Page 116 of Song of the Heart Scale
I’d had enough of the commander’s glib answers.
“You say you don’t believe in superstitions, but what about prophecies?”
Uncle Bai froze. “Damien, don’t—”
I ignored him. With shaking hands, I peeled off my gloves and pulled back the sleeve of my tunic. The flickering lanterns illuminated the skin of my inner forearm, where the intertwined shapes of a dragon and phoenix flared faintly with gold.
Lord Mercer stiffened. “Is that...”
“A twin flame mark,” I confirmed. “The first seen in centuries.”
“And the other bearer?”
“Lady Arya,” I said. “The woman currently rotting in Thorne's dungeons. My mate. My twin flame.”
Lord Mercer went perfectly still. “Are you saying that the prophecy is manifestingnow?”
“Yes.” I stepped closer, my voice low and sharp as steel. “You claim to serve the realm. If so, then serve it. Because that bastard sitting in Dragon Valley doesn’t have a true claim.Ido.”
Lord Mercer slowly rose to his feet.
And then he knelt.
“By flame and by blood,” he intoned solemnly, bowing his head, “I pledge the Nightwing to you, Prince Damien of the House Drakonar, bearer of the true mark.”
Uncle Bai exhaled beside me, both impressed and wary.
Lord Mercer looked up. “I will begin mobilizing the legions immediately. It will take time to organize the officers and supply lines, but I estimate that within the week, we can strike.”
“Make it sooner,” I said. “Every second counts.”
Lord Mercer stood, his face expressionless. “The people will follow if they believe. But understand, Prince Damien—just because you bear the mark doesn’t mean you’re fit to wear the crown.”
“I don’t want the bloody crown,” I muttered.
Lord Mercer smirked. “Good. That means you might actually be worthy of it.” He turned and strode to the door, already barking orders to the attendant standing outside.
Uncle Bai stepped up beside me. “That was reckless.”
“It was necessary.”
He sighed. “You just painted a target on your back even bigger than the one before.”
“I don’t care.”
“And what if the people rise up against you for it? What if the other houses begin to question your motives?”
“Let them question,” I said coldly. “Let them doubt. I don’t need their belief. I need Cat back.”
Uncle Bai stared at me a moment longer, then slowly nodded. “Then may the Immortals be on our side.”
There was no turning back now.
The rebellion had a face.
Mine.
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