The relief I’d felt before cemented itself within me, transforming into a resolve so strong that it guided my every thought.
“I need to figure out how to do this but remain in control. I’m not willing to leave Evie’s side before my time comes, which means I need to find out how to give him what he wants without putting myself in additional danger.”
I paused for a moment, considering my own words. I knew he was obsessed with me enough that he would negotiate if he believed he was getting his way. If he believed he was smarter than I was.
“If I’m going to train with him, I need to find a way to protect myself. To block him from draining me.” I chewed my lip while trying to find a way, undoing the buttons of the fur coat I still wore.
“Agreed. You can’t go to the Crimson Fortress. He has too much power there. Better to do it where you both have equal control. Find even ground.”
“Yeah, maybe—” Something fell from the coat when I pulled it off me, and our gazes lowered to find a small pouch on the floor.
“What is that?” Imogen asked, bending to pick it up and handing it to me.
“I have no idea,” I murmured, inspecting the tiny leather bag in my hands. Loosening the cords that held it close, I tossed its contents onto my palm.
A golden necklace. The thin chain was feminine and delicate, a dainty pendant in the shape of a Dragon wing secured to its center. Yet, the metal seemed darkened by dirt and time, losing the usual shine gold carried, and some of the links were crushed and out of shape, broken.
“Where did you get that?” Imogen whispered appreciatively.
“I didn’t. It’s not mine.”
“Then how did it get into your coat?”
My brow furrowed with the question, but the image of the seer pressing her hand to my chest flashed in my mind.“Don’t forget to feel…”she’d said.
“I think the Truth Teller gave it to me,” I whispered, perplexed. “Although, I didn’t feel her put it in there.” Except, how could I, when I was experiencing the strangest thing that I ever felt in my life?
“Do you recognize it?”
I shook my head. “I have never seen it before. Have you?”
A troubled emotion reached her eyes, but she shook her head. “It seems vaguely familiar, but I can’t really figure out why.”
Inspecting the little wing closer, I turned it around, finding an engraving on the back. It was almost too small to decipher, but it seemed like it read “E & S”. Artistry filled its every detail, and the care it took to forge and engrave something so delicate told me that it once signified love, and maybe one day it would again.
Brushing my thumb over it, I envisioned it polished and perfect in my mind, like the day it was made. Soon, the magic swirled from my fingertips, rushing over the necklace until the gold chain and pendant glimmered under my touch, seeming brand new.
“It’s gorgeous.”
“Yeah, it is,” I agreed, placing it in the pouch once more, and into my back pocket. “The mindscape,” I offered, returning to our original conversation. “We could train in the mindscape. Both Raithian and I have equal ground there. Especially now that I know I was able to fight back because we share the same power.”
“If you are not with him in person, it will certainly reduce the risks. Can he drain you in there?”
“He can hurt me, but only superficially, otherwise he would have probably done it already. He isn’t exactly known for his patience,” I admitted, remembering when he threw me against the wall. “I can hurt him too, though, while we are connected. Now that I have a better idea about how the mindscape works, and know I have control there too; it definitely gives me an advantage.”
“It’s decided then. He will train you in the mindscape while your body is safe under my vigilance.” The tone in her words said there would be no arguing, but I agreed. “What’s next?”
“There will be no freezing or knocking anyone unconscious. Tharion should be present too, but he will only behave as long as Raithian behaves, and he has to leave the Hidden Kingdom alone. No more threats. I don’t even want to smell him close. Not him, and not Azazel.”
“Good. When the time comes, you know what to do. Now, let’s focus on finding the crown, darling.” Her gaze shifted towards the entrance to my room. “And introducing yourself to your new guard. They are waiting outside.”
Right.
Turning, I opened my drawer in the dresser, taking out the one thing I hoped might guide me to the crown. The Dragon ring. Exchanging a brief glance with Imogen, I slid it onto my finger, and a sharp breath left me.
A rush of power coursed through my veins instantly, unlike anything I’d experienced before with the ring. The now familiar feeling of magic danced within my being, but it was stronger than I’d ever felt it. The golden hue engulfed my irises, connecting with my Dragon essence, and I took a slow breath, trying to control the feeling.
It wasn’t lost on me that the ring’s crystal glowed a bright gold now, and not blue like the prior times I’d worn it.
