenon murmured in quiet musing. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

"How could one so young already be so guarded? Yet carefree enough to fall asleep in an open forest? You captivated me, Veah. And I wondered, did the forest feel safer to you, than the castle a short distance away? Did it feel more like home?" Xenon paused, turning Neveah around to face him, his eyes held hers.

"Questions trailed me home... I could not shake off the thought of what I had seen. It haunted me and pulled me back to that forest time and again over the next few years. I kept coming, till Jian caught on to my trips and trailed me. The nosy bastard." Xenon chuckled quietly and Neveah laughed quietly.

"You... have known me for seven years..." Neveah murmured, the weight of it settling over her. "Why did you never...say anything?"

Xenon’s expression turned somber. "Veah..." He said softly. "I was a man descending into an abyss of darkness. The wild haze grew stronger by the day, consuming me. I was a danger to everyone I knew and loved... how could I dare step into your light? For me, just watching you...was enough."

Silence filled the space between them, but the air thrummed with words left unsaid. But Neveah knew now was not the time.

"What word?" Neveah reluctantly broke the silence.

"The council has been informed you are conscious. Imagor requests your presence in the audience hall. I have told him we will be leaving Dragon Keep." Xenon relayed to Neveah.

"Will we leave immediately? Or will you go to the council first?" Xenon asked.

"What do you think?" Neveah replied with a question of her own.

"War looms closer than ever... your word will count for much, and any assurances of Jian’s well being will boost morale. Dragons may be battle lords, but we do not delight in war, we only embrace it. We will need to be reminded, for what.. and whom we fight." Xenon said with a nod.

"Then that is what I will do." Neveah said nodding. She stepped away from Xenon and spread her arms to her side. "How do I look?"

"Like royalty..." Xenon replied with a nod of approval. A ghost of a smile lingered on his lips.