Omega's Rebirth

As the council was dismissed, the dragon lords and riders took their leave while King Jian remained sitting on his throne,

Though his expression revealed nothing, his exhaustion was reflected in his eyes.

The King’s guard were the last to leave and as Menarx headed down the stairs with Neveah by his side, King Jian stopped them.

"Not you..." King Jian said.

They both turned and Neveah raised a brow to find King Jian’s gaze was fixed on her.

"My Liege?" Menarx asked uncertainly.

"Everyone leave...but her." King Jian repeated.

Menarx raised a brow before he passed Neveah a look, Neveah nodded her consent.

"I’ll be right outside." Menarx said and only then did Menarx take his leave along with the rest of the King’s guard.

The doors to the audience hall were closed and Neveah stood, staring up at King Jian while he just stared back in absolute silence.

A moment passed and King Jian still said nothing, Neveah suddenly felt uneasy and it took a conscious effort on her part not to begin fidgeting.

It was already clear to Neveah that if there was a anyone who detested her the most in dragon keep, it would have to be the Dragon King.

Well...there was also the annoying fairy, but Neveah would not bother with her at this time.

What mattered was the fact that Neveah could not tell exactly what the dragon king had to say to her in person that he would even send away the King’s guard.

’He will probably threaten us again...cast the blame on us for all that goes wrong in Dragon Keep.’ Neveah’s wolf thought to her.

Neveah smirked in amusement, her wolf always new exactly the words to say to restore Neveah’s calm.

"Would Your Grace be needing anything?" Neveah broke the silence first when it seemed King Jian had no intentions to do so himself.

"Xenon...you met him during his haze." King Jian did not ask but only stated, however he waited for a response from Neveah.

Neveah bit her lip slightly, no one knew she had gone straight to Mount Edar after Lady Kaliana’s delivery and no one knew she had nearly died at Xenon’s hands.

They only knew of the event at the cliff and nothing else.

Neveah had hoped she would never have to speak of it, she did not wish to provide more reason to those who wanted Xenon dead. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

At the time, Xenon was already in danger, Neveah would not cause him anymore trouble.

"I did." Neveah admitted hesitantly, she was not sure how King Jian had found out but she knew there was no need to deny it.

Perhaps Xenon had told him of it, or perhaps King Jian just knew... the dragon king was always intuitive like that.

"He hurt you." King Jian murmured, just audible enough for Neveah to hear him.

Again, King Jian was not asking, just stating what he already knew.

"I... it was nothing." Neveah quickly dismissed.

King Jian scoffed beneath his breath at Neveah’s words.

"That only makes it sound more severe." King Jian pointed out.

Neveah said nothing in response, she only averted her gaze and kept a straight face.

"Is that why you asked to leave? And even jumped off a cliff?" King Jian asked after a moment of quiet.

"You broke your end of the bargain, you refused my wish. This has nothing to do with Xenon." Neveah reminded with a frown.

"It truly was me then?" King Jian asked with a raised brow.

Neveah was just about to affirm to King Jian’s words but then she thought about it and shook her head.

"My choices have nothing to do with anyone." Neveah replied.

"And now?" King Jian asked.

"I will not jump of another cliff, if that is what you are asking." Neveah replied, unsure of what King Jian truly wanted to know.

It seemed Neveah’s response was good enough for King Jian because he did not enquire further.

"Report to the rider’s academy, I will send word ahead... perhaps a decent rider can be made out of you." King Jian instructed.

"You allow it?" Neveah asked in surprise, she had not expected King Jian would permit her to be Menarx’s rider.

"I spoke only of a rider...as for what color you shall represent, that is still left to be seen." King Jian concluded as he waved a hand to dismiss Neveah.

Neveah lowered her head to a bow and then took her leave. Arriving outside the audience hall, she stopped and glanced back for a moment, finding those mismatched orbs staring right back at her.

It was just for a split second before the doors to the audience hall were closed again and Neveah was left in bafflement.

"What exactly did he mean?" Neveah murmured to herself.

"Veah, is everything alright?" Menarx asked as he walked over from where he stood, waiting for Neveah.

Neveah nodded slowly, still pondering over King Jian’s meaning.

"He says...to report to the rider’s academy." Neveah relayed to Menarx.

"I was just about to bring it up. All you need to know about dragons and dragon riding will be carefully taught at the academy. The masters will guide you." Menarx assured.

"Rider’s academy...?" Neveah murmured to herself.

"As a rider on the King’s guard, you will have to be tested under the guidance of the masters at the academy."

"All riders must pass through this phase, but you will be the first and only wolf shifter Veah... it will be gruelling and difficult. Will you be okay with it?" Menarx asked in concern.

Neveah smiled slightly, she was not certain what opinion Menarx had of her, if only he knew just what Neveah had already been through, he would not be so worried for her.

"I’ll be fine Narx, trust me." Neveah assured.

"Then I will take you there at dawn tomorrow." Menarx said.

"Tomorrow? Why not today?" Neveah asked.

"Today... there is a place I want to show you." Menarx replied with a smile as he offered Neveah a hand.