From the moment she had awoken she was in a terrible mood. It seemed lately this had become an ever present sensation. One that she had unfortunately started to grow accustomed to. Even still, the scowl on her face was deep. Her castle was known for being peaceful and quiet. The silence was something she prided herself in. And worked very hard to maintain. In the mornings, when she stirred she would lay in her bed and listen to the odd sounds that permeated throughout her room and the occasional songs of the birds that rested atop the branches near her balcony. Her youth did not allow her such serenity, so for much of her life she spent it trying to reclaim that which was taken from her. But once again peace was threatened, with his arrival.

  Of the hundreds of servants that served her and her castle, all were on their feet. They shuffled tirelessly throughout the night and much of the day in preparation. She could see it on their faces, the exhaustion and fear. For what was on its way was a force of nature, the embodiment of old violence. She was not given much time to prepare, something that he expertly made sure of. He wanted her to be caught unaware, but she would not give him the satisfaction of seeing her in such a state. She had lived for far too long to be surprised anymore. She saw his arrival as nothing more than a bored child making a fuss, for no other reason than to spite her. She would not forget this slight nor would she allow him to do so.

  As she walked towards the great entrance, she looked around at the decorations that were quickly placed. Even in their haste they still carried with it the elegance and modern beauty that had come to be associated with him and royalty. She found it ugly. She quite liked the natural state of her castle. Nature was interwoven within the walls and the ceiling. It was difficult to tell whether the castle was growing out of it or if it was the other way around. To her it was the greatest structure throughout all the lands of Aurum. Perhaps save one obsidian castle located far north. Even now she could remember the sensation of its cold walls. The meticulous design of Stygian architecture. But even they too would acknowledge the beauty of castle Altieri. In the old days castles were rarely built as grand as they were now, for too many of them were quickly torn down by conflict. In their wisdom her ancestors sought to create a symbol that would stand against time. Something that could overcome the endless cycle of violence, something that would represent their perseverance through their continuous persecution. And all that would follow. So they decided along with influence from Aurum herself to carve their castle into an Everwood Tree. The most ancient of all of Aurum’s children. It was a tale that she had been taught very early on in her life, one that she shared with her daughters. A tale that had turned very much to legend above all else. But as she placed a palm on the time-worn wood. She could still feel the venerated power flowing through it. Carrying the hopes and prayers of her people. Today would not be the day this great castle fell. Just as her mother, and her mother before her and so on had guarded it. So too would she. She closed her eyes and offered a silent prayer, and in return the castle warmed to her touch.

  “M-my lady forgive me, but the emperor approaches,” a servant said behind her, barely above a whisper.

  She only glanced at her but that was enough to bring the servant to her knees lowering her head. She could taste the fear that gripped her. He had not even arrived and already his influence could be felt. Her scowl deepened.

  “And the preparations?” she asked uninterested.

  “All is completed. The chambers have all been prepared.” The servant could not hide the exhaustion in her voice.

  She turned to continue her walk but stopped herself turning only slightly to look at the servant.

  “What of Reza?”

  There was some hesitancy but the servant knew better than to keep her waiting, “She slumbers still your majesty. Lady Karla has gone to wake her.”

  The thought of Karla near her daughter eased her to some extent. Even though she knew she was in no danger she did not want her to be alone. She cursed herself for feeling such weakness in the presence of a servant. But there were far more pressing matters than her pride. She dismissed the girl and continued her way towards the entrance. The intricacy of her castle allowed her to enjoy many sights before she made it to the grand doorway. Various exotic flowers and fauna made themselves home within the interior of the castle. The colors they offered danced with a vibrancy only seen outside in the wild. And just like outside, the aroma that hung in the air was just as sweet, if not sweeter still. She allowed the scent to carry her back to when her daughters were children and the manner in which they played through the very halls she walked. Before her she saw them hand in hand as they smiled and laughed and engrossed themselves with the world around them. She could not help but smile. Such innocence, she tried as much as she could to savor it. But it was never enough. No matter how much time she had with them. It was never enough.

  The first thing she noticed when she made it outside was the blistering sun upon her fair skin. Even as winter approached the celestial body fought with all its might to remain. The sun did well to illuminate a splendid scene before her, the great roots of the Everwood Tree snaked its way out from the ground reaching all around and going off in different directions into the wilderness. Below her the city was shielded by what remained of the roots that gathered at the bottom. Even from this distance she could see how her people all congregated near the entrance. So rarely did anything happen within her city walls without her approval. So to her it was somewhat of a foreign experience to see how much the city came alive because of the presence of another. The stone buildings that dotted along the roads of her city gleamed and shined against the sun. The grass roofs covered in foliage and roots vibrant with color and life. The brilliance of the day was not lost on her. Were it any other time she would have walked through the many gardens dotted on the branches of her great Everwood Tree. And enjoyed the colors the flowers would turn. But today she would not be allowed the luxuries that she was used to. Instead she was forced to stand at the entrance to her home, waiting for his arrival. More people emerged from the castle standing behind her, servants and nobles alike. Were it not for their clothes, one would have trouble pointing them apart. For they all carried the same expression of worry and subservience. In some ways, there was some benefit to his arrival. It reminded her that there was no difference between those who served her. Some just happened to wear better clothes than the others. But in the end, they all served her the same. Every so often she would glance back to see if Karla would emerge with Reza and time and time again she would be disappointed.

