171-180

Chapter 171

Chapter 171(18+)

[I hope these two chapters satiate you guys. There's a lot of exciting stuff coming soon and I hope you guys are excited as we draw ever closer to the great scar arc, and then what lies beyond. All I'm going to say is that it will probably be the greatest arc so far. A sort of culmination of everything I've learned as I've written this novel and showing how much I've grown. Things will only continue to get better, and I'm very thankful you guys have remained and for your continued support.]

The three of us ended up taking our fun from the bath to the bedroom after the two ladies washed out their mouths. None of us bothered to get dressed, though we did quickly dry off, mainly because Misty had something she wanted to do to potentially increase our pleasure.

The bed was large and felt amazing compared to what we'd been sleeping on the past few weeks, not that the moss beds weren't fine, but it was clear this bed had been made for comfort. It was full of pillows and a blanket that had a small enchantment on it that I recognized as a self-cleaning enchantment.

"Hold on," Misty said as she left the room. Her voice sounded from the main room. "I need to get something!"

Sandra sauntered over to me and turned, pressing her firm ass to my erection. "What do you think she has planned?"

I trailed my hands up her sides until I arrived at her breasts. I slowly began massaging them causing her to let out soft moans as she pressed harder back into me. "I'm not sure, but if she thinks it will increase our pleasure then I'm all for it."

Sandra and I continued playing with each other until Misty finally came back with a bottle in her hand.

"Is that oil?" I asked, unsure of what she wanted to do. "You want me to cook something?"

Misty rolled her eyes. "No I want you to rub it all over me and Sandra and then we'll in turn rub all over you." She smiled seductively. "It's meant to increase pleasure. I bought it from a shop near the hotel on my way back after the incident with the three fools."

I moved from Sandra and towards Misty who handed me the bottle. I inspected it, noting that the bottle was made of glass and had intricate carvings with lines of gold tracing the cravings along with a diamond on the lid. Something like this would have been far beyond me a few months ago, but with our wealth and Zirani, I didn't really worry about it. The oil itself was amber in color and there was aether in it.

"The women said it was from beyond the scar," Misty explained.

This chapter upload first at NovelBin.com"Makes sense," I replied. "So you just want me to rub it all over you two, huh?"

She smiled. "In any way you want, as long as it's pleasurable."

I smirked. "Oh, it'll be pleasurable. Lie down on the bed. We don't have to worry about getting it wet or dirty. It's self-cleaning."

The two beautiful naked ladies lay down flat on their stomachs, and I took a minute to just take in their figures. The training hadn't taken anything away from them, if anything it had increased their beauty. Sandra was more athletic but still had perfect curves that accentuated the hard lines of her body while Misy's body was a bountiful banquet of delightful curves and supple flesh. She had an hourglass figure not to mention that ass and those breasts. Both had amazing assets and I would enjoy my time with them immensely. I opened the bottle which somehow was flexible even though it knew it was glass. I poured a big doss of the liquid onto one of my hands and then placed it down before rubbing them together and moving to kneel on the bed in between the two ladies.

I began at their legs and slowly worked my way up until I got to their upper thighs. I teased them a bit by moving my hands closer and closer to their slits before pulling back. Both ladies let out low moans as I moved onto their perfect asses and began to massage both, starting with Sandra and then moving on to Misty. The oil gave their skin a sheen which for some reason got me really turned on, and put some more oil on my hands before I moved to their backs. I wasn't an expert in massages, but I knew enough that I was able to make the experience quite enjoyable for both of them and once I was done, I had them turn around.

This was where the fun part began. I took my time caressing and massaging every part of their body, taking extra care of their breasts. The oil seemed to be working as they moaned and I could feel their pleasure through our bond, more than what would normally happen via just simple touch.

Once they were all oiled up, I lay down while they got up. I took in their all sleek bodies that shone in the orange light of the room.

"Our turn now," they said in unison. Both lathered themselves up with even more oil before they proceed to rub themselves against me in the most delightful way. The moment the oil began to be rubbed into me, I felt a nice tingling, and heat course through my body, increasing as more and more of my body was oiled up. They used their breasts and assess, and we kissed and spent long moments massaging each other.

At one point I sat back while Sandra sucked on Misty's large breasts. The oil was actually edible so we didn't have to worry about anything. Eventually when we were all nice and ready, Misty took her place over me. My erection stood hard and ready, and with two fingers she spread her flower apart as she lowered herself onto me.

My groan of pleasure was cut off as Sandra sat on my face, her slit against my mouth. I immediately wrapped my arms around her thighs as I began to lick and use my tongue to get her off.

Misty tunnel warped around me and the oil increased the pleasure, allowing her to move up and down more easily. I heard a kissing sound from above me as Misty began to bounce up and down, the sound of her ass smacking against me adding to the other sound of pleasure.

Moans, groans, and mingling oiled flesh mixed to create a melody of ecstasy that pushed our combined pleasure ever higher.

"Oh fuck, Aiden," Misty moaned. "I'm going to— Oooh!"

Her wet passage tightened around me as she reached a high. Sandra and I felt the wave of pleasure through the bond but I was able to hold back, just barely, and it took every ounce of will I had. She shook and her moans echoed in the room.

"My turn now," Sandra said quickly as Misty released me from inside her. My emerald-eyed beauty gave me a long lick and smiled. "You taste good Misty. Living up to your name, sweet fang."

Misty rolled her eyes and gave Sandra a smack on the ass. "Go on, he's waiting."

"Not like this," I said as I stood and picked up Sandra. I placed her down under me and spread her legs before positioning myself at her slit. As I did I motioned Misty forwards. The blond obliged and Sandra's moan as I entered her was muffled as the sexy blond sat down on her face.

"Since you like how much I taste," Misty said. "You can— Oooh!"

Her sentence was cut off as Sandra assumedly got to work.

I started off with slow and sensual thrusts as I lend forward and locked lips with Mistys who rocked on Sandra. The oil was definitely working as it was so easy to move in and out of the dark harried beauty even though she was so damn tight. Her warm center was wrapped around my silken flesh and soon I was pounding into her so hard that I was sure if she hadn't been at the third level it would have hurt somewhat, but she was able to take it all, and even with Misty atop her, I could hear her moans. My hands were on her legs keeping her open for me as my thick manhood moved in and out of her.

I swapped from kissing Misty to sucking on her nipples or neck, sometimes teasing her by nibbling on them. The oil added a sweet taste to everything not that I was complaining.

Soon the three of us reached a crescendo together and everything seemed to stop just before we all orgasmed simultaneously, the pleasure reverberating through the bond, and the screams of the ladies were deafening, easily outmatching my own loud groan as I emptied myself into Sandra whose tunnel milked me for all I had. Misty shook and grasped my shoulder for balance. My body was tensing as I poured what felt like a gallon of my seed into Sandra's womb, my shaft buried fully inside her.

Slowly, but surely it began to die down until all that could be heard was panting.

"Oh my fuck," I said. "That… was amazing!"

"And hopefully not over," Misty said as she moved off Sandra who had a blissful expression on her face.

"Oh he's still ready," Sandra said with a content sigh. "I can feel him, still hard inside me."

I smiled. "As I said before, I'm ready to go."

Chapter 172

Chapter 172

[ This is just a quick message to let everyone know that I have heard your feedback and I'm currently working on making sure there are fewer, or hopefully no more, grammar and spelling mistakes in chapters. I understand that it's annoying and can take you out of the moment. I doubt I can make it perfect all the time but if I can reduce it to even just one mistake per chapter then I'll consider that a win, not that I won't try and make it perfect. Thank you for your continued support. I truly do appreciate the feedback.]

Our fun continued for long hours and by the time our lusts were satiated, it was early morning so we decided to have some food brought up before we finally headed out.

The main reception was the busiest it had ever been, but even with that, the receptionist still managed to pick us out from the crowd and ask if we required anything. We didn't, and I had to admit he was dedicated to his job. The others in reception would have most likely been angry if not for the fact all three of us were at the third level and our power was clear. There was plenty of muttering and whispers as we passed, but I paid them no attention.

My focus was on the city, and the preparations occurring. I had noticed the decorations somewhat yesterday, but well I had mostly pushed it to the back of my mind as I'd had other things to worry about, but now all I could do was wait. It was hard knowing there were two other brothels full of slaves, but there was nothing I could do, and worrying about it, would cause me nothing but grief. It was a beautiful day and I was with my three loves, so I would enjoy it.

The arrival of the expedition was treated more like a parade by the people of the city, and as we walked from the hotel to the market, we saw people setting flyers, flags, and other decorations all over the city, or at least the main areas. Nobody bothered to do anything to the more out-of-the-way areas as it would be unlikely that those from the expedition would go there.

To my surprise, there were also stalls which I found confusing since I couldn't imagine what people from Zirani lands would want from here. They probably had far greater things in their lands.

