Omega's Rebirth

Neveah understood that, but what did all of this even have to do with King Jian? Did he not stand to gain the most if Neveah failed to qualify as a rider?

That would mean she would have to give up both Menarx and Xenon and Neveah felt that was the best case scenario for the dragon king.

"We both know that is what he would want." King Jian added.

He...? Was it silly that Neveah was not certain which ’he’ King Jian was referring to?

Neveah shook her head quickly, deciding not to ponder over it. There was only so much her mind could handle and she did not wish to handle this now.

Whatever it was the dragon king meant, the only thing that was clear was the fact that he was not asking, he was giving an order.

And as much as Neveah was tempted to tell him off, she admitted his words were not unreasonable. She would do no good sitting here by Menarx’s side in he state.

"I understand, Your Grace." Neveah finally gave in with a small bow.

King Jian said nothing in response, he turned to take his leave but stopped again.

"There are volumes in the academy that tell of the troll kind, fetch them from the master while you’re at it and bring them to me when you return." King Jian added before he strode away.

’Volumes of the troll kind?’ Neveah thought, recalling Menarx had mentioned the troll kind.

If nothing motivated Neveah to report to the rider’s academy, that last order was enough.

Though King Jian’s order said nothing about going through the volumes for herself, it also did not mention Neveah was not to.

A beast that could incite such an alarmed reaction from the ever steady Menarx, Neveah also wanted to know just what it was.

Neveah sighed quietly as she glanced over at Menarx, wondering if it was okay to take her eyes of him.

"I will be here, you have nothing to worry about. Besides, he will be unconscious for much longer, go on." Lord Everon chipped in, a rather odd smile on his lips.

"Okay... I’ll leave then." Neveah murmured as her gaze lingered for a moment longer and then she also headed out of Menarx’s quarters.

Neveah gently closed Menarx’s door, sucking in a deep breath as she continued on her way to the ascending room.

Now that the panic had settled, Neveah suddenly felt extremely exhausted. The feel of Menarx’s blood on her skin weighed heavily on her heart.

Neveah’s steps were slow, she did not think she could walk any faster. Though the mate bond had gone quiet, she still felt lethargic.

Neveah finally arrived at the ascending room and stepped in, thankfully it was unoccupied since no one was allowed to come up this high except the King’s guard.

Neveah leaned against the cold metal, her eyes fluttering closed as the ascending room moved at a steady pace till it stopped.

Neveah stepped out and headed to her room, ignoring the stares of a few attendants and noble ladies who passed by.

It was already noon, most of the noble ladies had already left for their various academies, so Neveah did not encounter that many people.

Word of Menarx’s injury must have already spread, since it had even reached Neveah before his arrival.

Neveah could hear them whispering but she was lost in her own thoughts and could not be bothered to know what they spoke of.

She already knew she would be the topic of conversation, there was nothing more to know.

Neveah arrived her quarters and stepped in, shutting the door behind her.

For a moment, she just stood, leaning against the door and sucking deep breaths in.

This was becoming an all too familiar scene to Neveah, and the Dragon Keep grew even more difficult to handle by the day... but Neveah knew she would get by, she just had to.

Neveah headed into her washroom, absentmindedly filling up her bath before she stripped out of her clothing, stepping in.

She lowered herself to a seat in the tub, bringing her knees close to her chest, she wrapped her arms around them and watched as the blood from her skin was washed out into the clear water.

"Menarx’s blood..." Neveah murmured to herself, thinking back to that first sight of him crashing into the landing platform, restless and in pain.

Menarx was not one to wear a smile, he was not easy going and carefree like Lord Kirgan was.

He would always wear a hateful scowl as though he was angry at the whole world, but even so... that sight of him so weak and fragile chilled Neveah to the bones.

For a moment, Neveah had thought that was the last she would see of Menarx.

All along, Neveah had faced death time and time again... she had never realized there was something as terrifying as facing her own death.

Neveah had seen people die, but she has never been affected by it. There was hardly anyone she considered indispensable, not even her own family.

But the thought of Menarx facing that cold, chilling darkness that swallowed up the soul... that terror that sunk deep to the bones, the horror if death Neveah had faced, it was difficult to withstand.

Neveah released a shaky breath as she tilted her head back. Thinking back on it, there were many things about life Neveah was yet to understand.

Life had always been white or black, it had always been about living or dying...

But today, Neveah had come to understand one of those things... come to realize a slight strand of gray, something that wasn’t black or white.

"I am not the only one I need to protect... Menarx, Xenon...their family and loved ones, they all need to be safe for me to be at ease."

"Because...they are important to me..." Neveah realized

This feeling of caring for someone, of cherishing another life more than one’s own life...it was terrifying, yet it felt like the only thing worth being terrified of...

It felt like the one amongst the many things Neveah had never been allowed to have...

A purpose...