  The first cheers erupted with such an explosion they shook her out of thought. She turned back below to see as multiple golden carriages were pulled through the large gates. On either side of them gilded knights in gold and black armor. Such menacing violent aura filled her with unease. A terrible memory crawled its way back to the forefront of her mind, and she instinctively placed a hand over her womb. She watched as they made their way through the crowd slowly. The little comfort it brought her lay in the fact that this time he did not come with the entirety of his royal court. Instead it seemed to only be himself and a few advisors. But even in that she could not help but feel as though there was something far more unsettling afoot because of that.

  “Perhaps if you smile more it will help ease your mood, my lady.” A voice said approaching her.

  She turned to see Karla.

  “I am smiling,” she turned back towards the crowd. "Internally.”

  Karla offered a soft smile.

  “Where is Reza?”

  “She still dresses.” Karla responded, fixing her attire. “She did not like what you picked for her, so I allowed her to choose something more comfortable.”

  “What I chose for her was the colors of our home.” She could not hide her annoyance at the slight rebellious attitude of her youngest daughter.

  “Hmm,” Karla began. “Does it not remind you of another young princess some time ago?”

  She turned to look at her oldest ally unimpressed. Her brown hair was tied braided to one side, revealing a mature face. Despite being two hundred years old, Karla was still as youthful as she had always been. The shared history between them made them sisters in some ways, and in other ways even closer. Her brown eyes were always full of hope, even in the darkest of times. Something she sought comfort in, but today she had wished those same earth brown eyes carried that usual hope. But she could see the worry in them. Even Karla could not hide her concern by his arrival here today. Such was that his presence robbed everything around him of any will to strive. But the crowd were none the wiser, they still continued to cheer and shout his name to the heavens. They threw flowers and coins in celebration, they sang and danced. They enveloped themselves in his aura and for that she was envious. For they did not know the true nature of the demon they were so quick to call emperor.

  “His letter said nothing about his reason for coming here?” Karla asked, moving closer to her.

  She shook her head, “Nothing.” The cool breeze blew, defying the heat. “It simply said; ‘I am coming.’”

  I am coming. She repeated the words in her head. Only three words and yet they carried so much weight. Enough to force an entire realm to move in response. She toiled over and over the night before, wondering what it was that could bring him this far west. He rarely journeyed outside his kingdom, and rare still did he send letters to her. It had been years since they had any meaningful conversation, something she explicitly demanded. But her instincts told her upon the death of the king in the north, that he would reach out to her again. And so she prepared, perhaps only subconsciously, but nevertheless she prepared. And now that day arrived and she felt as though today would change her in ways that she would not be ready for. He had never had that effect on her, even in their youth. She had always been able to withstand him. But the older they got, the colder she became. It seemed he was the only one willing to warm her. He knew how to crawl underneath her skin better than anyone.

  Karla slipped her hand into hers, “You must be strong. For Reza, for Roderika.”

  She nodded.

  And so they waited, and watched as the golden carriages snaked their way through the city all the way up towards the castle. More gold was carved into the carriages than all those who lived in her city would ever see in their lifetime or their children's. Such craftsmanship was something to be admired, in truth she could not help but acknowledge the work. Care was taken, for that she was sure. She noted how each golden groove was accented with a row of jewels that glimmered underneath the sunlight. The wood used to carve the main carriage itself was of the highest quality. She need not touch it, even from where she stood she could feel the protective magic that shielded those inside from any harm. She knew this because she herself created the magic that protected him. The giant wheels that the carriage sat upon were made out of blessed silver. And as such when it rolled it made no sound. The large horses that pulled the carriage were tattooed with golden ink. The story of the emperor written upon their skin for all to see with otherworldly symbols. An honor that put them above even some lords and lady's of the realms. The harnesses made of leather adorned with various jewels. The forehead of each of the four horses was embedded with a golden rose so all could see which great house they belonged to. They were war horses, so they stood twice as large as any normal horse, their hooves shook the very earth beneath their feet with each step. Such unrivaled decadence exuded from the carriage. Wealth like no other. For there was no other. Who could command such an existence but the emperor of Aurum herself?.

  Each of the seven knights dismounted, each making a loud thud as they landed on the earth. They lined on either side as the servant who pulled the carriage quickly shuffled and made his way towards the door. He only opened it briefly and all present gasped in anticipation. She was the only exception. The emperor stepped out of the carriage and all knelt. Except for her. It had been years since she last laid eyes upon him. He was as ordinary now as he was then. His short blonde hair was cut evenly atop his head. The last time she saw him he sported a beard, but now he was clean shaven on both sides except for golden hair atop his lip and on his chin. He wore the standard royal garment of the emperor, with the green and golden colors of his ancient and proud house. Embroiled on his garment was a great stag with black roses intertwined between its antlers. Each hand was covered with several rings of power and status. One ear was pierced with a golden ring that seemed to glow as bright as his hair. He looked far older than she remembered, the years had slowly begun to take their toll on him. She knew he reached the end of his lifespan. He was already two hundred and fifty years old. He tested the upper limits of how long a human could live, a test he was failing. But despite all of that, his eyes were the same as ever. The same eyes that she had always known. The same cold frozen eyes from their youth. The eyes that along with hers and one other, saw untold tragedy and violence that befalled their home. Eyes that she had once come to delude herself into loving. Before her stood Emperor Nero Blackrose, self proclaimed God-King of Aurum.