"Trash from a member of the expedition would be treasure here," Zirani said. "And you never know. You can't lump all people into one category. Yes, my lands are more brutal, but there is still a wide array of peoples. Maybe someone from my court will take interest in one of those green leaf broaches over there and pay with one of our crystals which would be worth hundreds of your crystals."

That made more sense, and it was also probably why there were no weapons, armor, or any such thing on sale. Trinkets made sense, but it was unlikely those from the expedition would buy inferior armor and weapons especially since they'd have to go back into the scar and as Zirani put it, the average arcanists from the lands beyond the scar would not be allowed on the expedition. Usually, it was those with greater talent, maybe pupils or those from influential families who wished to grow.

"The great scar is a harsh and deadly environment, the deadliest you could say," Zirani explained. "And as such, if used right, can create the deadliest arcanists."

"Are they arriving today?" Misty asked.

This chapter upload first at NovelBin.com"Tomorrow," Sandra answered. "At least I think so. Should be interesting."

Sandra's voice carried a tone of nervousness to it, and I immediately knew why. Just like myself and Zirani, she would have to reveal herself to the members of her family, and well she had no clue what would happen. There was also the problem with the person who wanted her gone, and fear that she might be rejected, even though Zirani had assured her she would not. If anything, the fact she had reached so far in the plains would create awe and impress. It would lead people to a simple conclusion. What could she accomplish with the proper resources in an aether-rich land?

It would be much the same for me, minus the whole thing with Zirani, her mother, and the verdant court.

We spent a few hours just having a look around parts of the city we hadn't seen yet. I thoroughly enjoyed our time in the food district and sampling all of the different types of street foods, and the dishes inside the more expensive eateries. The girls enjoyed their time in the higher-end clothing stores, and it would have been boring if not for the fact they seemed to take great pleasure in putting on revealing clothes and showing them off to me in the private changing rooms.

Everything seemed like it would turn out fine until later in the day when we were heading back to the hotel. Directly ahead of us two groups of robed arcanists seemed to be in some sort of a standoff. I recognized the red of the burning sands sect, but the others in shining metallic robes foreign to me, though I assumed their sect name probably had something to do with metal, and not just because of their robes. Almost all of them had a metal affinity with the leader having two cores, one metal, and the other wind. A deadly combination that I had once dreamed of having back in my academy days. The strength of cold steel and the speed of razor wind was a combination that allowed for much.

Its versatility in both offense and defense was unmatched by few of the other basic affinity combos, not that it instantly made you better. It just gave you a lot more options. It was the reason I had wanted it while so many others in my class had wanted fire. Fire was good and all, but limited by itself and couldn't work with many other affinities like water and earth, and even with wind, all it did was enhance the other's destructive capabilities, though with what I knew now, I could see more uses, but for the people in the plains, wind, and metal would be the better choice.

The man at the head of the red-robed group was also at the third level with a fire and earth core. He stood glaring at the other leader, and both were in the process of readying techniques, simple and crude techniques, but techniques nonetheless. I snorted. I was acting as Zirani once had, but I couldn't help it. It was like watching two grown men use children's play weapons to fight, or something similar. I couldn't think of a better analogy.

"Do we intervene?" Misty asked.

"No, there's no reason to," I replied. "Everyone is watching from a distance and their techniques won't go far, so there won't be any civilians in the way, and plus, do you really want to get into a fight with them."

"You think they would?" Sandra asked. "We're all at the third level."

I raised a finger. "One word, Arrogance."

Sandra frowned then nodded. "Fair enough."

"Even if they can't beat us," I said. "They will most likely go on about how they're part of this great sect and how we're making a big mistake and one of them will make a move on one of you, and then I'll have to kill them or worse."

Misty rasied an eyebrow. "You'd do that?"

I nodded. "I would. If they have the gall to try it in front of me, then they're asking for a beat down and if they even think of touching you, I will end them."

It wasn't just jealousy talking, or at least not completely. Our bonds and time together had tied us together in an irrevocable way, and the idea of someone tied to my soul being taken made my blood boil. I was theirs just as they were mine and I would not allow them to take what was mine, just as I didn't think they'd allow me to be taken.

"So we just watch or go around?" Sandra asked.

"We can watch," I said. "I'm interested to see what's going to happen."

Unfortunately, just then one of the red-robed figures turned the gaze to us and then whispered into the ears of his leader whose gaze turned to me. I met his eyes, and let any emotion in my gaze, save for a cold promise, fade. We stared at each for a long moment, and then I felt more eyes on me as the metallic robed arcanists turned to us. I met their leader's gaze as well, once again allowing only one thing to show in my gaze.

I'm not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn't for the two-core burning sands arcanist to raise a finger and point at me.

"You!"

I sighed and glanced at Misty and Sandra. "And thus begins the idiocy."

I cracked my neck and stretched as I strode forward. While the metallic robes leader had backed off, taking my gaze as warning enough, the burning sands leader hadn't and I could already tell what he was about to say. His chest was puffed out and his head raised high, looking down his nose at me. You'd think these sorts would learn, but then again he probably had never been beaten or lost, so he didn't understand.

Well then, it would be my job to teach him, and teach him… I would.

Chapter 173

Chapter 173

Zirani's mother had once told her that she'd know when she found the one, the person who she would love. At the time, Zirani had brushed her aside, and ignored her. She hadn't cared for that sort of love back then, just the green. She had been a free spirit and as much as many thought her naive, she wasn't hated by anyone in the verdant court. In her aunt's court, yes, but not her mother's.

Life had been well, and for three hundred years she had stayed safe in the lands of the court, protected by the greatest nature arcanists around, and above all of them stood those two. She had only ever uttered their names twice, and both times she had regretted it. To attract the attention of one of them was to be like an insect under inspection, feeling utterly helpless as something beyond your understanding looked down at you. That was one of the reasons she had made sure Aiden and the girls never uttered such names, even thinking them was too dangerous as the intent could be sensed.

The simplicity and peace hadn't lasted, and things had changed. She still remembered that night. The blue fire, that titan of burning flame striding across the land like something out of a legend. The screams, the pain she had felt from the green. In these lands, the plains, the green wasn't really alive, not like it was in her lands which were far richer in aether. She heard them all that night. The green for miles had been screaming.

That had been her wake-up call.

She had died that night as she had watched the king and queen appear to do battle with the Titan of blue fire.

The peaceful dryad had died that night, and the jungle queen had been born.

She had dedicated herself wholly to becoming stronger, and against all odds she had caught up and surpassed all her peers, even going against her mother and heading to her aunt's court to train. That had been hell, but when she'd left, she had been far greater than before, even if a part of her had died there.

Through all of it, she had abandoned the idea that she would ever love. She would dedicate herself to the court, to her lands, and to her people. A vigilant guardian, a ferocious hunter, a kind friend.

Then, of course, she'd picked an unfavorable fight and things had escalated. She had ended up in the plains. She still didn't know exactly how it had happened, but she knew one of the causes had been that damn spatial arcanist and the breaking of the gateway.

Whatever had happened had left her in a sorry state with barely a scrap of aether and a body that had been in the process of failing, but she had survived. Somehow, a coreless arcanist with the right bloodline had found her. They had bonded and the rest was history.

She smiled as she remembered those first few weeks, and how she had felt. Things had slowed down compared to her life back home and she had time to try and love. With someone like Aiden, it had been easy to fall in love. He had been so honest and naive. There had been times she had wanted to smack him over the head and other times where she had wanted to hug him in pity.

That boy was no more though.

After the encounter with the hag, or maybe as far back as the twin horn elder. He had realized what he needed to do, and in that month, he had changed as he accepted everything.

She watched as he approached the burning sands sect arcanist who had so idiotically pointed at him.

The way he held himself, his stride one of utter confidence and a belief and hope in his ability. He deferred less to her now and no longer saw her as something unreachable.

This chapter upload first at NovelBin.comThe boy was dying, the man was being born.

'He'll make a fine leader one day.'

He had the qualities even if he didn't realize it, and the others had accepted their place at his side. Both held amazing potential, both in future power and position, though it was more uncertain for Misty.

She knew enough to know that the girl's bloodline and abilities were of a royal lineage. Whatever the artifact that had changed her had been, it must have been something very powerful.

A full transformation and an absolutely clean one at that were not a common occurrence. The change was often hard and one out of three died while it was more than likely the other two would join the masses.

Very rarely did one of common blood become a Crimson Lord or Scarlet Lady. They did not permit others to join their ranks so easily.

All three had challenges ahead of them, but somehow she had a feeling they'd get through it.

It was rather comedic to watch Aiden so easily overpower the arrogant arcanist, not just in physical and arcane power, but in sheer presence. Aiden probably thought that all the stares were because of his arcane power, but that wasn't it. It was his presence and everything else that drew gazes. In the masses of coal, he and the others were like shining diamonds.

