Chapter 91: Blood brothers

    It’s strange; in a memory where there should only be three people, where did this fourth voice come from? In trepidation, they turn around to see one of the seven shades break off from the rest. The tall male slowly pulls back the heavy hood covering half of his face with pale, strong, calloused hands, revealing shocking blonde hair and deep-set scarlet eyes. There’s no mistake who he is: Daymon Clovis Bastion, the current King of Ethus, Rei’s father. While the other five shades show no signs of consciousness, his sharp eyes watch them with the keen interest of a hawk.

“How is this possible?” Very few things can spook a mature dragon lord like Jasper. It’s always disturbing to encounter the few things that do.

“Come now, big brother, why do you look so shocked? We share a sire, do we not?”

“But you’re not even a full dragon; your bloodline never awakened!”

 Ariellia and Eren don’t know what to make of the crazy situation unfolding before their eyes. It’s like watching an older, refined version of Rei with blonde hair act out-of-character with a haughty attitude. The way he tilts his head to the side with a familiar smirk on that charming face is so disturbing; it sends shivers down their spines.

“What does that have to do with anything? Do you think dragons are the only dream-walkers to ever walk the land? I thought being swindled out of your own destined mate for a lifetime would have tempered that arrogance of yours, but I guess not.”

Gasp

Rei and Ariellia take a sharp breath, very much aware of the landmine he just recklessly stepped on.

Sure enough, in a flash the older dragon lord disappears from their side and reappears before his half-brother, clawed fist aimed at his face. Daymon, the lunatic, doesn’t even attempt to dodge. It’s unknown where his confidence stems from, but the king seems damn sure nothing will happen to him. He watches the incoming attack with a smug look of satisfaction.

…

As it turns out, he is not entirely wrong. At the very last second, just before his claws connect to flesh, Jasper flicks his wrist and changes course, letting a gust of hot air pass by Daymon’s face and shoulder. The attack ruffles his hair but does little else; the King remains unharmed.  

“See, after all these years, this is all your rage amounts to, nothing but hot air.” The jeering smirk plastered on that familiar face makes Ariellia’s stomach turn.

“Why are you here?” Jasper pulls back when he realizes how much the last couple of days have gotten under his scales. He tries to calm himself while glaring at his half-brother, wishing he’d never made that stupid vow with his father. At the very least, he should be able to discipline the cocky little prick, blood oaths be damned.

“What, do you think you’re the only one entitled to a bit of reconnaissance?”

“Reconnaissance? What do you even mean, you stupid blockhead?” The older dragon lord frowns.

“I believe it's my right to see him for myself...the one she seeks to replace me with.”  Daymon’s cold red eyes land on Rei. His stoic face remains icy cold, lacking any sign of parental warmth, like he’s looking at someone already marked for death.

“What kind of nonsense are you spouting? No one is trying to replace you!” This whole situation is so maddening that Jasper looks ready to light a fuse.

“Right, and that is why she hid him from my sight for sixteen years.” The perfectly timed arched brow on the king’s face doesn’t help matters.

“What are you even trying to say?” Jaspers looks at his half-brother with disbelief written all over his face. To think this is the hair-brained scheme his brother had come up with. Perhaps he’s been cooped up in that shallow cage at the capital for too long, jumping at every shadow like a common thief.

“I’m saying that I’m onto your ploy. You are trying to usurp my throne with my son like father did with my biological father.”

“Have you gone mad!” Jasper’s gold eyes shine brighter with his rising anger, barely able to stick to his oath.

“I know how much Admetus hated my biological father. He used me as a borrowed knife to get revenge for Mother’s death.”

“Truly insane. You’re right, Father absolutely hated that spineless piece of shit, and that is exactly why he took you away from the capital after her death. That, little brother, was his revenge. Father never even wanted you to set foot back in that palace. You’re all he has left of her; why would he even be willing to share you with that bastard? It was you who wanted to reclaim your birthright in the human kingdom. Even in his madness, Father tried to dissuade you several times!” Jasper’s so mad that wisps of little flames and steam spew from his mouth as he speaks.

“No one wants your stinking throne, old man.” Rei denies Daymon’s outlandish claims on the spot, disappointed to see his father is such an insecure, small-minded man.

“No? Then I welcome you to the capital. Your mother and little sister miss you dearly, son.”

No one knows how to react when the shade dissipates like smoke. His father’s condescending laughter lingers in their ears. The twitching vein on Jasper’s clenched jaw is very telling; he almost grinds his teeth to dust as he seethes with anger. After seeing the atrocities committed by his brother at the Beastman village, he knows he’s far from innocent. Something had changed the brat’s spirit, making him value others’ lives less. He just didn’t think the other was so far gone that he would accuse him of such worldly conspiracies while throwing his painful past back in his face for bloodsport.

“What did he mean, biological father?” Ariellia asks, finding this point odd.

“Exactly that, Admetus, our father promised to give Queen Meti a womb made of his mana. It only worked because she was the reincarnation of my mother, his mate. My father was betting that his mana would prevail over the king’s genes, put Daymon's conception into question, and drive a wedge between husband and wife. He’d hoped to win her heart while the prideful king abandoned mother and child.”

“That’s horrible.”

“Trust me, I know. He never considered why Meti stayed married to the gloomy king in the first place. It was never for love but for her father’s life. She could never run away with my father, even if she was in love, and leave her father in the old King’s hands. His gamble was doomed from the start, and Meti paid the price with her life.”

“So the rumors were false; she never stepped out of her marriage. Daymon is the King’s rightful heir.” This explains the blonde hair.  

“No wonder Admetus went mad; he blames himself for her death. If he’d been honest or refused her wish, she might have lived.”

Ariellia can’t help but feel bad for both. It was a reckless gamble he shouldn’t have made, but she understands why people do crazy things for love. Her eyes settle back on Rei, watching the complex storm of emotions play out in his eyes. None of this is easy to hear.

“Then why didn’t he save her?” Rei asks, his voice heavy with the burden of his twisted lineage.

“A dragon slayer’s blade never lies. The old King knew Meti didn’t commit adultery, but he didn’t care. He knew his son was impotent from the start, and the only way Daymon could have been born is if a dragon helped her. He only wanted to capture the dragon behind Meti to extend his life. He laid a trap for Admetus on the same day of her execution. My father was across the continent when she died, only realizing the truth when it was too late.”

…a tragic fate indeed.

“I will not let this insult stand, nephew. Not after all that royal family has put my family through. We are going to the Capital, and you will kick your father’s arrogant, scrawny little ass in my place. Are we clear?”

“Yes, Uncle.”

For once, Rei doesn’t argue or rebel. His first meeting with his father was a disaster, leaving him nothing but disappointment. His heart can’t help but compare the man’s cold words to Lady Oya’s patient smile and warm hugs. The contrast between the two is like night and day. This even stirs the need to return to the orphanage, to check on the only parental figure that ever loved him without any expectations.

“Good, then we should prepare.” Jasper ends the dream with a final look at the vague figure covered in mist.

“I will make you regret this, coward.”

…

The figure slowly nods, like a silent challenge.