  “Introducing, in all his glory and exuberance!” shouted the servant, “King of the First Men, Dragon Lords, and the Nephilim. Guardian of Au and Protector of the Nine Grimoires of Nyx! Emperor Nero Blackrose!”

  Cheers rang out throughout the city, thousands upon thousands cried out in adoration. The knights in unison bashed their armored hands against their armored chests. They worshipped him and everything he was. As he stood there—as he basked in their devotion it brought a smile to his face. It made her sick. He placed his hands behind his back and approached. One more exited the carriage, Queen Roderika Altieri.

  “Mother!” the young queen began to run towards her, but stopped to acknowledge her father. He nodded in approval and she continued.

  She embraced her eldest daughter, “Welcome home my child. Welcome home.” She held her tight, as though if she let her go she would disappear.

  “Did I worry you?” Roderika said, struggling to breath under her mothers tight grip.

  She quickly let go, slightly embarrassed by her reaction, “Of course not. Can I not embrace my daughter, after so long?”

  “She lies. She missed you terribly, little one.” Karla added, hugging the young monarch too. Roderika giggled but her warm expression quickly disappeared.

  “What is it my child?” she asked, worried by the sudden change in her.

  Before Roderika could find the courage to speak, he approached.

  “Queen Tereza, it has been far too long my love.” Emperor Nero bowed much to the shock of everyone present.

  Tereza’s deep scowl did nothing to hide the ever present beauty that Nero was intimately familiar with. Her long flowing raven hair reached down to her waist. Its color could only be matched by the richest of onyx fabric. She was taller than him so that meant she looked down at him with a face that was once described to be tended to by the Gods themselves. The shape of her face was so adroitly carved the uniqueness of it meant one could go their entire lives without seeing anything like it. Her cheekbones sat softly just below her nose, prominent enough to notice, but not enough to detract from every other part of her. Every one of her features from her eyes, to her nose to her lips was expertly placed. A captivating and unsettling beauty that had no rival to compare. Even Stygian women who were seen to be the pinnacle of beauty would find something to envy in her appearance. Her emerald eyes were brighter than any diamond. The fullness of her lips like the softest of fruits. Her skin a lighter bronze than her daughters. There was a rich youthful glow even though she was as old as Nero himself. In fact to the old emperor, Tereza had not changed much in well over a century perhaps even two. Such was the benefit of being an Altieri, of being a witch.

  “I am no queen,” the proud mother began. “And I am most certainly not your love.”

  Nero smiled.

  “Would you prefer I refer to you as Black Witch Tereza then?” A toothy grin crossed the old emperor's face.

  Had she had the time to respond, it was not beyond the realm of possibility that Tereza might have placed a hex upon Nero. But any action she would have made was cut short with the visceral roar that cried out from the heavens above. All turned their attention to the sky to see the sun blacked out. Even at this distance its sheer size was truly remarkable. Jet black wings flapped with the intensity of a thousand raging storms. The very air itself became hot, threatening to bubble. Once more it flapped its wings and circled with predation in mind. All below cowered at the sight of it. Some primordial instinct of fear shook them to their core. As though acknowledging the fear in their hearts, it roared out again. A thunderous roar that threatened to tear the air apart. And in the mere blink of an eye it landed with the grace of snow upon the land.

  The sun reflected off its iridescent black scales. Giving it an oily sheen depending on what angle it was viewed from. The courtyard of castle Altieri was massive, like all courtyards of any great castle. But even in all its glory, it could not hope to contain the magnificent creature. For its presence was enough to threaten the beauty of the castle and the Everwood Tree it was carved into. Its scales interlocked and unlocked like armor as it moved into a more comfortable position. Its black wings stretched wide above its body, cartilage and skin could be seen as the light of the sun passed through it. Such wings were twice as big as the creature itself, no doubt the reason why it could move with speed befitting a master of the sky. It tucked them back by its side. The long head craned and looked around, on each side of its face horns stuck out like pikes ready to impale any who came near. They protruded from its face like metal points from an obsidian crown. All along its back down to its long slender tail— horns of varying size and shape uniformly sat ready at attention. Each horn flexed and reacted prepared for violence at a moment's notice. Perhaps most terrifying of all, were its eyes. They burned like hellfire. Such ferocity was only rivaled by the sense of reason one felt when they gazed into them. It was aware, and that meant it could think. It looked at all present, studying their faces, the horror that none of them could hide. Eventually it rested its eyes upon Tereza who returned a wicked sign of contempt. One the great creature acknowledged by raising its head high above to look down upon her in return. Of all the creatures that called Aurum home, none could match the great brilliance, the grandeur and the utter exaltedness of the ancient dragons. Among the proud dragons, there stood some even higher than others, known as the Elder Dragons. And one such elder dragon stood before them, Helax the Onyx King.