Misty's features and hair attracted the gaze of many men, most leers, but there were those who looked at her like she was a beast. The smart ones.

There was Sandra whose hair was dark as night and eyes of emerald that would attract most eyes.

As Aiden caught a punch from the arcanist as though he were a child, Zirani felt her roommate stir. She turned her attention to the lost queen. The beast or whatever she was had been very quiet as of late, though from Aiden's memories, she saw that she had been adamant about purchasing something, a piece of glass that refracted light into different colors. Maybe that could use that to get her to talk or cooperate.

There had to be something as Zirani didn't really want to force the lost queen, even if she deserved it. She didn't think Aiden would go for it anyways. He had an extreme dislike of slavery or being forced to do something. He valued not just his own freedom, but freedom in general.

The burning sands leader cursed and Zirani held back laughter as he began to form a technique pattern. It was a condensed gout of flame, but as most techniques were in the plains, it was crude, wasteful, and took too damn long. Aiden could have killed him ten times over by now, but he just watched, his own amusement matching hers.

Once the arcanist was done he pushed a hand forwards, and Aiden caught it with his own, palm to palm. He had covered his own palm in a layer of igni wood, and Zirani enjoyed the shocked look on the arrogant arcanist's face as his technique did absolutely nothing.

"I think you should end this now," Zirani said mentally.

Aiden agreed and his knee rose and met the arrogant arcanist's private area. Zirani could imagine the winces on everyone's faces as the arcanist's face froze and he let out a sorry little whimper before he toppled.

Aiden yawned and turned to the others who quickly took a step back.

With the problem solved and the obstacle out of the way, Aiden and the others continued on to the hotel.

"How dull," The lost queen said, surprising Zirani. "He didn't even kill or maim him."

"You truly are a violent person you know that?" Zirani questioned.

"Better than a tree-hugging dryad."

Zirani rolled her eyes. "Oh, how original. If you truly think of me in such a way then you must be delusional."

The lost queen snorted. "I will admit you are powerful, but compared to me you are nothing."

"The only reason you could be me is because of your overwhelming power," Zirani replied. "Not because of skill. Anyone could do what you did if they had your power, most probably better."

"How dare you—"

"How dare I what?" Zirani waited. "You're trapped in here forever, there's no leaving. Why don't you do yourself a favor and stop with this childish act of silence, and ignorance? It's clear as day that you're hoping for something that isn't going to happen."

The lost queen didn't respond but Zirani could tell she was still listening.

"If you want more freedom then cooperate, who knows maybe you'll change, as unlikely as that is."

"I will not be a servant or puppet to that boy," The lost queen ground out. "And certainly not some wench that he can beckon whenever he wishes

"who said anything about being a servant or a puppet, and you know he is not that type of person," Zirani said. "I am his equal and who knows, maybe you could be one day. If you help him achieve his goals. We could force it from you."

The lost queen tensed and there was a tinge of fear.

"But we haven't. That should tell you something about us, mainly Aiden. We are not like you or the twin horn, remember that. Oh and if you try and force Aiden into a deal then consciousness and morality be damned, but I will do everything I can to have your personality and everything you are torn from your power. I know it is possible and with my mother's connections and sheer wealth it could be done."

There was a burst of overwhelming fear before everything went silent. The lost queen had blocked herself off.

'That should give her something to think about.'

Chapter 174

Chapter 174

"That was a low blow you know," Sandra said, suppressing a chuckle.

I rolled my eyes. "He deserved it. Pain and embarrassment. He can consider it his only warning. He tries something again, then I'll take a limb or his life. Those who I give a second chance will not get a third, I'm that type of man, I think."

"Brutal," Misty commented.

"Do you disagree?" I asked, genuinely curious. It did sound quite brutal, but people like that didn't understand logic and reason. Not like normal folk at least, and brutality was a necessity when it came to dealing with certain people. I wasn't in West Vale where people were kind and anger would only lead to shouting or maybe a fistfight, though rarely. That peaceful and simple place was long behind me, though I would return one day. I knew that in my soul. Mainly for my aunt as she was someone, I could never forget.

"I think I would've done worse," Misty said. "I'm sick of those types, and I have a feeling that's not that last we're going to see of him."

"Yeah." I sighed. "I don't want to go around just killing people out of hand though. If he tries something then he's dead."

"It's a judgment thing," Sandra added. "But yeah, I agree with Misty. I'm sick of those types."

"Well we're probably going to see more of them," I said then turned my attention to Zirani. "Unless I shouldn't?"

"You will," Zirani replied. "There are plenty of those types, some even in my court, though far less than some of the other influential families, certainly not like those in some areas of Grand York."

"Grand York?"

"It's a city, one of the largest," Zirani explained. "Its stretches on for miles and miles. Millions call it home. It used to be called Old York, but that didn't make sense once it started to expand even past the old borders, and it reclalimed and then past its old brilliance. From New York to Old York to The Grand city of York, or Grand York as most call it."

"Millions!" I exclaimed, unable to imagine it.

"As I've said so many times before, Aiden. The plains are a far cry from the lands beyond the scar. There will be much for you to see. Think of it like this, Aiden. The great scar cuts off a small piece of the continent, the northern plains, from the rest. The verdant court alone rules land comparable to if nor greater than the plains. The scope of things is much greater, this I cannot stress to you enough."

I nodded internally. "I understand."

Once we made it back to the hotel, the girls headed to the bedroom to try on more clothes while Zirani and I checked up on the rescued girls. Zirani had a constant feeling of things in the tree, apparently because of how she had made it, but she and I both thought it a good idea to check up.

We arrived in the bedroom and Zirani called Sofia. Apparently projecting her voice through the space in a unique way. The girls still were nervous around me, though only those from the brothel. The others from the raid of the warehouse who had not been violated were less scared, and many had openly thanked me. I had accepted of course, and the interactions had increased my anger at what was going on.

This chapter upload first at NovelBin.comThe artifact that we had destroyed wasn't the only one. That was clear, which meant things were still going on, though Zirani and I both assumed the brothels and anyone involved with them would be laying low for the foreseeable future. Not that it would help them when the expedition arrived. Even if there were none from Zirani's court, we would find the brothel and end the owners.

As Zirani manifested and left to join the girls in their fun, I decided that I wanted to have a chat with the lost queen, and I had just the way to get her to talk. I pulled the shard of glass from the ring and immediately I felt the lost queen awaken, her attention locked onto the strange shard. I moved the piece of glass closer to my eyes and just marveled at how the light refracted. It was odd because I knew it shouldn't, especially not in the way it was. It wasn't a simple mix, but separate beams of light, each a different color, and then there were the sparks which I hadn't noticed earlier. They were moving within the shard and I watched as their dimmed when I removed a finger and lit brighter with a golden hue the more of my skin was making contact.

"What is this?" I muttered aloud, directing the question at the lost queen.

"A shard of a gate mirror," The lost queen replied in a voice lacking any of its usual malice or annoyance for once.

"And a gate mirror is?"

"A teleportation device" The lost queen explained. "Though far greater than any other. It allows for travel to anywhere in reality, across any distance, any dimension, any world, if you have the correct coordinates or some other item."

"Oh."

Now it made more sense as to why she'd wanted me to buy it. "And you could get back to your world with this?"

The lost queen snorted, though I detected a hint of melancholy in the sound. "My world is long gone, and what you hold is only a shard. It's useless."

I sighed. "I thought we were past the lies. Do you truly think me so stupid, after all, you've seen through my eyes, all I've allowed you to see? You would not have had me buy this if it was useless and you do not seem the sentimental type. Actually, I'm surprised you even answered my first question."

"I'm bored," she replied. "And yes it has its uses, but they are well beyond you. You cant even control a spec of your divine power."

"Maybe I could if you helped me," I said.

"And what would I get in return?" she asked. "You will make no deals with me, and I will not offer it freely."

"I forget you are blind in some ways." I sighed. "You've seen how me and the others interact. If you help me then I will help you. There is no need for a deal. I can allow you to see my intentions through our bond if you wish."

"I do not!" she hissed.

I laughed, though it held no mirth. "Then what, what do you want, and don't speak of freedom. You know it is a luxury I will not grant you, not even a limited form."

"Not even after I saved your life?"

"We made a deal," I replied. "And I honored it, and don't forget that who knows what would have happened if I hadn't taken you into my core."

"I would have returned," she said, holding back anger and something else I couldn't recognize. Fear? Resentment?

I couldn't tell what it was directed at.

"Returned where?" I questioned.

She was silent and I shook my head. "I offer you a simple trade, without the need for bindings, which I know you want as a means of gaining leverage and control. That's not going to happen. If you're unwilling then maybe I should just stop this and see if a solution reveals itself once we get to the lands beyond the great scar. Maybe Zirani's people will know of a way."

To my surprise, there was a large burst of fear at my words.

