Until the Last Drop of My Blood (The Legends Saga #1)

Chapter 12

Not long after Talin’s departure, Astrid arrived at my chamber with a woman I had not seen before. Her presence was commanding, marked by an air of serene authority, sharp, intelligent eyes, and a regal demeanor. Her attire suggested she was from the Kingdom of Drakon: a high-collared, floor-length coat of cadet gray, under which peeked a form-fitting corset and a carmine skirt. Her ensemble was completed with long sleeves and black gloves reaching her forearms. The Drakonians are famed for their impeccable style, and I couldn’t help but envy her elegance.

Astrid insisted on altering my appearance and attire, a task achieved through the magic of the Drakonian woman. She introduced herself as Fatima, and her gaze shifted with mild distaste at my current attire.

With a deft motion, she transformed my hair from jet black to chestnut brown, assuring me the change was temporary and would revert by midnight. I was relieved; I found comfort only in my usual appearance, despite Astrid’s comment that I now looked quite good.

Astrid, too, was dressed impeccably in a white tunic with long sleeves and a layered green skirt adorned with tassels. A satchel hung from her waist, completing her look.

As we departed the chamber, Talin appeared, strolling along the green pathways. He scrutinized me with a sardonic comment about my appearance. His panther was conspicuously absent; he explained it might attract unwanted attention.

We exited the cave, which vanished as we stepped into the forest. To our surprise, no creatures followed us as we made our way out. Elric then materialized unexpectedly, still not fully dressed, making me wonder if such attire was common among those from the Kingdom of Selene—he was the first I had encountered from there.

Despite the early hour, the streets of the Kingdom of Valor were alive with activity. Lanterns illuminated the paths, and carriages and coachmen offered their services, which we accepted gratefully. Talin preferred we travel as ordinary citizens to avoid attracting attention, rather than using magical shortcuts.

“You know, in our kingdom, we travel by sharks and whales,” Elric remarked as he climbed into the carriage. Astrid quickly hushed him, urging him to be discreet, but he continued to boast about the superiority of his kingdom over Valor, “This transport is dreadfully slow! We should have ridden a turtle.”

As the carriage moved, Astrid took the opportunity to enlighten me about city life, which I had been ignorant of due to my prolonged seclusion. Meanwhile, Talin, seated opposite Elric, remained unusually quiet, a sign he was taking our mission seriously. It was prudent, as we could not afford to draw the attention of patrolling guards or risk imprisonment.

I avoided looking at Talin, but when I did, I found him staring ahead, lost in thought. His sudden change in demeanor puzzled me, recalling his earlier confrontation in the throne room and his seemingly conciliatory behavior afterward.

A suspicion arose; I suspected he was plotting against me, and I knew I had to stay vigilant. Should he make a move, I would retaliate with greater force.

My thoughts turned to finding my brother. Once reunited, we would devise a plan to betray Talin, using his team’s assistance to locate Luke. Despite my vow of silence, I had strategies to collaborate with Luke discreetly. Whenever guilt troubled me, I reminded myself that this alliance was purely strategic.

I was jolted from my thoughts when I struck my head against the carriage roof. Talin’s snort of amusement was apparent, though he would have to endure my company for the day.

We disembarked from the carriage, and the rising sun over the rice terraces momentarily blinded me. We paid the coachman in jades and observed the now-bustling street, which had grown even more crowded since my last visit.

Colorful buntings fluttered overhead, and various stalls lined the streets. The crowd was so dense that each step led to accidental contact with another, making my heart pound as memories of past encounters resurfaced.

The air was filled with the sounds of music and lively chatter. We stopped before a wooden platform where a magician entertained children, and I couldn’t help but smile at his antics. Talin leaned in and whispered, “The Festival for a Bountiful Harvest is held annually in Valor.”

“Oh, forget the ocean. I’m ready to conquer the land!” Elric exclaimed, his attention fixed on a woman leaning against the circus railing, her eyes following him with interest.

Meanwhile, Astrid had wandered off toward a stall selling old booklets. I sighed and returned my focus to the performer. Talin’s presence beside me was undeniable as we continued to walk. “During the festival,” he explained, “households prepare special dishes and welcome guests. Every home is open to visitors.”

I observed the surrounding houses and the flow of people. “That’s remarkable. Who rules this place?” I asked, feigning interest.

Talin’s expression darkened. “I am not close to the King and avoid mingling with those beneath me.” He gestured toward a group of noblemen inspecting the stalls. “Those are the nobles, tasked with ensuring adherence to the kingdom's laws. Violations could lead to labor camp sentences or worse—scrubbing floors or walls, sometimes even licking them clean. I brought you here to familiarize yourself with this kingdom, as your duties will require you to operate here. I urge you to be cautious; a single misstep could land you in such a place.”

“Thank you for the warning,” I replied, somewhat dryly.

“Laugh if you must,” he retorted. “But when you find yourself in trouble, don’t expect any rescue. Your cleverness won’t save you from the consequences.”

“I don’t require saving,” I replied coolly. “It is you who insists on playing the hero, only to belittle me afterward. Should we then consider who the true problem is?” He snorted at my retort, and the thought of eliminating him grew stronger. I needed a plan for his demise once we discovered the relic’s location. I could sense his malevolent intent, a palpable sensation that made keeping him alive impractical.

My thoughts were interrupted by the sight of a ball of fire hurtling toward me. It was too late to move, but just as the flame neared, Talin traced a circular motion with his finger, causing the fire to dissipate.

Talin’s irritation was evident as he turned to a woman performing fire dances nearby. I stared in astonishment as the woman’s terrified gaze shifted to the nobles, who were questioning her and demanding her license to perform magic publicly. But it was not the incident itself that astonished me.

Talin caught my eye, his chestnut eyes locking onto mine, and began to speak, though his words were lost on me as I recalled the runic symbols flashing in his eyes when he glared at the woman.

I blinked, memories of my confrontation with him in the throne room resurfacing. My curiosity about him deepened, but I chose not to ask, fearing he would conceal the truth if it were a secret. I decided to wait for his guard to drop.

Fortunately, my attention was soon diverted by Astrid and Elric rejoining us. Astrid was laden with books, examining them carefully, while Elric grinned as he recounted an encounter with a beautiful, mysterious woman who had vanished. According to him, she was a descendant of Selene.

“Would you care for a book, my lady?” An elderly woman approached me, her voice tinged with nervousness as she offered a dusty tome titled On the Morrow Midnight, Meet Me Where We First Fought. “It’s on sale for 10 jades.”

I declined politely, continuing to walk. Talin’s sigh of irritation was apparent as he noticed my disregard for his explanation. I was about to speak when a realization struck me. I looked back for the old woman, but she had vanished into the crowd.

As the sudden gust of wind swung my hair, a chill ran through me.

The title of the book was not merely a title—it was a message meant for me.