  In times past, elder dragons were thought of to be within the realm of raging storms, or blistering winter calamities. Beings not meant to be tamed, rather to be left alone as they soared the skies. High above the clouds too far for any one man to reach, is where they called home. There they ruled commanding the winds to bend to their every whim. They were the masters of the sky, and custodians of the great Flame. In the old texts their home was previously referred to as the tenth realm of Aurum, known as Allabastyr. And so they were formerly known as the Allabastyr Lords. Once at their recorded peak, it was believed they numbered ten thousand strong. Now, only four elder dragons remained. The Stygians saw to that.

  Helax lowered his head triumphantly, having shown Tereza his might. The elder dragon was still young he was only five thousand years old—the youngest of the remaining four . A bullish nature made him far more aggressive than he had any right to be. But the soothing pats from the man who rode him seemed to calm him. He allowed the man with crimson hair to disembark and so he approached them.

  Crown Prince Galahad Bludgaard was a tall thin man. Nearly sickly so. Even as he walked with a slight slouch, his gate could not mask the noble birth from which he hailed from. The eldest son of Lancel and Elaine Bludgaard, and heir to the realm of Vistoria and Dragoons Peak. Even as sickly as he looked, he was handsome. His sharp features, more prominent because of his appearance. His eyes softly sunken, and his skin as pale as moonlight, limbs like thin vine. He walked with all the reverence afforded to one of his stature. Known throughout Aurum as Galahad the Pure, the dragon rider who was the dearest and oldest friend of King Saturn Blackrose. He knelt before Tereza, his long rose colored hair, covering most of his face.

  “Your highness, forgive the spectacle. Once more it is an honor to grace your realm.” His voice as soothing as a summer's breeze.

  Tereza was not impressed. She turned her ire back to emperor Nero, “You would dare bring an elder dragon to my front door? Have you gone insane?”

  Helax blew hot air through his nostrils, scoffing at the former monarch's words. He crossed his front legs and turned his head away from her.

  Galahad raised his head confused, his red eyes filled with bewilderment. “My lady I do not understand. Emperor Nero said you approved of my accompanying him.”

  They both turned to Nero who raised his hand defensively and smirked. Even in his old age, she despised his childish immaturity at times.

  Tereza sought to further scold him, this disrespect was one step too far. If those north were to be made aware of the presence of not only the emperor but of an elder dragon as well. It could be seen as a declaration of war. And Tereza did not have the appetite for such things anymore. She had enjoyed over a century of peace within her city's walls. She would not allow anyone to threaten that, to threaten her sanctuary, her daughters. Not even the emperor of Aurum himself. The edges of her emerald eyes began to turn black with rage.

  “Father!” called out a voice from the front steps of the castle behind Tereza. All turned to look.

  She came out running, her raven hair flying in the wind. She embraced him, nearly tumbling over. Her laugh was like warmth from an open flame in the middle of winter. Nero spun her around smiling. It had been too long since he last saw his youngest daughter.

  “This cannot be the same daughter I know!” he beamed, “Let me look at you my darling!”

  She stepped back and spun around. Allowing all to bask in her glow. Even Tereza was not immune to her own daughter's energy. Admittedly seeing her calmed her. Even so much so she forgot her annoyance at her daughter for rejecting the dress she had picked out for her. Instead she had elected to wear one of her mothers own noble attires. A black gown that hugged her upper body but was far more free flowing below her waist. The intricate designs on the dress were handcrafted over years of continuous work. Gold and green accents were woven through the sleeves, while the main body of the dress was a vibrant black. The gown sat well on her, much better than it ever did on Tereza. Even she would admit so. But what tied her entire appearance together was her face. As Tereza looked at her daughter, so much of her resembled her own, nearly all the same proportions located in the same place. And yet where Tereza had always been an example of contained pulchritude even in her youth. Her daughter was likened more to the ungovernable beauty of nature itself. Where Tereza had ataractic emerald eyes, her daughters were the azure skies that were unrivaled throughout all of Aurum. Such a wild and yet tender nature made her a budding complexity that drew all towards her. Those who were present were no exception, such was how all who looked at Reza Altieri felt.

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  “You continue to amaze me my dear.” Emperor Nero said embracing her again. “Soon your beauty will exceed your sisters and your mothers.”

  “Perhaps you would be less amazed if you visited more often.” Reza teased.

  The young princess turned her attention to her elder sister and embraced her, much to Roderika’s surprise.

  “Welcome home sister.”

  Roderika, squeezed her tight,“Thank you. I hope you have been behaving? And not causing mother trouble while I was gone.” She pinched her cheek and Reza furrowed her brow in protest.

  Reza turned to Galahad who awaited the princess quietly. “Could it be? My dearest prince, returned once again?”

  The young prince bowed his head, hiding his blushing face. “Princess Reza, it is always a pleasure to see you.” He hoped she could not see how red his face was becoming.