"I…" I felt the lost queen do the mental equivalent of slumping her shoulders. "I need time."

With that, she shut herself off, and I slumped my own shoulders. Heavens, every conversation with her was a struggle. I was getting better at the verbal sparring, but that didn't mean I liked it. I like talking upfront without the need for hiding and masking things behind words. Flowery words and barbed insults were not my forte. It was that reason I was sort of worried about heading into Zirani's lands. I was excited for sure, but the way Zirani spoke of court politics and intrigue, filled me with a sense of dread.

I knew, however, that I would get over it, that either I would learn to maneuver or at the very least learn to understand and then get someone else to take care of it for me. I thought back to something Zirnai had once told me.

The mountain is tall, and you will come across many on your climb. Some will hinder and some will help. You will meet communities and groups, who at the time will seem like great obstacles, or places to rest, maybe even stay, but climb far enough ahead and with a simple kick you can send stone down to pelt them, to crush them. It was part of a larger quote but I got the meaning.

"Aiden?"

I felt Zirani's worry through our bond. "Are you ok?"

"Fine." I sighed. "Just had another chat with the lost queen."

"And?"

I mentally shrugged. "I think I might have gotten somewhere. I'm not sure. It's honesty seeming like we're going to have to do something else. She isn't going to cooperate, and even if she does, I doubt it will be easy or simple."

I felt another burst of fear from the lost queen before she put up a block.

"She's scared," I said. "I think she knows there is a way to get rid of her."

Zirani was quiet for a long moment. "There is, and we might have to, but we've still got till we get to my lands before we decided that. Maybe she will come around."

"Maybe," I replied. "Maybe."

Chapter 175

Chapter 175

The city was buzzing with activity the next day, more so than it had been as it was the day of the arrival. The day the expedition would arrive and trade would occur. The people of this city would trade what they could for the scraps those in the expedition chose to give me, though if what Zirnai said was true, some would act charitably.

The decorations were up and ready, flags, banners, and other decorates moved in the breeze and packed everyone as close as they could to the main road where the expedition would arrive where people, on the sides of the street to the tops of buildings and even lampost.

There were city guards keeping people back from moving into the street and any other areas, and low walls. The crowd was lively, and the joy and excitement in the air, lifted my mood.

It was a bright day, the sun hanging overhead, and the air a gentle breeze. It was probably rather hot for some people, especially in those packed crowds and I didn't want to imagine the smell but we didn't have to worry about it.

The four of us were stood on a rooftop not too far, but also not too close to the road. We would watch from a distance and then greet the arrivals once things had calmed down. Nothing good would come of causing a scene in the middle of a crowd this large. Not only would people get hurt, but it was just unnecessary. The expedition would be here for a week. Plenty of time for us.

"Zirani, what keeps this place defended from things in the great scar?" I asked, not having thought of it early. The city had walls but against the beasts of the scar, they would do nothing.

"There's a wall ten miles from the city, a wall that stretched towards the coast," Zirani explained. "It's not manned, and the only reason it's there is mainly to deter the weaker hearts that might actually venture out. Most won't come close to the plains because of the lack of aether. The moment they sense the drop, they'll turn back. The smallest however might move further in."

"Then the wall was built because of an attack?" Misty asked.

Zirani nodded. "On one of the first expeditions, where there was no wall or gates, a few weaker beasts trailed the expedition and in the time it took the arcanists from my land to end them, they laid waste to a good portion of the city. The weakest beasts of the scar could tear through this city and its arcanists with ease, like a man amongst insects. Sure, enough will kill it in the end, through sheer numbers, but it would take a lot. There is also the fact that some might be attracted to the strongest arcanists in the expedition."

"I see," I replied.

The great scar truly was going to be quite the sight and a dangerous one at that. I couldn't help but feel a bit excited, not that I was going to try anything stupid. I knew enough to know I wouldn't stand a chance by myself in the scar, and against most beasts.

"Look, I think that's them!" Sandra pointed to the distance and I followed her finger to see a cloud of dust rising in the distance. We were at the edge of the city where most people were, eager to get the first glimpse, but there were people lined up on every side of the road, all the way to the center of the city where the expedition would stop and be greeted by the mayor and other influential people.

"A few minutes away," Zirani said with a mix of relief and worry.

This chapter upload first at NovelBin.comI was confused until I sensed it. "Is that nature aether?"

Zirani nodded. "It seems my court has sent people."

"It's strong," Sandra murmured.

"They've sent a lord or lady," Zirani replied.

"And that's a bad thing?" I asked.

"Depends on who they sent," Zirani answered. "Either way they will listen to me. As princess and jungle queen, even as I am now, I hold authority."

"Zirani, will the mask work?" Misty asked worriedly.

Just before we had left the hotel, Zirani had drawn a very intricate array on Misty's back, far more detailed and complex than most I'd seen. Zirani had said it was required as the people from the expedition would spot simple masks and disguises from a mile away so we needed a better one.

"It will," Zirani assured. "Unless they do a deep scan or look too closely, but we won't let them. We need to make sure we get to my people before anybody else."

"And me?" Sandra asked.

"We will assess the situation," Zirani said with a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. We will get through this. You have my backing and that is no small thing. The green court is one of the, if not the largest provider of goods in the lands beyond the great scar. Food, furniture, and many other things. I do not think they would anger or insult me especially not after they find out what I've done for you. They have a debt to me."

Sandra relaxed. "Ok, thanks."

"Who else can we expect?" Misty asked.

"Maybe a few representatives from some minor families and sects, a few larger groups." Zirani shrugged. "Not many actually care for the expeditions, and it's not really a big deal to us. In fact, I know some people use it as punishment. Of course, some scholars have come for study and research, and who knows, there might be a few this time."

"Do people ever stay?" I asked.

She frowned. "Rarely, very rarely. There isn't really much of a reason to. Some groups will take people with them from the plains, though most don't realize just how weak they are compared to the people in my lands. The arcanist you taught a lesson to yesterday is weaker than most children in my lands, and he'd be seen as a joke. Who knows, however, sometimes a genius is found worth investing in. You for example. Even if you were at the first stage, if someone found you, they would immediately attempt to recruit you because of the archvein bloodline alone."

"This is it isn't it," I said. "There's no going back after this. We'll lose a lot of control."

Zirani nodded sadly. "It's the cost. I will hold authority, but not as much as I would have, and mostly because of my mother. It won't be until we get to her that things become clearer. I know we've had control over almost everything, but this is the way forwards. We need to cross the scar and I need to introduce you to my people."

I knew what she was saying was correct, but I was still worried. Either way though, I would adapt and continue moving forward, no matter what. I'd come this, done so much for this opportunity. My journey up the mountain had reached its end in the plains and to move higher, I needed the lands beyond the scar, I needed greater challenges because as hard as things had been, I had learned from each experience. The way to the top was not one of ease. It was a road full of obstacles.

As the expedition grew closer and closer, the crowd grew quieter and quieter, until only faint murmurs and muttering could be heard. Everyone stilled and waited as the clouds of dust grew closer and closer at a far faster speed than I expected. Whatever vehicles they were using must have been fast.

"Dune Surfers," Zirani said, having read my thoughts. "Or some similar vehicle, made for both rocky and sandy terrain. Sturdy things, and easily powered with an abundance of aether in the scar."

"No airships?" Misty asked.

Zirnai snorted "I thought I explained this in the tower. Trying to fly an airship in the scar is suicide. The sky belongs to things that you don't want to challenge or anger, though I imagine there are a few expensive and specially designed aircraft that could. Even then though, personally I wouldn't risk it. Traversal of the deep scar away from an expedition is for those who have reached the stage of aether ascension. I was close before… everything."

"Aether ascension?" That sounded intriguing.

She shook her head. "We are far from that conversation, Aiden."

"Will it be a good place to train, the great scar?" Sandra asked, surprising everybody. Usually, I asked that question.

"Most definitely," Zirani said. "Though there are some difficulties I'll need to explain later. For now, you might want to pay attention. They're almost here, and I wouldn't want you to miss the spectacle."

"I don't think we could miss it," Misty said.

I turned back and saw that the expedition wasn't far off now. They were close enough that I could make out faint shapes, and it seemed that they were slowing down. The crowd was now almost completely silent, though I could sense the excitement in the air like an electric charge.

I stood beside the others as the expedition grew closer.

"Here they come."

Chapter 176

Chapter 176

As the people of Evenord waited to welcome the expedition, across the city another gathering was occurring, though much smaller and secretive.

Within the large estate of the city's most influential family, around a large table sat a group of men, most dressed in expensive clothes while others wore armor and arcane robes. They varied from the young-looking to the old, but all were there for the same purpose.

"Is there any news of attack?" An older-looking man with reddish-brown hair asked. "I heard you sent out men to search, Lex, arcanists from your own personal guard, what of that as well?"

