Kingdom of the Nine: The Princes (II)

Prologue

Amerei Plane, Year 16, Second Era

"My lord, we found this one snooping around the castle." The guards heave the man to the cold, polished marble floor in front of my throne, his body collapsing like a discarded rag doll.

I watch as he lands on his hands and knees, his gaze fixed on the intricate patterns of the floor tiles.

Julian's arms are a tapestry of bruises and cuts, evidence of his futile struggles, blood dripping down his fingers and pooling on the floor beneath him.

"Hmph, Julian, brother, it's been such a long time," I say, my voice dripping with mockery. "It's so delightful to see you again. Although, as the god of logic and wisdom, I wouldn't have thought you to be so foolish as to wander these halls.
Plotting an assassination, l presume?"

He remains silent, his head bowed, hair cascading over his face like a dark curtain shielding his thoughts.

"Well, that silence of yours speaks volumes. Listen, dear brother..." I lean forward, reaching down to brush my fingers over his cheek, a gesture both tender and sinister. "It's all going to be alright, well for me, anyway. I'm going to kill you-slowly... painfully. But there is one thing you can do to make this... less harsh on your frail body. Tell me, where did Draco take the children?"

"As if l'd tell you anything, traitor," he finally spits, his voice strained but fierce. I see his eyes piercing through his tangled hair, a flash of rage igniting within him, yet he knows he's outmatched here. Still, he clings to the illusion of confidence.

"Oh come now, Julian. Don't make such rash decisions before we've begun." I flick my wrist, tossing a dagger that slices through the air with a deadly grace. It pierces his hand and sinks into the marble, his cry of pain echoing against the high, vaulted ceiling, where shadows lurk like watchful spirits.

"I don't even know what you are talking about, Udis!" He cries out, desperation clawing at his voice.

"Don't take me for a fool! I know what l saw. It just didn't sink in the night Chronos died. I was too... distracted by such a wondrous place, such a magnificent throne!" I giggle as I glide my fingers along the armrests of the madium throne, inlaid with precious gems that glint like starlight. "It's just so nice! So perfect, all for me!" My laughter fills the throne room, mingling with the cold air, as if the very stones are alive with my glee.

"You're hysterical," he retorts, sarcasm lacing his words, though I can feel the tension in him, a tightening noose of fear.

"Hmm, not a fan?" I wave my fingers in the air as the dagger pulls back from his hand and floats effortlessly into my palm, the bloodied blade reflecting the torchlight that dances along the walls, illuminating the dark corners of the room.

He winces as the dagger leaves his skin, a fresh wave of pain washing over him.

"I know there was more than one!" I continue, my voice a soft whisper, heavy with malice. "Vermidia has found a dear boy, so far away and alone on Zenot. She already killed poor Zen and poor Eluna. So sad. So don't lie to me about not knowing what your own siblings are up to! I know better! Guards..."

They step forward, seizing Julian by the arms, hoisting him to his feet, dragging him to the edge of the throne. With cruel efficiency, they pull his head back, revealing his neck to me like a ripe fruit ready to be plucked.

I slowly approach, the dagger held poised against his skin, the cold metal a stark contrast to the heat of his fear.

I chuckle softly, a sound that drips with sadistic pleasure. "So, where did Draco take them?"