  She giggled and turned her attention to Helax who purposely ignored her.

  “And you!” she shouted. “Are you going to pretend you are not happy to see me?”

  Helax turned his head slightly back to look at her and looked away.

  She tiptoed carefully towards the elder dragon, making sure not to alert him. Tereza forced herself to not interfere. Reza was far too sheltered to understand the dangers of what an elder dragon could do. Even one as young as Helax. She watched with bated breath as Reza sprang on the young dragon and hugged its head. Helax let out a low pur and nuzzled its head back towards Reza. Dragons were incapable of smiling but for a moment, Tereza believed she saw the Onyx King do so.

  “I hope you have been taking care of Galahad?” she rubbed the top of his head, the warmth of his skin heating her up. “We troublemakers have to look out for each other.”

  Helax spoke with a low rumble and blew hot air into Reza’s face as she laughed.

  “He says the only troublemaker here is you, princess.” Galahad added with a smile.

  Reza placed her hands on her hips and began wagging her finger at Helax who raised one of his large wings and shielded himself from her attacks. As much as Tereza had been in a terrible mood the last few days. To see her daughters so full of life brought much needed peace in these trying times. Much was on her mind about her realm, the state of Aurum and the passing of the king in the north. But none of that mattered when she saw Reza smile as she did. Her laugh soothed her worries and for a moment, it was as though she had achieved true peace. A peace that she had spent much of her life searching for. But just as soon as that calming sensation appeared it vanished when Nero spoke.

  “Come Tereza, there is much we must speak about.” He had already begun walking towards the castle, not giving her an opportunity to respond. She turned to Karla.

  “Go, I will see to Roderika and make sure she rests.” She squeezed her hand softly and gave her a reassuring smile.

  Tereza looked at Roderika who still had a look of worry on her face and they both exchanged nods. She then turned to Galahad, “If your dragon shits on any of my gardens, you are cleaning it up. With your bare hands.”

  Galahad let out a wearily smile and nodded submissively. Of all the women he knew in his life, none terrified him more than Tereza Altieri. Her cold and detached demeanor was frightening. Even being in her presence made the hairs on the back of his neck stand. Such a terrifying aura from a woman so beautiful perplexed him. He had heard the stories of her upbringing and what she had to endure during the Third Great War. Her tales were as renowned as her beauty, in fact in many places more so. As much as she was feared, there were still some who whispered her name alongside Nero’s. Hero’s who together with the demon king of the north felled the mad emperor. Saving Aurum from endless war. But as the young prince watched her disappear into the castle alongside Nero. The young prince wondered to himself, if only for a moment—if Barranagan Xerxes also had the same pensive sadness in his eyes that emperor Nero and the Black Witch carried.

  “I figured we would have this conversation in your bed chambers." Quipped Nero as he sat on the large resting chair that was placed in front of the high ceiling windows. Tereza ignored him as she gracefully moved across the room. Putting as much distance between them as she could.

  Her study was large, vines hung from the ceiling like chandeliers. Various herbs and foliage were scattered across the walls and with varying labels on them. Charms and items of power hummed with a muffled intensity that seemed to reverberate throughout the chamber. Books floated in the air and flipped through pages as though some invisible force were reading them. The roots of the Everwood tree interwoven within the room gave the chamber an ancient like mysticism that seemed to draw its power from everything all around. Candelabras were placed in almost every corner, despite the light from them being dim they still somehow managed to light the room perfectly. The assistance of the midday sun was a welcomed addition. In the center of the room was occupied by a stone basin with symbols carved into its sides. Even the pillar with which it rested atop was no exception. The words seemed to cause pain to any who tried to read them who did not understand the language. Nero was not well versed in magic but even he could tell this was a sacred place than not many were permitted to enter and even fewer knew existed. In all the years since he last saw the woman who bore him two children, he could tell her power had grown. This room was all the proof he needed. Within here he felt as though he was cut off from the rest of the world. This was the domain of Tereza Altieri, and within it all would bend to her whim. It brought a smile to his face.

  “Did you travel all this way, with Galahad as your escort to joke?” her glare pierced through him.“Get on with it.”

  “You seem to be in a foul mood,” the old emperor yawned.“Have I caught you at a bad time? That attire you wear, is it not one for mourning?” he pointed at her with a worn finger. His eyes never leaving her.

  Tereza said nothing.

  Nero rose from the chair stretching. He walked around the room surveying the diverse trinkets that dotted the walls, “I am not aware of anyone important in Laconia dying.” A bronze dagger caught his attention; within it he could see Tereza’s reflection.

  Once more Tereza said nothing.

  “Now that I think about it,” he paused. “The only person of note to die recently was Barranagan was it not?”

  It was for the briefest of moments, a second within a second. But it was enough, her expression, one of pain and Nero caught it.

  “What I wear and when I wear it, is of no concern to you.” The great witch spoke, with command in her voice. “Do well to remember you are in my domain. And these games you play have no effect on me.”

  Nero made his way towards the high ceiling windows and stared out at the city below. Even with his back turned to her she could tell he was lost in thought. “You felt it too did you not? When he died. Like the air was pulled from your lungs. I half expected I would join him at that moment.”