The man known as Lex sighed, his face a mask hiding the mix of anger, and weariness that threatened to boil over. His face, now wrinkled, and his aching body had reached its limit, and the past years had not been kind to him, and now another problem had presented itself at the worst possible time.

He clenched a fist and turned his cold gaze to the overweight merchant, Henry. "No. My men have found nothing and there have been no reports of an attack. Whoever destroyed the north brothel and the warehouse seems to have stopped for time being."

"That's good." Another man dressed in the robes of the burning sands sect leaned forward. "We have time to prepare."

"For what?" Henry asked. "Do you plan something?"

"Of course I do," the sect elder replied. "I have lost much profit, and whoever these people are, they will pay."

"Do you think your disciples could take them?" A tall dark-skinned man asked. He sat to Lex's right and held a relaxed posture, as though he wasnt in a meeting with the most powerful people in the city. "From what I've heard, they did quite a job of messing things up."

"They caught us off guard," the elder snapped. "That will not happen again. Why are you even here, Will?"

"I asked him to come," Lex announced and immediately the sect elder's face calmed. He may have been an elder of a powerful sect, but Lex was still the most powerful man in the city. At least, he would be once those from the expedition left.

This was the hardest time as one wrong move could bring down arcanists of a level they could not handle. Lex was delusion enough to think he and his forces could stand a chance against any from beyond the scar. If they wanted they could wipe this city out. He and the rest of them needed to lay low.

"You need to be careful," Lex said to the sect elder. "Do not cause any trouble that will attract attention."

The elder sniffed. "I know better than that. I am no fool."

Will snorted. "Could have fooled me."

The elder glared at will.

"What of the remaining stock?" Henry asked, eager to change the subject. He'd come here to talk profit and sales, not plans of attack.

This chapter upload first at NovelBin.com"We've moved everyone to the underground storehouse," Lex answered. "As for those amongst the families. Well, many have sent theirs to us for safekeeping. Only half a dozen or so remain with their buyers, and I imagine that won't last. By tomorrow we should have all the slaves we sold along with the newly bought stock that wasn't stolen.'

Henry sighed and wiped a hand across his sweaty brow. "Good, and I take it you have a plan to mitigate the drop in profit."

Lex smiled darkly. "I do indeed. These houses have too long grown from what I have given without any repayment. When the time comes, I will pull from them, just hard enough. I don't want to start a war in the city after all, though I will require some assistance. I have plenty of men, but I need more if I wish to cover the city and completely overpower any who stand against us."

"You think some will?" Will asked.

"The Hyde family and Krills have been eyeing me for a while now." Lex rubbed his temples. "I was planning something for them, but it seems it will have to wait. Nevertheless, if you give me what I need then they shall not be a problem."

"That's all fine and well." A short man who had been silent until now stood, his face obscured by a hood. "This all hinges on your ability to deal with the main problem, the people who caused this."

"I've already said I will handle it," the sect elder spat.

"Not alone," the hooded man replied. "Allow me and my knives to assist. We are far greater in stealth and keeping things quiet than you are, and don't forget it was my men who died watching that damn warehouse."

The sect elder was about to protest, but Lex cut him off. "A brilliant idea. You two shall work on that while the rest of us prepare. When the expedition leaves, then we move."

"Fine," the sect elder said reluctantly. "But I do not take orders from you."

The hooded man raised both hands and chuckled. "Fair enough."

"One last thing before we go," Henry said and he turned a critical eye to Lex who started back unblinkingly. "Is it true that one of the devices was destroyed?"paꪧda ᱅ovꫀl

Lex frowned. He hadn't yet informed them that one of the control devices had been destroyed.

"It was," Lex said, not seeing a point in lying. They would all find out eventually.

'Need to find the one who leaked it and skin him.'

"So they know then?" Will asked.

"Or they found out during the attack," Lex replied. "None of it matters anyway. The device is gone and we must look to the future. We will deal with then and go on as we have been for the past dozen years."

"Has it only been that long?" Henry asked.

The sect elder nodded. "We should have started this long ago. Just imagine how rich we'd be if we had started fifty years ago."

"No point in dwelling on it," Lex said. "This meeting is done. You all know your roles. Get it done, and we will meet when the expedition leaves."

As everyone left, Lex signaled for Will to stay. He had other business he wanted to speak off.

"I assume this has something to do with the elixirs?" Will asked after everyone else had left. "Need more?"

Lex shook his head and relax somewhat. Will was a friend and though he wouldn't turn his back to the man, he could trust him far more than the others in their little group. 'It has stopped working altogether. I need something else."

Will lost his relaxed posture and leaned forwards with a frown. "Are you certain? Those elixirs were expensive and powerful. Surely your disease cannot be that bad?"

"It's gotten worse." Lex sighed. "I need something stronger."

"I don't know of anything stronger," Will said and raised a finger just as Lex was about to speak. "Not in the plains at least, but there is another way, maybe."

"What way?"

Will stroked his chin and said nothing for a long moment before he snapped his fingers. "Tell me are you familiar with the green court?"

Lex frowned. "I am."

Will smiled and suddenly Lex realized what he meant.

"You think they might know of a solution?" Lex asked.

"Think? No, I know they know of a solution," Will replied. "What they hand to us are scraps yet far beyond anything we can produce here. They undoubtedly have a cure for your sickness. The only problem is getting their help. If they even arrive with the expedition. They don't come every time. It's a risk, but what other choice do you have?"

None, he knew, but making contact with those from the scar was something he did strictly through others and even then, only for minor things. He never pushed too far. Some before him had, and they'd learned the hard way just how large the difference in power was.

"Is that all?" Will asked. "I want to get back home, and partake in my girls before I send them over to the bunker."

Lex nodded, and leaned back as Will left, thinking over his options, his only option now. If the green court didn't arrive then he had a few years at most, but if they did then he would need to sue everything he'd learned to try and get their help. Trickery and force would do nothing so he would have to try something else.

Perhaps money? No, his crystals would be worthless to them, as would any of the usual things he might use for trade.

Maybe an artifact he had might pique their interest. He would have to play it carefully and slowly, but it might just work if luck was on his side, which it had been for most of his life.

As the most influential man in the city thought and schemed, his only hope was arriving, and little did he know that his bid for a cure would only lead to a quicker downfall.

Lex's luck was about to change for the worse.

Chapter 177

Chapter 177

The first vehicle that came fully into sight was not as odd as I had expected and essentially looked like a normal caravan except bigger and with a triangular plow-like object at the front. It was covered in enchantments, from basic camouflage to more complex things that seemed to have some sort of effect on the nearby ground. They were rectangular in shape for the most part except for the front, and while they seemed to have treads, they were currently floating along at a normal pace.

There were no obvious storage cells, but I was sure they were there.

My attention didn't remain on the vehicles for long as the riders and people of the expedition came into the view.

The first thing that caught my eyes immediately was the snake woman.

"A naga," Zirani said in answer to my unspoken question. "I had a naga teacher when I was at my aunt's court. They are dual affinity beasts of death and nature. Poison and venom experts. Most of what I know about poisons comes from them, though this one is young."

The naga had the upper half of beautiful women with porcelain skin and fine features. Flowing black hair framed a delicate face that would attract the gaze of any man. Her chest wasn't lacking either, but past her stomach was not a pair of legs, but a long serpent-like body covered in dark green scales. She wore clothing not unsimilar to Zirani's garb. Two straps of black cloth, covered her considerable breasts and wrapped around her torso. It left a lot of skin bare.

The crowd murmured and muttered which seemed to agitate the naga as she suddenly seemed to shift, and where once stood a snake woman, now stood a normal human woman. She had the same features but the lower half was now normal human legs covered by more cloth that wrapped around her legs and covered her private area. It gave off a superficial impression of clothing without actually hiding anything. The entire grab was very revealing and left a lot of bare skin on display

"Shapeshifting?" I questioned aloud.

Zirani nodded. "Minor shapeshifting. Naga have three forms. Full serpent, hybrid, and then this human form you see now. They can also manipulate their scales in the hybrid and human forms to use them as clothing and other such things."

"Why is she dressed like that?" Misty asked.

"Like what?" Zirani asked, genuinely confused. "It's fairly normal clothing for a naga, though I suppose it must be a surprise for those in the plains. Those in the lands of the green court are a lot less prudish."

"Good to know," I muttered, and thought back to how I'd sort of gotten used to the girls being in very little clothing. Hell, Zirani's normal clothing was quite revealing. I wasnt sure how I felt about the naga. She was beautiful, but the snake half was simply unlike anything I had ever come across.

The naga moved into one of the vehicles, and the crowd turned their attention to the rest of the expedition.

Most were normal humans in different colored arcane robes, but I saw a few in heavily enchanted armor carrying enchanted weaponry. In fact, all of them had enchanted clothing, which was probably normal and something I would have to get used to. In the plains, having enchanted clothing was a sign of wealth, but in the lands beyond the scar, it was probably normal and commonplace in most places.

