Omega's Rebirth-Chapter 786: Not A Warning ()

Time flew by and Neveah lost track of how long she had spent in the sanctum. It could have been a few hours already, from the little traces of sunlight she could catch. It was a different feeling being amongst humans again, they had been her preferred company back in the Eclipse Domain.

Their simplistic lives had always been enviable, even now. Neveah would have traded anything for it then, it was not the same anymore but she still felt at ease.

They did not seem to know Neveah’s identity too, if they did, they were not really concerned by it. The fact that she was a rider should have incited some fear in them, or at least wariness, surprisingly it didn’t.

Xenon found her eventually, stepping into the sanctum like he belonged there, gaze scanning until it settled on her beside a child who had fallen asleep clutching her sleeve.

"I should’ve known," he murmured.

Neveah looked up, her voice low. "They are too young for this. They needed something real today. Not another warning. Not more fear."

Xenon crouched beside her, brushing soot from her jawline with his thumb. "And what about you?"

Neveah exhaled, staring at the tiny sleeping figure beside her. "I needed it too."

"Do you feel better now?" He asked, gaze searching hers.

Neveah shrugged slightly. "I’m not certain that’s the word, but I certainly feel more present."

"That is good enough." He murmured.

Rising to his feet, he offered Neveah a hand and after gently situating the child, she took Xenon’s extended hand and they headed out of the sanctum.

"How did it go?" Neveah asked once they were out in the hallway.

Xenon did not respond immediately but then he nodded once. "Well."

"That bad." Neveah muttered in understanding.

"A tenth of the fortress lies in ash and another is a sea of cooled lava." Xenon replied. "There is no enemy to confront. Or stop."

"I did not think there would be a time I found fire...cruel." He admitted.

"Indeed." Neveah agreed.

Dragons were creatures born of fire. To them, it was something sacred. Something they were proud of and cherished.

It was everything they stood for and a bond that brought the entire race together. It couldn’t have been easy, watching that same sacred fire destroy a fortress they were sworn to protect.

It was even more devastating that there was nothing they could do about it but watch.

"It’s hard not to feel responsible. But we are not responsible." Neveah said, tightening her hold on Xenon’s hand.

"I know." Xenon nodded, passing Neveah a small smile.

"The day’s reports are in the council room. There is a huge pile...last I checked. Especially regarding resource allocation." Xenon relayed to Neveah.

"Timely. I considered making some adjustments to the supply regulation." Neveah said. "But you need to rest."

Xenon shook his head slightly. "Tonight, I will."

Neveah did not insist. They arrived at the council room where the reports were stacked on the central table just as Xenon had said.

The pile was considerable. It would take at least a few hours to go through it.

"Lord Kiroff is getting too comfortable dumping the governing affairs of his fortress on you." Xenon muttered, staring at the pile with a frown.

"It would be impossible to expect him to sit behind a desk to organise and allocate supplies at this time." Neveah reasoned. "He must be more tortured by all that is happening than any of us."

"True." Xenon sighed. He walked over to the desk and pulled out the chair for Neveah and then he also took a seat beside her.

"And I am glad they trust me enough to leave it to me. I mean... I’ve only been Dune Lord for a few months." Neveah added, a smile on her lips. "Dragon Queen for even less time."

"Whatever makes him think I can manage a fortress and keep it running at such a critical time?" Neveah asked, more to herself than to Xenon.

"It’s your aura." Xenon supplied. "You’ve always had the ability to inspire respect and trust. People have no choice but to be drawn to you."

Neveah passed him a sideways glance. "Are you justifying falling in love with me even before knowing me?"

Xenon leaned forward slightly, his lips twitching. "Why do I need to justify that? It is a fact...you and I, we are inevitable."

"You’re that certain?" Neveah quizzed.

"I am certain that you could have hidden under a mountain and I would have stumbled on you, loved you... and made you mine." Xenon replied simply.

Neveah was quiet for a moment and then she nodded. "I guess I played right into your hands then."

"Why? You like my hands." Xenon’s response was husky.

Neveah shook her head slightly, sliding her chair to the side by a measure.

"Reports, Xenon. Let’s not disappoint all that trust my aura draws to me." Neveah reminded, shoving a pile over to Xenon.

Xenon leaned back on his chair, staring at the pile of reports like it had thorns on it. Amongst the King’s guard, Xenon, Kirgan and Menarx were never fond of governing affairs,

Hence Imagor and Cassian who were more politically involved usually found themselves buried in all the paperwork.

All five were completely different personalities but somehow, they made it work.

"Sometimes, I wish Imagor or Cassian was here." Neveah lamented, studying Xenon’s reaction.

"You and I both." Xenon agreed, reaching for a report with a sigh.

A violent tremor rocked the Infernal castle before they could settle into the paperwork and they exchanged a look.

"A third eruption this soon?" Neveah murmured. "I had thought it would take at least a few more days."

"The volcano seemed calm all night. Lord Kiroff predicted it would rest for three days. But we expected it would be unpredictable." Xenon replied.

"It might just be a warning tremor." Neveah said hopefully.

A second tremor, even more violent shook the castle. And it became clear that it was not a warning.