  Tereza did not allow her mind to carry her back to that terrible feeling she felt weeks ago. The sudden sensation as though her very soul would depart her body. She had prepared herself, for years, decades and still. When it happened, when he died it was like nothing she had ever experienced before. She fought back tears. The hollow feeling she carried threatened to consume her entire being. And still she endured, refusing to feel any kind of pity for herself. She would not allow herself any mercy. She more than anyone knew she was undeserving of it.

  “I wonder, perhaps I should have gone to see him. Be there with him in his final moments.” Nero began, his words directed more to himself than anyone else. “Damn the titles, damn the past. He was my one true friend. After everything the three of us all went through. The hell my accursed father created for the nine realms. But what would I say? What could I say to him? What is it that I wanted to hear from him that I could not bring myself to ask in over a century?”

  “What is this?” Tereza scoffed, snapping Nero out of his trance. He turned to her almost dazed. “Have you come here to what? Share your guilt with me? Do you want me to absolve you?” she stopped herself from laughing in his face. The lengths of his audacity somehow still surprised her all these years later.

  “Do not act like you have no guilt of your own woman. You did not go see him either.” He snapped back his words cutting into her flesh.

  “You know nothing of me or of my guilt. Your sins are yours to bear. As mine are my own” She stopped leaning on her desk. Tereza stood upright. “For a century. For a fucking century, you stood by as Lancel Bludgaard along with the rest of your zealots, dragged his name through the streets of your empire. Calling him ‘the demon of the north’, ‘the last beast of the old world’. And you talk of him as your one true friend?”

  Simmering rage had begun to build within Tereza. She was unsure if it was for Nero or herself. The bitter taste of anger slowly covered her tongue. An animosity that she had done well to keep under control. The attempted self-flagellation that Nero was performing was too much for even her to stomach. There was much left unsaid between the both of them. That was how she always wanted it to be. But secretly a part of her wished to confront Nero with the truth and today seemed to be that day.

  “I know nothing of you?” Nero repeated her words clearly. “Tell me, after the war when he returned north; why did you not go? Better yet, after you deluded yourself into justifying why you did not go and closed yourself off to the world for decades. Whose bed did you crawl into when you emerged from your self-exile?”

  His words like a metal rod on flesh. Tereza swore she would never forgive herself. Not for sleeping with him the first time, or several times after that. She would never forgive herself for believing that Nero could be loved. That she would fall for his lies twice. When Roderika was born, she accepted her birth was out of necessity. To rebuild a future that was on the brink of collapse. She knew Nero never truly desired her. She never once desired him either. But in each other they saw the man they believed abandoned them. They believed that the piece of him they both carried within would be worthy alternatives to the man himself. They watched from a distance as he found another, and she gave him a son. They were wrecked with guilt and envy. But Tereza should have known better. She watched as Nero fathered more children than she cared to count throughout the realms, under the guise of peace. He planted his seed across kingdoms. And yet still unsatisfied, for his true desire was always out of reach. Barranagan Xerxes was always out of reach.

  But Reza was meant different. And yet her birth was one born out of despair. Even now Tereza could still recall the pain she felt when she was made aware of the death of Barranagan's wife. The ferociousness in which she met her end while holding on to her youngest son. But the suffering of the king in the north did not end there. So soon after did his oldest, Hyperion abandon his birthright and his home. And yet, never once through all of that did Barranagan seek her for council or comfort. Through all they had experienced together, he never sought her. Who else but the Emperor of Aurum could understand what she felt? Disillusioned and broken, she returned to Nero. Lying to herself that he had changed, that the years had changed him. And it did for a time. And once more the emperor grew bored of her and her children.

  It took her longer than she would have liked, but Tereza learned her lesson. And vowed to close her heart forever to the world. She could never bring herself to face Barranagan, even when she learned that death slowly consumed him. The shame and indiscretion was too great for her to overcome. She believed she was unworthy to stand in his presence. Unlike Nero, she chose to face the truth; a century ago she should have gone north with the man she loved most. With the man who sacrificed everything to save her, her home and all the lives of everyone she ever knew. The man who when kings and warriors turned coward in the face of the mad emperor, stood to face him. The man she dreamt about nearly almost every night for a century. But now that man was dead. And with his death, so too did her heart join him.

  “You see, unlike you Nero,” began Tereza as she walked towards him. “I have had a very long time to reflect on my life and what has become of it. Despite my many, many faults. I have accepted certain truths. And those I cannot accept I will carry to my grave—there is good in my life. That much I know, I see it everyday when I look into the eyes of my daughters, of Karla and those who serve me and my great house. When I meet my end, it will be with a smile on my face. But what brings me the greatest joy? I know you will not experience the same.” She made sure her words struck what was left of his soul.

  Tereza let the silence hang in the air and for the first time in decades, she felt free of him. Free of the gravity that orbited around him and all those who worshipped him. At that moment, she began to understand what Barranagan must have felt all those years ago. Her heart grew even heavier. She turned to exit the room, she was tired of this poisonous war of words between them. She would play his game no longer.