"Well, well, well. That's unexpected."

I turned to see Zirani smiling, and I followed her gaze to a stunning woman who was seated atop one of the vehicles with one leg over the other and an imperious air about her.

This chapter upload first at NovelBin.com"Who is that?" Misty asked.

"The verdant lady, Aeverie," Zirani announced with a hint of pride in her voice.

"You know her?' Sandra asked.

"Know her?" Zirani chuckled. "I was the one who recommended her for the title. I didn't expect to see her here though. She's not a fighter and held little interest in the plains."

"Is she human?" I asked.

"Elven Fae," Zirani answered.

"Fae," I muttered as I stared down at her.

She was unearthly in a way, her beauty inhuman. Her fair skin was unblemished and had a glow about it while her dark brown hair seemed to blow in rhythm against an invisible breeze. Her body was attractive, to say the least, and after I squinted, I spotted pointed ears and got a look at her light blue eyes with rings of verdant green.

The men and even the women in the crowd stared at her in awe and lust.

That seemed to annoy the younger-looking man who was set next to her. He looked smililar to the fae, but less in a way. He had the same unearthly quality though nowhere near as strong as the lady, and his ears were only slightly pointed.

"He's a half breed," Zirani explained. "Half human and half fae it seems."

"He seems pissed," Sandra noted.

"That's because he's her consort," Zirani replied. "Or so it seems. He looks the jealous type."

"Consort?" I asked.

"It's complicated," Zirani said. "Best we save this talk of court politics for another time, perhaps on our way to my lands. For now, just think of him as her official lover, lower than a husband and partner but higher than some common courtesan or tryst."

I watched them for a few more seconds before I turned my attention to the others who were walking beside or sitting atop the vehicles. More were probably inside, and I was sure I'd get to see them later.

"Zirani, are those…"

Misty words trailed off and it took a moment to realize what had caught her attention. Atop one of the vehicles towards the rear was a woman with pale skin and coal-black hair, framing a face with two crimson eyes.

"Vampires," Zirani mused. "That's a surprise."

"Is this bad?" Misty asked, her fangs bared, and eyes glowing. I could feel the beast within her responding to this new threat and assessing things.

I sent calming thoughts to her through our bond.

"Could be," Zirani replied and I felt her help Misty as well, adding her efforts to mine. "It could also be a good thing. I can't tell if they are of a clan or house. We'll deal with it. take care not to stay around them too long. They will have a much easier time of seeing through the mask, though we might not need the mask if all goes well. If they've allowed vampires into the expedition then that means everyone down there accepted it and they should be no conflict or trouble if we reveal you."

That eased some of Misty's worry, but she still seemed on edge, not that I blamed her. This was the first time meeting another aether vampire. Zirani also talked about Misty's bloodline and how dominance was a major part of empire society.

Speaking of nerves, I noticed that Sandra's gaze had locked onto a group of dune surfers at the center of the procession. It didn't take long to understand why as my eyes fell upon a blond-haired arcanist with emerald green eyes and a dark robe.

"Is that a member of your clan?" I asked Sandra.

She nodded. "Probably from a branch family. He has the eyes, but not the hair."

"This isn't as large as I expected," Zirani admitted. "I saw off an expedition once and it was greater than this. Either they lost some along the way or not as many wanted to come this time."

"Is that a good or bad thing?" I asked.

"Both in some ways." Zirani shrugged. "Nothing we can do about it."

We continued to watch the procession as it moved further into the city, and I spotted a few more interesting people like what seemed to be a person with smooth bark-like skin, someone covered head to toe in bandages, and a man with horns and pitch-black iris's around a white pupil. I thought it was some sort of vampire at first until Zirani clarified it was a half-demon, a cambion to be more exact.

I had a ton of questions but kept them to myself for now.

Soon the procession passed us, and the crowd began to disperse, some following or leaving while others stood about and spoke to one another.

"Do we go now?" Sandra asked.

"Let's just slowly follow," I replied. "Let them get to the center of the city first."

Everyone agreed, and so we slowly made our way to the center of the city, going from rooftop to rooftop when we could. We didn't move as stealthy simply because most of the city was watching the procession and so the streets and other roads were very barren, with only a few people going about their business.

As we followed the procession, I knew one thing for certain. Things were about to get very interesting. There would be new things to see and experience along with new challenges and obstacles to face.

"We'll get through it, together."

Chapter 178

Chapter 178

The procession picked up speed as it grew nearer to the center of the city which was a circular plaza surrounded by buildings, the largest some sort of town hall, and I was pretty sure there was a head guard barracks, and what seemed to be some sort of medical center, though it looked far larger than any I'd ever seen.

Where on any other day the plaza might have been bustling with activity, today only a handful of people waited, one of which was clearly the mayor. His entourage must have been people of influence or those looking to trade what they could with those of the expedition.

I was confused at first when I tried to figure out where the expedition would be staying, but as the vehicles entered the plaza and began to make a perimeter, I released they would be staying in the plaza itself.

The crowds did not enter the plaza, and guards blocked off any entrances, though people still tried to get a look.

The four of us were on a rooftop of one of the buildings, awaiting the right moment.

Once the vehicles had stopped, a group of six made their way to meet the mayor while others began to conjure buildings. They didn't set up tents, instead, some had items they used that just made buildings pop up right then and there. All were of a higher quality than the actual buildings of the city, and the enchantments immediately caught my attention.

I could have spent hours staring, but my attention turned to the people. Now that they weren't surrounded by crowds, the passengers began to disembark and I saw a few more species I'd never encountered.

"An interesting bunch," Zirani commented, and her gaze was locked onto the horned figure.

"You know him?

She shook her head. "Not of him, but of his clan. He is from the Sevire clan. They go by other names as well, the forlorn, the outcasts. Notice how all those with their clan symbol are not human or possess some sort of unique trait or are of a less than liked race."

"Like her." Sandra pointed to the person covered in bandages.

Zirani turned and frowned for a second before a genuinely shocked look came to her face.

"What is it?" I asked.

"A lesser revenant." She whistled. "A type of undead, a powerful type. It's not something you see every day, especially not here in the plains, though I suppose the same could be said for the rest."

"When you say undead, you mean as once alive?" Sandra asked.

Zirani shrugged. "For the most part. Some are simpler than others. A zombie is just someone brought back via a mix of death and life essence, and they possess unique properties. A revenant on the other hand is usually a mix of souls, essences, and who knows what else. They are usually used as powerful weapons in conflicts, created by necromancers."

This chapter upload first at NovelBin.com"Necromancers?"

"A type of arcanist who specializes undeath, death, and the soul," Zirani explained. "Also life, but that depends on the necromancer."

"They're evil?" I questioned.

"They can be," Zirani replied. "Just like every other type of arcanist can be. You, Misty, actually have the potential to become a necromancer, if you wish."

"I'll have to think about it," Misty replied.

"Zirani, what are those?" Sandra asked as she pointed to two gruff-looking men who stood beside a shorter man with a bald head.

"Lycans," Zirani answered. "Specifically bear lycans and the man in between seems to be a scholar."

I thought back to the few times Zirani had spoken of lycanthropes. Another hybrid race like vampires, though more beast-like in a way and had shape-shifting abilities.

We waited as those from the expedition got settled, and there were a few times when I was worried we would be spotted, but Zirani assured us that none of us would stand out, not with the crowds so close, and Misty's mask. There was also the fact that we weren't that close and the expedition probably wasnt on high alert for obvious reasons. They could destroy this city if they wanted and wouldn't be anything the people could do. To try and attack the expedition would be plain suicide so they had nothing to get worried about.

The conversion between the mayor and who I assumed were the leaders of the groups from the expedition seemed to go well, though the mayor and his entourage were far more excited than those from the expedition, probably because they were getting more. At one point in the conversion, the mayor had seemed very worried but that had changed after one of the people from the expedition had said something

The mayor and his group bustled off, probably to sort everything out while the expedition settled in.

"Now is best," Zirani said, and pointed to a section of where those from the green court had set up, "We won't need to sneak past anyone, though you're going to need to repeat what I tell you so we can get past any guards and such."

"Code phrases?" I questioned.

"Sort of," Zirani replied as she turned to Misty and Sandra. "You two just remain quiet until the time comes."

Both ladies nodded and so we made out way across the rooftops until we got to the building closest to the green court's area. We climbed down and after only a few seconds of walking towards it, two guards approached us casually, neither looking worried.

"What business do you have here?" A taller-looking man with large eyes and bluish skin asked. His teeth were pointed and triangular and his limbs were very long, far longer than a human's.

Zirani sent me the words mentally and I spoke them.

Both guards straightened and then immediately frowned, looking at me in confusion.

Zirani began speaking to me mentally and I repeated everything she said. The guard's eyes grew wider and wider until one raised a hand. "Who are you?'

