Omega's Rebirth-Chapter 915: Your Love Again ()

The descent of the sun below the horizon saw Garron finally evacuate the camp he’d made out of the hidden archives, relocating his studies to a hall Everon had reluctantly prepared for the binding process.

"I leave you two alone for what? A few hours? And I return to find the Lord of Onyx Scales, in an induced coma." Everon grunts, shaking his head in disbelief. "Jian is not going to like this, I tell you. He won’t."

Neveah heaved a sigh, brushing the stray strands of hair from Xenon’s forehead.

The first part of the procedure required Xenon to forgo his consciousness. And with the aid of some herbs and a little magic, Neveah had achieved it.

What came after, however, was the hard part. One she’d only just been informed she couldn’t be present for.

"Will he..." She trailed off, her voice hoarse, "be alright?"

Garron nodded slowly, though he didn’t look all that convinced himself.

"Xenon was right to say he is the most suitable host we have any hopes of finding." Garron admitted, "His constitution fits the requirements perfectly. And if all things go well, he will awaken a magic wielder, rivalling your arcane."

"And if not?" Everon presses. "If he never wakes up again?"

Neveah winced visibly. Not for the first time, she wondered if she’d made an impulsive decision agreeing to this.

Garron hesitated, "Let’s not think the worst. I will halt the procedure if there is even the slightest indication that his body cannot take any more."

"But do not forget this is what he wanted. What we can do now, is trust him."

Everon exhaled sharply, "I will prepare a remedy, just in case. And summon Menarx back to Keep grounds."

"He will have a lot to say about this madness. And I do not care as to why you both seem to be avoiding each other. But Creator knows we need a King’s guard resident within the Keep."

Neveah didn’t argue.

___________

A desk heaped with petitions kept Neveah occupied late into the night, and subsequently into the early hours of the morning.

The door to the study was opened, drawing her attention.

"Veah." Estelle came in with Dante trailing behind, carrying yet another pile of petitions. "Another batch came in. But if you ask me, I think you should get some rest. You look like you haven’t slept in days."

Dante placed the petitions down. "Elle is right. You need your rest, Your Grace. At this rate, you might harm your health."

Neveah exhaled a sigh of exhaustion, lifting a hand to rub her temple. "The fodder grooves have faced repeated forlorn attacks."

"The fourth squadron is burning through their supplies quicker than we anticipated. The attack last night took down a few tents. We need to organise supplies and send them out as soon as possible..." Neveah murmured, handing Dante a scroll she’d worked on, "The dragon lords don’t need much food, but the mage battalion accompanying them still require sustenance. We can’t have them worrying about anything else but the battle."

"That’s a list of what’s needed. Send it down to the supply hall and have them prepare adequately. I want the supplies out before noon. There’s a few things you might need to source from the citadel..." She ran a hand through her hair, "I sent word to Rodrick already. He’ll pass you a more detailed outline."

"Also, have the armoury prepare some explosives. Verothrax requires it... for whatever reason."

"Veah..." Estelle pressed, "Rest. We have a very efficient war council, you made sure of that. The frontlines will all be well supplied."

Neveah nodded. "You’re right."

"Menarx?" She asked,

"He will be back from the night patrol within the hour. I will be leading the next shift. I will have him report to you as soon as he returns." Dante relayed, 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

"I appreciate you both." Neveah murmured, her tone sincere, "I mean, there’s Fort Blazed and Scabbard caught up in this, yet you choose to stay here."

Estelle shook her head, "Fort Blazed has my father. Scabbard has Dante’s father and brother. I’ll be damned before I leave you to face this chaos by yourself, Veah."

"This is where we are needed. Your Grace’s safety is our priority. And my father agrees." Dante added. "So be rest assured, and go get some sleep."

Neveah nodded, rising to her feet. "Check in on Zephyroth at the rider’s academy for me, would you?" She asked Estelle,

Estelle nodded, "Definitely."

Neveah headed out of Imagor’s study, making her way to the stairwell leading up to the first level.

She’d just turned the corner when a muffled thud drew her attention to the landing platform.

"Veah."

"Narx?" Neveah asked in surprise as he made his presence known. "I was just asking about you. They said..." She trailed off as she noticed the grim expression on his face. Her heart took a dive.

"What happened?" She asked, scanning his form from head to toe, "Were you attacked? Are you hurt?"

Menarx shook his head, "It’s not me. It’s Verothrax."

She winced and turned, heading back to the stairwell. "How bad?"

"They were attacked by great orcs." He relayed, keeping pace with her, "Verothrax was shot out of the sky. He crashed. Eidon and Conrad are bringing him home as we speak."

"Everon." She muttered, "Let him know it’s an emergency. I want all the healers available ready to receive him the minute he’s here."

"I have." Menarx said, "But someone will need to take his place."

Neveah paused in her step. Dread filling her. "You mean... you’ll be leaving for battle? But Everon says you’re not nearly ready to command a battle."

Menarx pursed his lips. "I’m the most experienced battle lord amongst the Keep dragons."

"I should have been there. Not him."

Neveah ran a hand through her hair. Frustration curled within her and the words were out before she could stop them. "I can’t get any of you to stay by my side, can I?"

Menarx’s gaze softened. "Veah... that’s all I ever wanted. To be by your side."

She bit down on her bottom lip. The sting kept her rooted, prevented her from spiraling.

"But I... failed you. And I will spend the rest of my life atoning."

She lifted her gaze to him again, "I don’t want your atonement, Narx. I want you to be happy...safe."

"Don’t you get it? I have never held anything against you..." She trailed off, "I couldn’t if I tried."

"I know." His lips stretched into a pained smile, and he pulled her into his arms, stroking her hair gently, "I know."

His smelled just as she remembered. And he felt just as warm...

"Veah... Before I leave, I want you to know that I love you."

The weight over her heart grew heavier, "Narx... I..."

"I love you, Neveah." He insisted, pulling away so he stared into her eyes, "I always have. I never stopped. Not once."

He winced in guilt, "The truth is, I was more tortured by this truth."

"I always knew deep down, that I would overcome the severing... because my heart was still yours."

"And I couldn’t live with the guilt. I thought living meant failing her. That it would prove what everyone already thought but never said... that it was already too late for she and I, right from the start."

By her, Neveah knew he meant Adrienne.

"So I wanted to die."

"Narx..." Neveah breathed shakily,

"I know I’m wrong now." He muttered, "The one my heart beats for is right here, why should I die?"

She was speechless. And so she just stared up at him...

"So have faith in me, Veah. I will return to you. I will return... and ask you, in the presence of all, to give me your love again." His tone was earnest, "To return to me, that piece of you... that’s always been mine."

He leaned forward, placing a kiss on her forehead. And when he turned, he didn’t look back.