Omega's Rebirth-Chapter 805: Hear Him ()

Neveah woke up aching in places she didn’t know she had. Last night, she had lost count of how many turns had been taken on her, along with track of time, her voice and her senses too.

And what was left in its wake was a sore throat, aching limbs, and a bittersweet realisation that she had awakened the darker side of two insatiable dragons, and not even her wolf stamina could save her.

’Can you still handle me?’

Thinking back, she couldn’t imagine what had led her to say those words.

She was not certain when she had drifted off to sleep. Or rather, when they had finally let her sleep. Before that, she had been woken up more than a few times when her body helplessly reacted to their touch.

It was hard to decide who was really doomed.

Her eyes fluttered open. Xenon lay beside her, propped up on an elbow, a lazy smile on his lips. The bare traces of daylight seeping through the canopy of trees encased him, and his damp hair gleamed, just as his eyes did.

He was dressed now. Thankfully.

"You look spent, my love..." He murmured, his tone smug. He caressed her cheek with the back of his hand, halting just at the curve of her lips.

Neveah regarded him in silence for a moment, her gaze only let up when he leaned down, kissing her lightly on the lips.

"I love you, and I’m sorry." He said, though he did not look remorseful in the slightest.

She shifted her gaze to the deeper parts of the pool just as Jian broke through the surface.

"We both are." He added.

"I’m not." Jian chipped in, earning himself a glare from Xenon.

Neveah rolled her eyes, staring up at the canopy of trees.

"I feel like I was trampled by a kobold."

Xenon chuckled. "To be fair, dragons weigh thrice as much."

She sighed quietly, sitting up on the bed of vines. Her hair fell over her shoulders and she caught Xenon’s gaze trailing down to her breasts.

"Let me take the pain away..." He offered, tone husky.

"Don’t even think about it." She warned.

He grinned. "I’ll let you be...for now."

There was an underlying promise in that statement and Neveah wadded into the pool before he could change his mind.

Jian offered a hand and she took it. Letting him pull her in for a kiss. Then he spun her around gently and slowly washed her.

"Don’t worry. I won’t go too far..." He assured, his lips grazing her neck.

He didn’t. Instead, he was gentle and attentive, applying light pressure to ease her aches until she was thoroughly washed.

When he finally pulled away, Neveah turned to face him.

"Last night... when you said if the gods were to take you..." She trailed off, unsure why those words still weighed so heavily on her heart.

She knew he hadn’t meant it in that way. Even so... the mere idea of it, it was too terrifying to comprehend.

Jian’s gaze revealed his understanding. "I... we live long lives. But we are not indestructible. What happened with Orin put things into perspective... reminded me that what nature gifted us is the possibility of eternity. Not an assurance."

His tone was low and mournful. It was visibly difficult for him, sharing his troubles.

"I’m hurt, Veah. And I loathe myself for letting his sacrifice happen...and for daring to be relieved it wasn’t you receiving the news Isalder had to." He paused, tilting his head back slightly.

Neveah leaned into him, there were no right words to say.

"But I’m not going anywhere, beloved. Not now...not ever." He murmured, his arms going around her.

"And I will atone for this selfish desire to live only for you...for all eternity, if need be."

Neveah exhaled slowly. "You’ve done nothing to atone for."

She wasn’t sure what else to say to reassure him, but she didn’t get the chance to speak.

"Someone’s outside." She murmured, pulling away slightly. Her nose twitched, unease churning within her.

"It’s... Lodenworth."

"Will you see him?" Xenon asked, he had already moved from his position. He now leaned against a tree by the barrier, a glare fixed on it. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

The silhouette of a man was visible through the barrier. From the other side, Lodenworth couldn’t see them. But he clearly knew they were there.

The silhouette stood on the other side. He said nothing and he didn’t move. He knew also, that they were aware of him.

"No." Jian’s response was simple and direct.

"Jian..." Neveah began. "He came alone..."

He frowned. Eyes searching Neveah’s. "You wish for me to hear him out?"

She sighed. "I want you to get the clarity I know you need, My Liege."

"Lodenworth has served you for... centuries. I know you want answers, I can see it in your eyes."

"I already know enough." He murmured. "It won’t be the first time..." His tone was chilling cold.

Neveah winced. She was certain Xenon did too. It was not intentional on Jian’s path but he had just hinted at a past that left scars on both men.

Because then, just as now...he had been betrayed by someone he trusted. For a woman.

"I think I led him here." Neveah confessed quietly.

"Last night... somehow, I think... I slipped into his dreams."

Jian’s brows furrowed. He was visibly displeased.

"No no... not in the way you think." She explained quickly. "I may have projected the memory of Adrienne’s death, to his dreams."

"It just happened and I couldn’t stop it. But I think...you should hear him out."

He was silent for a short moment and then he nodded once. "I do not care what his truth is and it will not change what has happened. Or the consequences of his actions."

"But if you will have me listen...so be it."

Together they left the pool and got dressed. The scenery in the grove changed again, the pool receding.

The bed of vines disappeared and all that was left was the white stone throne. Cold, unmoving...much like the one who sat on it.