"I need to speak to your lady," I replied. "I shall explain everything to her. I mean no harm."

The guards looked at each other and something unsaid seemed to pass between them before one took up a position next to me. "I will take you to her."

I nodded gratefully. "Thank you."

Both guards were at the 4th level with two cores which Zirani said was unusual but not unheard of. Both were probably minor guards and had one core at iron and the other at hydro.

"Something is off with this expedition," Zirani said. "A lot smaller than normal and the quality of the guards isn't what I expected. They're arent bad, just average. It seems that interest wasnt as high this time around."

The guards led us to a large building in the center which was made out of reddish wood and ornately decorated. Flowers and other types of foliage covered the area the green court took up and the door to the building was normal. It was hundred of vines that seemed to connect and tangle together to create a beautiful pattern. The guards waved a hand and spoke a word which caused the vines to untangle and retreat into the sides of the opening.

The guard took the lead and we followed into a spacious room that was bigger on the inside, similar to Zirani's tree, though not as large.

Aeverie was sat reclined on a chair that seemed to be made up of floating flowers, oddly enough, and behind her was the young man from earlier, his hands on her shoulder, massaging. He was a black-haired and tanned youth. He looked to be about the same age as me, maybe a little older with a muscular build. He had eyes the color of dark leaves.

Both he and his lady turned to look at the guard as he approached.

This close, the lady Aeveire looked even more stunning, with a face straight out of a fairytale, and a tight dress that hugged a very attractive body made up of curves and smooth edges. It was a perfect mix of athletic and sensual.

"That's all fae," Zirani said. "They are all beautiful. In fact, you should expect those in the lands beyond the scar to look far more pleasing to the eye than those in the plains mainly to the abundance of aether, easier access to healing, the greater variety of items like, alchemy products, cosmetic and beauty products among other things What only the wealthy could afford here is very affordable and accessible to most beyond the great scar, and at a better quality. Honestly, most of the time just being healthy improves beauty by a lot."

"Lady Aeverie, I have someone to see you." The guard bowed low.

Aeverie turned her gaze towards me and raised an eyebrow. "And on what business?"

Her voice was cold for the most part yet held a musical quality to it, which definitely wasn't normal.

I felt Zirani smile inwardly. "Oh, little Aeverie, still so cold. Let me handle this, Aiden."

I shrugged and took a step back as Zirani manifested. It was slower this time and I had a feeling she was doing it on purpose.

Aeverie's eyes had narrowed at my shrug but now they grew steadily wider as Zirani fully formed. When my lover was stood there, arms crossed, the lady Aeverie stared for a long moment as did the guard and consort who both gawked.

"Hello, little Aeverie." Zirani's voice was warm and soft.

"Elder sister, is… is that really you?" She stood and slowly made her way over, her eyes growing watery. When she was within touching distance she raised a hand, and Zirani grasped it. Aeverie gasped and then tears began leaking from her eyes as Zirani pulled her into a hug.

Chapter 179

Chapter 179

I turned to the guard and then the consort. "I think it's best the two of you leave."

The guards nodded and as he left muttered, "the verdant princess."

The consort shot me an annoyed look, but then his lady waved a hand, and reluctantly, he left, his eyes on mine as he did, almost daring in a way. I snorted and shook my head which seemed to piss him off, though he left before anything occurred.

Zirani and Aeverie spent a long moment embracing each other before they separated.

"How?" Aeverie was clearly in shock.

"That is a long story," Zirani replied. "And one for later. First, I'd like you to meet the reason I'm still alive."

She motioned to me. "This is Aiden Hawke, and thanks to him and his archvein bloodline I survived."

Aeverie seemed confused and then her eyes widened even further than before. "You… allowed yourself to be bonded?"

"It was that or die," Zirani answered.

"I see.' Aeverie looked overwhelmed. "Well, I'm glad you made it. Your mother and the court are going to be ecstatic when they hear of this."

"I'm sure." Zirani smiled. "I take it that means we can join you?"

"Of course," Aeverie answered. "You and your bonded."

The way she said bonded made me instantly realize that she wasn't a fan, which I guess shouldn't have been a surprise. It was clear this woman looked up to Zirani and from what Zirani had said, a lot of people weren't going to be happy with the bond. At least she understood that it had to have been done though.

"Who are the others?" Aeverie asked, her gaze turning to regard Misty and Sandra.

"Well, Misty is a vampire of a powerful bloodline, and Sandra is the lost daughter of the main family of the Umbrin clan."

Aevrei turned back to Zirani. "You jest?"

Zirani shook her head. "This is no falsehood or joke, sister. Misty is under my protection and I have cared for and looked after both her and Sandra. I and my bonded are the reason they are here. I will need to speak to the Umbrin clan representative, and I would like you to be there as well. I am not as I once was."

This chapter upload first at NovelBin.comAeverie nodded slowly. "I understand. You have my aid sister, in any way."

Zirani pressed a hand to Aeverie's cheek and the fae women relaxed into the touch. "Thank you, sister. There is much we must discuss."

"Indeed," Aerie replied. "All of our group will know of your arrival thanks to the guard and my consort. If you'd like I can have someone show your bonded around?"

Zirani turned to me with a questioning look.

"I'm up for that."

I already knew everything Zirani was going to say and anything knew she could just tell me later, not to mention that I'd rather meet and get to know the people I would be traveling with than stay and have a long talk.

Aeverie snapped her fingers, and her consort appeared in the doorway. "Julian, show the princess's friends around and get them settled. Be nice, they will be traveling with us on the return journey."

Julian bowed low. "Of course my lady."

"Wait!" Zirani walked up to Misty and grasped one of her hands. It took me a moment to realize she was getting rid of the mask as there was no longer a need for it. As she had said early, if vampires were with the expedition then that meant everyone had been ok with it and Misty wouldn't be attacked on sight.

Zirani stepped back once it was done. "Now you can go."

Julian turned and gave us a clearly forced smile. "If you three would follow me."

The three of us followed him out of the building and through the area as he took us on a quick tour. His words were short and full of fake cheer as pointed out the obvious as though we were children. It was clear he didn't want to be doing this and was trying to rush it.

The green court area was made up of beautiful structures, most made up of wood and types of plant matter with beautiful decorations, patterns, and carvings of a wide assortment of vibrant and dark colors. Everything had been set up very quickly in a matter of seconds, yet I knew it would take a long time for arcanists of the plains to replicate this. If they even could. The flowers and other sorts of greenery were everywhere, but not in an overwhelming chaotic way. The ground was covered with soft grass and flowers lined the pathways between buildings and smaller areas while trees and other plants were spread about evenly, yet in a way that made it feel natural.

I would have spent more time taking things in if our guide didn't rush past everything.

I was a bit annoyed, but I was also rather amused at his clear annoyance. I had to hold back laughter when Sandra made several comments, clearly trying and succeeding, in getting under Julian's skin. I didn't particularly care about him and would be calm until provoked. A glare and a few curses meant nothing to me, but if he pushed it then I would show him that just because I had been born in the plains, didn't mean I couldn't kick his ass.

"I think that's enough," I said in a firm tone. "Your guidance has been much appreciated."

My words may have been filled with sarcasm, but he ignored it and bowed before walking off, clearly angry.

"How pleasant," Misty muttered.

"Don't mind him," a deep and cheerful voice commented and we all turned to see a large cat person walking toward us. He was covered in a layer of grey fur with a few blotches of orange and had a cat-like face with slitted eyes and whiskers. He was large and not just his height. Not only did he look to be close to seven feet, but also had a rather large belly which was odd as his arms and legs looked muscular.

I realized I was staring and quickly lowered my gaze. "Ermm, sorry."

"No don't worry," he said. "I used to it from those who've never met my kind."

"What are you?" Sandra asked.

"I am Mowkrin, a type of fae, though many other types of fae don't acknowledge our kind as such," he explained. "Most just think of us as another beast race."

"Why not?" I asked.

"Well we did not exist before the calamity," he replied. "We were created as a product of the aether. It's rather hypocritical if you think about it. All races were changed and you could argue are not the same race now. That's fae for you, though. I'm Garth, a pleasure to meet you."

We introduced ourselves, and I shook his large paw. He had a firm yet not crushing grip.

"Say, rumors have abounded since your arrival." He leaned in and lowered his voice though anyone nearby could probably still hear it. "Is it true you came with verdant princess, Zirani? Is it true that she lives?"

I nodded. "It is."

He smiled, revealing sharp canines. "Well, it seems this trip is more exciting than expected, or should I say now it is exciting as it most certainly was not before."

"Is travel through the scar not exciting?" I asked.

Garth shook his head. "Not really, at least not with the path we traveled. There were a few perilous moments, but for the most part, it was just the occasional minor beast attack and a lot of heat."