  “Your room has been prepared. You are welcome to stay as long as you wish to pretend you are a good father to Reza. But know her naming ceremony is soon. So perhaps wait until after that before you choose to disappoint her again. Allow her a few more days to believe in you a little while longer.” Tereza headed for the door.

  Unbeknownst to her, Nero had also accepted certain truths about himself as well. When Barranagan gave him the throne to Aurum. It opened his eyes to the reality that he was not that much different from the mad emperor he once called father. A man he hated with every corner of his soul, a man he wished death a thousand times over in his waking life and in his dreams. But becoming Emperor of Aurum, it allowed him to understand his father in ways that he was never able to as a bastard prince. In a way only his dearest friend was able to. He was not powerful like Barranagan. He did not wield magic like Tereza nor was he able to command the element of fire, like his father. Nero was as ordinary as many humans who called Aurum home. But as he sat on the throne with his manhood erect in his pants; a feeling he once believed was caused by the praise he received from his followers. It was not until many years later that he finally realized the reason his body reacted like that.

  No matter how many who gave themselves to him, or pledged their entire bloodline to his service. Or offered him their castles as tribute. None of it mattered if he could not have the greatest prize of all—the one man who made it all possible. The man who gave his father what he sought most in the whole world. But Barranagan returned north, uninterested in the title of emperor. He turned his back on the throne, on the future they dreamt of, on him. And that made Nero desire him in excess. Try as he might, he even bedded the woman Barranagan loved, had his name cursed and defiled. His sacrifice mocked and desecrated. None of it mattered, Barranagan said nothing. And still Nero continued to push and push to no avail. That is how it was until Queen Myrra’s death changed everything. Because of it soon after Barranagan’s followed. But all was not lost, for if Nero could not have Barranagan, he would take the man made in his image instead.

  “For all my faults and shortcomings. Have I not put Aurum first?” Nero asked, as he sat back down on the chair. Tereza stopped to face him. “You think I am this monster, but all I have ever wanted was to achieve the dream that all three of us desired. For all those who call Aurum home to live in peace. For our children to live in peace.”

  “What do you mean?” Tereza asked.

  Nero smiled.

  “My coming to Laconia here, without proper announcement was not to embarrass you. I come to bring great news Tereza. But the importance of it, was far too great that I had to deliver it myself. After so long, what we have all desired can finally be achieved.”

  Tereza felt unease, something was wrong. She could feel it inside of her, “Nero what are you talking about?”

  The old emperor stroked his chin, his diamond eyes sharp as glass. “Three days from today,” he raised his fingers. “In a mere three days, my daughter, Queen Enrieta will meet with King Antares. The contents of their conversation is irrelevant. But the outcome is what matters. In some ways it has already been set in stone.”

  “What have you done?”

  “King Antares has only recently sat upon the throne and yet to have chosen any suitors to wed.”

  Tereza’s heart sank. “Nero. Stop.”

  He continued, “For so long have the Stygians chosen to close themselves off from the rest of Aurum. In many ways they have been the biggest obstacle to true peace. Their desire to wash their hands of our home has caused some much strife. Even the other northern realms show signs of faltering.”

  “Nero please, do not do this.”

  His smile widening, “The Gods have blessed Barranagan and I to have children who are of the age of marriage.”

  “Nero, not my daughter, please. Not her. She is not part of this.” Tears building up in her eyes.

  “So as one of my last acts as emperor. I will offer King Antares Reza’s hand in marriage. Finally bridging our two families once more after so many millennia of us being apart-”

  “Enough!”

  Tereza’s shadow had grown so large as the emperor spoke that it swallowed the entire room in darkness. Her sclera had turned black and her emerald eyes glowed a violent green. She wrapped the darkness around him tightly, nearly crushing his bones. Her hands dripped black ink and from within the shadows all manner of creatures roared ravenously. The room grew colder as her shadow continued to devour everything around them. She approached with such murderous resentment. Her face was a twisted hollow monstrosity beyond recognition. For the first time in a century emperor Nero Blackrose felt fear.

  “I will give you three words,” her voice barely human, echoed within his skull threatening to split it apart. “After that I will strip your soul from your body, piece by piece. That is all the grace I will offer you.”

  He knew she was not bluffing. In their youth he had seen her do it once before. The image never left him. It had been a long time since Nero last saw the true face of Tereza Altieri. He had almost forgotten that as much as she claimed she was—she was not human. No witch was truly human. A reminder that he sorely needed. Their persecution throughout the millennia was something he had slowly begun to sympathize with given Reza was also a witch too. But here as he stood frozen and immobile, he understood why they had been treated as they were. Even he admitted to himself the Stygians were right about those who communed with the Other.

  “I… am dying.” It took everything for him to get the words out as his ribcaged continued to cave in on itself.

  Tereza paused for a minute, slightly caught off guard by the remark. She did not blink as she studied him. She seemed to be looking not just at him but inside of him as well. And in the blink of an eye Nero was free, sitting on the chair as he was a moment ago. Completely fine. The room had returned to normal as though nothing had changed. While Tereza, who looked her usual self, leaned against her table. Her shadow was normal like any other person. An illusion? The old emperor thought to himself. But he knew better, although his body no longer hurt, the memory of the pain was engraved in his mind. He was unsure what it was, but he knew the danger he was in a moment ago was very real. He did his best to look unphased.

