Omega's Rebirth

"Damage? What is that to mean?" Menarx asked in an aggrieved tone as he moved aside.

"Creator alone knows what you two said to send Veah jumping off a cliff." Lord Everon continued accusingly.

"I didn’t even say a word!" Menarx defended.

"An accomplice then." Lord Everon concluded.

"Kaideon was also there." Menarx reminded.

"Kaideon is not as heartless as you two. How can I compare him to the likes of you?" Lord Everon asked straightforwardly.

"I see how it it is." Menarx grumbled beneath his breath as he leaned against a wall.

Menarx was not at all bothered by Lord Everon’s words. As long as Neveah was safe, Menarx doubted anything could get on his nerves at this moment.

"So...did you tell her?" Lord Everon asked as he checked Neveah’s condition.

"About what?" Menarx asked with a raised brow.

"Need I spell it out? About how she chipped away all that ice encasing your heart..." Lord Everon began but Menarx cut him off.

"I get your point. Well, I guess...?" Menarx replied with a shrug.

"The only answer to a question like this is yes or no, Menarx." Lord Everon pointed out.

"No... not directly at least." Menarx replied with a sigh.

"I will say nothing but this. Our clan is a clan of healers and warriors."

" I have set my heart to mentor Neveah on our clan’s healing arts. Since you have chosen a different path and left the leadership of the clan to me,"

"I should have someone I can entrust it to." Lord Everon revealed.

Menarx perked up at that, a small smile on his lips.

"Veah will be a perfect fit. You saw how it went with Kalia, she has the potential." Menarx approved without hesitation.

"I already know that, I knew right from the moment I set eyes on her. You are the only one who is too slow to figure out my intentions." Lord Everon replied with a scoff.

"By clan rules, only one who is family can take on our clan’s healing knowledge. Which has been the only cause of my hesitation and so, I have a job for you." Lord Everon continued as he turned to face Menarx.

"I want you to make Neveah family... can you do that?" Lord Everon asked in a serious tone.

Menarx smiled slightly and nodded with certainty.

"We share the same thoughts. The lady of ruby scales is suited to be mentored by the royal healer and inherit our clans’s arts. I will give it my best shot." Menarx assured.

"I’m sure you will." Lord Everon replied with a quiet chuckle as he passed Neveah one last glance and then took his leave.

______________

Adrienne stood in place right outside her door, staring at the closed door after Lord Menarx was long gone, her hands clenched into fists and her mind reeling.

Her thoughts were completely halted and she was torn between shock and a growing rage.

How could Adrienne have expected this? How could she have known it would be so difficult to get rid of a mere attendant?

’She was back... somehow, she returned.’

That was all Adrienne could think of, after all the efforts she had expended to be rid of Neveah, going as far as putting her gift to use,

The girl had returned in one piece, in the arms of one of the King’s guard, cradled like she was some rare treasure.

Rage burned through Adrienne’s veins as she bit down on her lip so tightly, the metallic taste of blood was left on her tongue.

"Adrienne? Is all well with you?" Lord Everon who had just emerged from Neveah’s room paused as he took notice of Adrienne.

Adrienne forced a smile to her lips and lowered her head to a bow.

"I stepped out to bid greetings to Your Eminence, but you seemed in a hurry." Adrienne forced out in her characteristic calm tone.

"Ah, do not tell me you were out here when I went in? I must have been too occupied, I did not even notice you." Lord Everon replied with a shake of his head.

"You know how I feel about all such formalities, you do not need to bother with them outside of class." Lord Everon dismissed as he continued on his way, heading down the hall.

Adrienne’s fists clenched even tighter, her smile dropping from her lips the moment Lord Everon was out of view.

Adrienne contained her rage, heading back into her room and it was only when she was within the confines of her room, a furious hiss escaped her lips.

"Before she appeared, I was your most talented trainee. And what?... You did not notice my presence?!" Adrienne muttered to herself through gritted teeth, grasping the edge of her reading table.

"She returned alive. For every day she is here in dragon keep... how much more humiliation must I endure?"

"After all I did to get this far, I am insignificant compared to her?! She was gone for just ten days and the entire keep was overturned in search of her..." Adrienne breathed in a shaky tone, tears of rage and frustration gathering in her eyes.

"His Grace even dispatched the dragon guards and never ordered their retreat... despite all my efforts, I still lose to a mere attendant!"

"All I have achieved from this great risk is the understanding...of just how cherished that attendant is in the Keep." Adrienne croaked out.

Adrienne lifted a hand to run it through her hair in frustration, sucking in a deep breath to regain her composure before she slowly wiped her tears.

"If I let her off... she will have everything that is rightfully mine. If I do not get rid of her... there will be no place left for me in Dragon Keep." Adrienne realized.

"Very well then... I am willing to admit defeat this one time. But as long as I am here in Dragon Keep, I will never let you be in peace!" Adrienne vowed fiercely.