Chapter 88

CHARLES

It took all of my willpower to leave the Library of Magic. I could have spent hours in the shelves and aisles, poring over all the ancient tomes and learning about the history of magic. Perhaps somewhere in those dark passageways was the final piece of the puzzle, some sort of weapon I could use to put a definite end to the budding war.

But I had left with the most valuable weapon of all–the real information on Felix’s curse. Although I desperately wanted to take the book about the curse with me, I knew better than to remove artifacts from a magical chamber. I had no desire to end up with a curse myself.

I was sure Felix and Mila were already married. They had likely rushed the wedding to ensure Felix’s survival. It would not be long now before they figured out that their marriage was not enough to break the spell. And from what I’d read in the books, they would never figure out the true solution.

While my army stayed hidden in the mountains, I had one more kingdom to visit and convince to join the cause. I had a feeling this might be my easiest-fought ally yet–the Kingdom of Abernathy.

Abernathy was a small, land-locked sovereignty at the northernmost edge of the Dragon’s Teeth Mountains. Their royal family was also Dragon Knights, but Abernathy had the distinction of being the only kingdom in the world that was entirely composed of Dragon Knights. A majority of the Dragon Knight and dragonrider population lived in Abernathy, which was a source of deep national pride.

Despite this distinction, Fresonia and Abernathy were as far from allies as one could get without being flatout enemies. Abernathy was significantly more traditionalist than my home country, and believed in the superiority of magical beings. My father had always disliked their disdain for normal humans and feared their more extreme views.

Unlike my father, I was not afraid.

Hades and I easily flew past the magical shields that protected Abernathy from any air strikes. The kingdom was barely on any maps, and a few simple spells protected its borders from any poor humans that might stumble across its path. As a Dragon Knight, I had no issue with entry.

The castle of Abernathy rose like a fearsome spike from the green lands below. Dragons of all shapes and sizes circled the towers, looking like birds against the bright sky. I guided Hades into one of the designated landing strips on the castle’s main lawn and made my way inside.

I had only met the Abernathy royal family–namely their patriarch, King Henry–once, and I was quite a few years younger at the time. I could only hope that he would recognize me and at least hear me out.

Ideally, I’d leave with my most powerful ally to date.

To my shock and surprise, King Henry was already in the throne room, as if waiting for me. He raised a curious eyebrow in my direction as I approached and bowed.

“Your Majesty,” I began, “forgive my intrusion. I am–”

“Prince Charles of Fresonia,” the King interrupted. I looked up at him in surprise. “I could sense your presence as soon as you flew past the shields. I suppose you are here to convince me to join your little army.”

I frowned. “With all due respect, sir, how do you know about my army?”

The King looked me up and down for a moment before smirking. “I have spies everywhere, son. It’s my job as a monarch to keep close tabs on all my fellow Dragon Knights. I heard all about your little misadventures with your brother’s fiancée. Tell me, do you actually intend this coup, or is this all about petty revenge for you?”

I knew better than to look startled. It was good for me, at least, that he was revealing so much of his hand upfront. “It may have started as revenge, but I take this calling very seriously.”

The King nodded thoughtfully. “I can tell. Otherwise you would not have come here. Fresonia and Abernathy have long been… less than friendly with each other.”

“I do not share my father’s views on Abernathy,” I assured him. “Believe me, I spent many a day growing up asking him why we could not simply reveal our truth to the Fresonian people. His throne is one of lies. The people do not really know him.”

King Henry grinned. “It is very unusual for a prince to rebel against his family, no matter how much he may disagree with their views.”

“I am nothing more than a second son to them. A spare, at best,” I admitted. “They will never truly respect me. That is ultimately the reason I chose to leave.”

King Henry said nothing, merely staring me down. He was an extremely powerful man, and he knew how to intimidate.

Unfortunately for his tactics, I had been raised around extremely powerful men my whole life. This was nothing new to me. A little eye contact would not break me.

As if sensing my resistance, King Henry leaned forward. “You really do mean business then.”

“Of course I do,” I said.

The King finally rose from his throne and made his way down to me.

“I am willing to create an alliance with you,” he said slowly. “I believe that we can help each other’s causes tremendously.”

I could not stop myself from blurting out, “Your cause?”

The King smirked. “Of course. A true ruler always has a mission. Come, son. Let me show you.”

I followed the King out to a large balcony overlooking Abernathy below. Rows and rows of perfectly neat houses, each with a large stable in the back–big enough for dragons. The kingdom stretched for a few miles in every direction, and from this vantage point, I could see even more dragons dotting the skies.

“Abernathy is a perfect utopia,” King Henry said with pride. “A place where Dragon Knights do not have to hide. We are the superior beings, after all, why are we the ones forced into the shadows?”

I nodded enthusiastically. “I could not agree more.”

“It is my dream,” the King continued, “for the principles of Abernathy to spread across the world. Dragon Knights are easily strong enough to take over the world’s population. We have bowed to human beings for far too long. It is high time they bow to us.”

I studied him for a moment. “And if they do not bow, Your Majesty?”

A wicked smile spread across the King’s face. “They will burn.”

A shudder went down my spine. But not one of fear. One that felt, in fact, quite similar to pleasure.

The prospect of such great power… it was intoxicating. Not only could I rule Fresonia, I could take down the rest of the stupid human world around me. No one would overlook me anymore.

I would rule them all.

“Count me in, Your Majesty,” I said. “I see no reason as to why we should hide away.”

The King slapped my back in approval. “I knew you were a good man, Charles. I’m thrilled to have you on my side.”

I smiled up at him. He was clearly excited to have me as an ally. As we walked back into the castle, discussing army movements and the best course of attack on Fresonia, hope began to bloom in my chest. Maybe we could really do this–take down my family and start a new world.

It was almost like having a father again.