"Say, Garth would you mind showing us around?" I asked. "Our last guide was rather dull and—"

"An ass," Sandra finished.

"Julian doesn't get along with anyone except the lady Aeverie," Garth replied. "He's a very jealous person, and so often thinks himself above certain tasks. He's gotten into several fights, and is the reason the lady Aeverie is even here."

"He is?" I frowned. "Why?"

"He is her consort," Garth replied. "He represents her, and well, he got into some trouble and the lady Aeverie was given the duty of leading the expedition as punishment for not being able to control and properly teach her consort. You see, Julian is new to the court. He spent most of his life going from place to place until he got into some trouble and had to serve time as payment. That's where the lady Aeverie came across him and took notice of his latent talent and abilities, alongside his clear fae heritage. She paid off his debt and the rest is history."

"Why does she still keep him around if he's caused her this much trouble?" Misty asked.

Garth shrugged. "Many have said the same thing. We can only speculate until she herself reveals something if she ever does. Now, you want a tour?"

I nodded. "If you would be so kind."

"I shall," he said with a laugh. "I've nothing better to do, and the three of you seem like good company. I can always introduce you to some of the others."

Chapter 180

Chapter 180

[In the next few chapters we're going to explore more charecter povs and there is going to switching back and forth between some. Don't worry it won't become a common thing. This will just help set things up, and once we get into the great scar and beyond, it will return to mainly being Aiden.]

Zirani had not felt such nostalgia in a while, but when Aiden had been walking through the green court area, she had felt it. It wasn't home, but she recognized everything, and seeing races other than humans was a blessing, not that there was anything wrong with humans, but she missed being around dryads, fae, and other races.

The expedition was not as large as she had expected. Nowhere near as large as it had been the one time she had seen it off, but nevertheless it was still here and with people from the green court. Things would be far easier from here on, at least until they crossed the scar and had to deal with the politics and all that would come once it was widely known that she was still alive.

She felt bad for Aiden, especially since he had never been in such situations and wouldn't be used to court politics and maneuvering. Despite the fact she knew he could and had the necessary intelligence to succeed at anything, he was more of an upfront type of person.

She would have to teach him on the journey across the scar. He would need to know at least the basics so he didn't put his own foot in his mouth. Even with all of the potential problems to come, she was happy.

Happy that she was around her people once more, happy that she would be heading home, with her bonded lover.

"You look happy, sister," Aeverie commented as she waved a hand. The flowers that made up the chair dispersed and reformed into two smaller seats and a table. The table was a larger flower and atop it sat a pitcher of purple liquid and two ornately carved cups which she recognized as being made from crystal silk.

"Why wouldn't I be happy," Zirani said as Aeverie lifted a finger and both cups filled with the purple liquid. The liquid in the pitcher went down as the cups filled, and if Aiden had been here, he would have been very confused.

The fae possessed a strange and unique form of aether, a mix of dream, life, and colorless aether. It allowed them to do much, and she hadn't discovered its inner working until far later in her life, thought inner workings might have been an overstatement. There was still much she didn't know or understand. The fae did not reveal their secrets so easily and even when they did, it took a bit to understand.

Zirani savored the drink which was a mix of fruits, some of which she recognized, but some of which she didn't. It must have new sorts. The green court was constantly developing new foods, and products.

They sat in silence for a long moment, before Zirani finally asked, "So what happened after I… left."

Aeverie who had not taken a sip, only swirled the liquid in her glass, sighed. "It was chaos, sister. After news of confirmation of your death, or apparent confirmation now, your mother went into a fury the likes of which few have ever seen. The sect the spatial arcanist who attacked you was from, is gone. Wiped off the face of the map. No one dares utter their name in her presence."

Zirani wasn't surprised. Her mother loved her children, and they had always been close, closer than most.

'I'm her favorite, even though it took me so long to admit it back then.'

This chapter upload first at NovelBin.com"Her favored daughter dead,' Aeverie continued. "She realized that she had been too lenient and too lax. The increase in attacks and conflicts, in people pushing and cheating the court. Your mother raised a force, and led by your sisters and many lords and ladies, alongside others, began setting things right. Borders were pushed, old lands and territories reclaimed. We began to push back and barred many from trading with us if they did not apologize and seek forgiveness for past actions."

Zirani stared down at her drink, feeling both happy and guilty. She had always spoken to her mother of pushing back and of how they were growing too lenient. She was glad her supposed death hadn't just caused problems, though imagining the grief her mother had gone through, made Zirani's heart ache."

"It worked." Aeverie leaned back. "We reclaimed a lot, and even gained some. Those who had been in conflict with us at the time either ran or took a step back. The one demonic incursion that occurred didn't last for more than an hour and it was one of the few times, the demons retreated. Your death sparked a lot and well, the green court has never been better."

"I'm glad," Zirani said. "How is my mother?"

Aeverie took a sip from her drink. "When I last saw her, she was recovering, but also still grieving your loss. You were her favorite, don't try to deny it as you once did. The favored daughter, the prodigy, the princess who many thought would succeed her mother. You would have, you might still… if you leave the boy."

Zirani's gaze sharpened and her sadness morphed into cold controlled anger. She met Averie's eyes and held her stare. "Aiden is my bonded and my lover. He and I are together."

Aeverie scoffed. "Be serious, Sister. He is just a human, an average one at that. I must say I am impressed at the level he is at, but it is clear that it is because of you. Do not get me wrong, sister. He will be handsomely rewarded and welcomed, but he is not worthy of you, no one is, but if there was ever to be, it should be a prince, a king, or a lord of some kind. I know your mother was thinking of trying to get you to marry the merkin prince, what of that union?"

Zirani calmed herself. Once she might have thought the same way, but not anymore. She loved Aiden, and no matter what she said Aeverie wasn't going to change her mind, so she would have to show her.

"Give me your hand, sister." Zirani moved a hand across the table. "I love him, but I know you don't care for that, so allow me to show why else he is worthy."

Aeverie seemed hesitant but then grasped Zirani's hand.

"I will form a link, and send over a few memories," Zirnai said, and Aeverie nodded.

If it was anyone else but Aeverie, or at least, almost anyone else, she would not be doing this, but she knew her younger sister and knew the last thing Aeverie would do was betray someone. Zirani had raised her, helped teach her, and had been the one to rescue her from that fire all those years ago. That burning blue titan had done much harm and created many orphans.

Once the link was formed, Zirani began to send over a few bits of information, not everything, but just enough. She kept the information of the ki core secret but showed some information about his divine bloodline. She trusted Aeveire, but no need to be hasty and show everything, that would just be stupid. She only needed to show enough that she would stop with talk of being him being unworthy.

She enjoyed the look on her sister's face as her eyes grew wider and her mouth dropped open.

"What… what is he?" Aeverie asked.

Zirani shrugged. "I've no clue. He is part human at the very least, but also something else, divine in nature."

"Did you plan this?" Aeverie asked.

Zirani held back a chuckle. "How could I have? This was all chance that he and I met, that we fell for each other and made it here."

Aeverie's disdain for Aiden had now changed to interest, and Zirani knew that Aiden would be getting propositioned and that a conflict would arise between her sister's consort and him. Zirani would have to explain certain customs to Aiden, and she'd find it amusing when Aeverie realized that Aiden wouldn't be so easily fooled or seduced. Sure, he could be distracted by beauty but when it came to anything further than looking, he took things seriously. Aiden's care and love for her and the others was greater than any simple lust she knew.

"Who is the half breed?" Zirani asked.

Aeverie's eyes cleared from their thoughts and she turned to Zirani. "He is my consort."

Zirani gave her sister a blank stare and Aeveire sighed. "Fine, fine, sister. In truth, the only reason I keep him around is because of his usefulness in my projects, and he's decent in bed."

"I take it he thinks he's in love and you don't care to tell him?"

Aeverie smiled. "You know so well sister."

"He's a jealous one," Zirani said. "He won't take kindly to Aiden's presence."

"Scared for him?' Aerie asked.

Zirani snorted. "I showed you enough that you should know Aiden could handle him."

Aerie nodded. "You trained him well, and in such a short time."

"Why is it that there are so few this time?" Zirani asked, remembering her thoughts from earlier. "I don't think it's ever been this small."

"There was no interest." Aeverie shrugged a shoulder. "A few came this time, but things haven't just been chaotic in our lands you know. The vampires have been trying to get a place on the Grand York council. There was a large-scale sect war that ended badly and the nearby nations had to scorch the land after a wild undead outbreak. I believe things have calmed down there now and the lands are well, but it's not just that."

"It might have something to do with the clash, but that is still two years away," Zirani mused. "Although it's not like any of it is unusual. There have always been periods of greater chaos and there's always a war or conflict going on somewhere."

"True enough," Aeverie replied. "Well, I think we should move onto the topic of the others you brought."

Zirani nodded and focused on Aiden. "Give a minute. I need to call someone."