Page 72 of A Flame of the Phoenix

“I would kill anyone who tried. They know my succession, and while it may be hard for you to believe, I have a select few who areveryloyal to me and will make sure that if anything were to happen to me, my heir would take their rightful place.”

So why are they not here?

Tauria observed his subjects as they continued leisurely through the winding path toward the castle. The buildings were as barren as the land, but not from poverty. Everything just seemed bathed in a dreary hue as if it had long forgotten the kiss of the bright sunlight.

People watched them go by with stunned stares and wary retreats. Though she couldn’t be sure if it was out of fear of Mordecai or uncertainty about her. Would they even know who she was?

She saw several of the glass dome structures Mordecai had mentioned peeking over the stone buildings, and spying the first signs of any vibrancy lit her chest. Oh, how she loved the color green. Tauria had to appreciate that they’d learned how to grow plants and crops when their land itself refused.

“Welcome to my home, Tauria Stagknight,” Mordecai announced as the tall, black wood doors of his castle were opened as they approached.

Despite all the darkness, Tauria found herself stunned by the beauty of his palace. Within was monochrome, but the black-and-white marble floors and pillars were crafted with meticulous artistry. She never thought she’d be walking halls lined with black banners adorning the fanged serpent of the ages-long enemy kingdom of her continent. Though there was a part of her that balked at the sight, the animal stitched into fabric was as proud as any of those representing the kingdoms of Ungardia.

“Do you know why our emblem is a serpent?” he asked, guiding her through his halls.

Tauria had read about it once.

“Your father was among the candidates who put themselves forward to be the first King of Valgard. He was the only dark fae and had no one backing his rule. Though it was decided a trial would prove the one fit to rule, not a vote of popularity. A week before the trial, Vakarys Vesaria was bitten by a serpent, and the venom almost claimed his life. A healer found him on the brink of death. Your mother, I believe. On the night of the feast before the trial, Vakarys, still recovering, attended with the serpent that had bitten him wrapped around his shoulders as if they’d become companions. People would come to believe that was his true test of worthiness, for at that feast, unbeknown to anyone, Vakarys had poised the wine of all his competitors with the same venom from the serpent. Even with healers, none of them survived.”

Mordecai watched her with surprise. “Very good. Now, would you call him cunning, or a cheat?”

Tauria thought about the story again. “One might say neither. To have survived a venom no one else did…perhaps itwas a favor of the Gods. Who are we, mere mortals of their creation, to question their judgment?”

“Lucky then,” Mordecai supplied.

“Fated,” Tauria considered.

“So what does that say about me—his son who would go on to lead the darkest age the land has ever seen?”

“I think it’s not for us to question the why of fate. We are guided by infinite threads we couldn’t begin to fathom. Without evil, there is no good. Without suffering, there is no compassion.”

Mordecai led for a long stretch of silence. Tauria absorbed more of the decor that was as grand as any castle, but the elegance of the black and white was luring her into a sense of calm.

“I find your perceptions fascinating,” he said at last, stopping outside a set of double doors with two guards posted outside. “I have something I must do, but I think you’ll find yourself occupied here. Perhaps you’ll discover more knowledge you can share your thoughts about over supper.”

Tauria knew then he’d escorted her to his castle library, and her excitement surged. Mordecai must have read it on her face, as he almost yielded a smile.

“Do not wander from here. I will send for you later,” he said firmly, not lingering for a moment after.

That left her alone with Edith, and the dark fae matched Tauria’s slowly spreading smile before they entered the library.

True to the dark theme of the palace, the wood of the shelving and the double spiral staircases to the second level were coated in black. The hall was magnificent. The faint clack of Tauria’s shoes was all that echoed as she moved slowly to take in the place.

“Is there anything I can guide you toward?” Edith asked.

Tauria’s eyes fell to her. “You’ve been here before?”

“Oh yes. I spent some of my early youth in these halls before I begged to go to Fenstead.”

Edith had mentioned her father was very powerful. A lord, perhaps? One that had no desire to raise a child and had let her all but raise herself.

“Honestly, I’m trying to get to know Mordecai more. He’s very busy, often leaving me alone, and I would like to take some of that burden to school me about himself and this kingdom off his shoulders.”

Edith hummed, glancing at nothing in particular as she considered where to direct Tauria for such knowledge.

“There are many boring books on the lands of Ungardia, and perhaps they’ll give more detail about Valgard itself, but the true knowledge about Mordecai and his past is likely to be under close guard in his locked study.”

Tauria’s hope deflated. She might be able to catch him inside and glimpse his personal study, but being left alone to scour his books and papers would be near impossible.

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