When we reached the city, darkness had settled in. The sky was clear and stars twinkled brightly above. All throughout the forest city yellow light glowed dim, shining through windows and from the ends of branches like hundreds of little lamps. These lights weren’t from any bulbs, but from the plants themselves. I marveled at the sight, still adjusting to these scenes I once considered commonplace.

Elven soldiers patrolled the city streets, but only a few residents remained outdoors. Everything was quiet, save for the nightly choir of chirps, squeaks, chitters, and howls. The atmosphere was unreal and the glow of the violet moon only served to intensify its ethereal effect.

As we approached the palace, I noticed Vorlin standing at the end of Taryn’s bridge—she was there too, standing motionless as ever. Vorlin looked agitated and kept sipping from a flask that he shoved inside his dark brown cloak as soon he noticed us.

His thick eyebrows arched above his piercing blue eyes and as he slid his hand back out of the cloak, I noticed the gleam of a green blade strapped to his waist. He was on edge, an unsettling thought given what I’d learned from Silvia earlier.

“Where the hell have you two been?” He growled, crossing his arms over his broad chest. His voice carried an edge that chilled me to my core.

“Just here and there,” I replied with a shrug.

Vorlin snorted.

“That won’t be good enough. You’ve been gone for hours; You’re covered in—is that shimmer gloss?” Rolling his eyes and shaking his head, he continued without giving us a chance to answer. “The Queen has half the city guard out searching for you, and you come back here casually like giggling little brats.”

Before I could respond, Lumia stepped forward.

“It’s my fault. I wanted to remind Silvon of how things were before…” her voice trailed off as she looked at the ground mumbling something I couldn’t make out.

Sighing deeply Vorlin dropped his arms and took a more relaxed posture. “Whatever the case, your parents won’t be pleased.” He turned and began crossing the bridge to the castle. “Come on, let’s not keep them waiting any longer.”

I mouthed a thank you to Lumia before following Vorlin.

We were taken to a sitting room where my mother and High Lord Andrhei were waiting, just as Vorlin said. My mother sat cross legged on a long sofa while the High Lord stood near a window. He wasn’t looking out, just standing there silently and holding his head high, as if he were above everything.

After entering, I glanced at my mom who gave me a reassuring, but somewhat concerned smile.

Andrhei turned towards Lumia and bowed slightly, but ignored me completely. Not that he really needed to acknowledge me… From his perspective, I was probably equal to dirt. Dragons only acknowledge power and so far, it seemed I’d left a weak impression.

I wondered how my mother had managed to earn his respect and maintain an alliance between our people, especially after my uncle destroyed Vivi.

Vorlin backed out of the room with a bow, then shut the door.

“Is this truly what you desire?” Lord Andrhei glowered, “To remain bonded with this…elf?”

His words were charged with vitriol and malice, but Lumia answered simply and calmly.

“Yes.”

“Why do you insist on disgracing our race with this bond?” The High Lord asked.

“The only disgrace is that your ego prevents you from evaluating him properly!” Lumia snapped, “Given enough time, I think Silvon could even surpass you.”

Andrhei laughed off the suggestion. “There hasn’t been an elf in eons that came close to the power we dragons possess. The boy would need at least two lifetimes before he could even think of competing with me.”

His entire statement was an over exaggeration, but his point remained, and it seemed fair.

Lumia shook her head. “You’re wrong… but what does my opinion matter to you? I’m sure you’ve already decided how you want to handle things.”

The High Lord nodded.

“I will hear you; but father, if you give me an ultimatum, I will choose Silvon, even if it means abandoning my home.”

I wasn’t sure what Lumia saw in me or why she was so adamant about us remaining bonded, but seeing her passion made me feel bad for having a less firm stance.

Her words gave me courage and strength, but they must’ve hurt Lord Andrhei because he winced before asking, “and you’re sure this isn’t just to escape the marriage proposal of Borin? You don‘t actually love this elf, do you?"

"Of course I do," replied Lumia firmly, "but also…" she glanced briefly at me "…he saved me from Vale while you couldn’t even get through his dark barrier!" Then she looked straight ahead again. “Silvon has already proven himself strong.”

The horrible scene returned to my mind as my stomach turned. Bile rose into my mouth but went back down when I swallowed.

Queen Riona and Andrhei exchanged a brief gaze before Andrhei spoke again. "I know very well how the elf stood up to his uncle. But what happened then was a fluke. He was likely aided by their eidolon as the last remnants of her spirit faded."

Lumia opened her mouth but Andrhei held up a hand to stop her. "Silvon can demonstrate his worthiness in the next Proving. If he emerges victorious, I'll reconsider your request... otherwise, Lumia, you can forget it. Your future lies elsewhere. As dragon lord, I forbid any further discussion of this topic until the boy has proved himself. Do you understand?"

Lumia nodded.

Lord Andrhei turned his attention to me for the first time since the discussion began. His gaze intensified as if his eyes were trying to pierce through my skin.

Whether intentional, or due to unchecked emotion, the air grew thick and heavy, pressing down on me with such force that it was difficult to stand. No one else buckled or seemed to notice. The dragon’s ire was entirely focused on me.

“And you boy? Do you accept these terms? Will you compete with dragons to remain bonded with my daughter?”

Under such suffocating pressure, I could only gasp out, “I will.”

Lord Andrhei rolled his eyes. “Then you’re an arrogant fool and I look forward to seeing you die in the proving.”

The pressure dispersed and Lord Andrhei waved his arm to dismiss us.