  “I see you have learned some new tricks,” he cleared his throat.

  “You will reject the marriage proposal,” her words like venom.

  “I will not.”

  “I will kill you.” Tereza’s words left no room for doubt. Life still had not returned to her eyes.

  Nero shrugged. “Do as you please my love. As I have said, I am dying. I am at the end of my story.” He stood up fixing his attire, “But know this, you kill me and Saturn will raze every inch of your realm. He will burn the last Everwood Trees and all the little witches you hide throughout your realm that you think I am not aware of. As he drags his little sister by her hair kicking and screaming.”

  “Is that a threat?”

  “No. Quite the opposite. It is a fact.” As she began to speak he raised his hand interrupting her, “I do not doubt your power, There are only three beings that I am aware of, in all of Aurum I believe are equal to you. Excluding the Lords of War of course.”

  Tereza sneered at the thought of the accursed woman Nero was no doubt referring to among the three. She had not thought of her in years and now of all times, it further angered her. She would not bring herself to say her name, even Nero knew better than to do so in her presence.

  “But I wonder,” he sat back down. “What would the rest of the realms think if they knew you, a witch stood between them and near eternal peace. How many thousands of years has it been since true unity among the nine realms? Not the constant fear disguised as reconciliation that Barranagan oversaw. ”

  “You would throw me to them?” the softest of pain escaped Tereza’s slips. “All so you could claim Iliad under your empire?”

  She knew he would. But she needed time to think. To find a solution that would save Reza from being used as a tool for his schemes. Not once did she believe that he was doing this for Aurum. Barranagan had brought true peace. For over a century no realm dared war against the other in fear that he may return to the battlefield. That was the power required to keep Aurum safe from those within her realms. She knew Nero’s fascination with the Stygians was far more layered than he ever let on. The mere fact that Saturn Blackrose wed Freyja Stormborne was all the proof she needed to see through his lies. To wed his son to the former betrothed of Antares was bold. Even for him. None seemed to understand the implications but Tereza saw right through Nero's schemes. She had always done so. And Now her own daughter was in danger. All her life she had done her best to shield Reza from Nero, as much as one mother could from the child's father. The fact that he knew she was a witch already caused great stress for the former monarch. And now to throw her into the pit of vipers against the greatest threat any realm had ever faced. But just as her mind continued to wonder about Antares and the Stygians. Her heart dropped. She saw a way through the darkness. Even in death she would still betray Barranagan, it made her sick to her stomach.

  “You misunderstand Tereza,” Nero said soothingly. “I want to protect you. This is how I protect all of you.”

  Tereza turned her face away from him, they stood there in silence. She offered a silent prayer to the man she loved, hoping he would forgive her for what she was about to do. She let out a deep sigh.

  “Swear to me,” she turned back to look at him. “That no harm will befall our daughter. That she will be safe.”

  “I swear to you. She will not suffer the same fate as Myrra.” He smiled at her, and for a moment he looked as he once did in his youth. “This is something to celebrate!”

  Tereza studied Nero’s face. She wondered when it was the first time she noticed how easily he could lie to her. As though he was taking a breath. Not once did his face change, there was no crack in his personality or in his words. How long had he always been able to casually tell her what it was she wanted to hear? Her thoughts rolled back years, decades, centuries. The warmth of his face, of his words so carefully concealed the deceit behind them. She would not acknowledge it but it broke slightly. That he would be willing to put his own daughter to the sword. That he felt nothing when he looked at Reza, who when she looked at him in return, saw the entire world. Nero made her skin crawl in ways only the mad emperor could, something she never thought possible. She long stopped considering him human. For his desires and wants far exceeded that of any person she had ever known. She wondered how Barranagan once called him brother and the man he trusted most in the whole world. Did he ever realize the monster he left to sit upon the throne? In many ways, Nero humanized Barranagan more than she would ever give him credit. To be blinded by someone who was so weak. Who felt nothing as he used whomever was in front of him to reach his goals. But she had little room to complain herself, to have allowed this creature to bed her multiple times. Her stomach turned and she forced herself not to throw up. But just as Barranagan would not back down against the mad emperor, she too would not falter in the face of his reincarnation. She seldom prayed because she did not believe she deserved absolution, but Tereza hoped that one day she would be able to see Barranagan again. To tell him how much she loved him, how much he meant to her—and how if given the opportunity she would have gone north with him. But most importantly Tereza hoped she would be able to face him and tell him how sorry she was for all she did, and could not do. But there would still be some time until then. For now she needed to be strong, as strong as he was and as strong as he believed she was. Her actions here today, would reverberate throughout Aurum for a millennia, changing the lives of millions. For putting Reza on Antares’ path, she would be cursed and worshipped all in the same breath. As a creator and a destroyer, heralded as the mother of The Black Witch. But these claims were not unwarranted. Such was the long and hidden story of witches across Aurum. Only ever to be told to their own kin.

  “Okay,” she hesitated. “Let us speak with Reza, together.”