For a moment, the trio stood frozen.
Then the temple priests rushed into the chamber.
Among them was Argon, the High Priest of Colgard.
The old priest immediately spotted Sheila standing in front of Delvin.
Without hesitation, he grabbed her by the hair and dragged her away.
Delvin stared at him as though he had committed a terrible crime.
Surely Argon could not see the dragon.
If he could, Sheila would have been the least of his concerns.
A deafening roar shook the temple.
Every priest immediately fell to his knees.
Every priest except Argon.
The High Priest forced Sheila down and drew a ceremonial knife from beneath his robes.
He pressed the blade against her throat and began chanting sacrificial incantations.
The roar came again.
A dark cloud descended from the ceiling.
Within moments it filled the entire chamber.
The lesser priests immediately began reciting prayers and sacred verses.
A deep voice echoed from within the darkness.
"Release the girl. I am the one who brought her here."
The cloud condensed into a towering humanoid figure.
"I have chosen her to devote herself to me."
The figure paused.
"Therefore, her life shall be spared. She will dwell within this palace and remain pure for as long as she lives."
The chamber fell silent.
Then the voice spoke once more.
"She is my chosen bride."
The cloud slowly began to rise.
Argon released Sheila and immediately fell to his knees.
"Great Lord of the Immortals," he pleaded, "this woman desecrated your temple. Surely she must be punished."
"I have spoken."
The voice reverberated through the room.
"It is your duty to obey. If you choose otherwise, be prepared to face the consequences."
The cloud vanished.
The temple became silent once more.
Sheila immediately scrambled to her feet and hid behind Delvin.
Delvin pinched the bridge of his nose.
"What do you think you're doing?" he muttered. "Do you realize how this looks?"
Then he straightened and faced the priests.
"I believe we have all heard the will of our god."
His gaze swept across the room.
"I shall personally ensure the safety of our esteemed goddess."
The title made Sheila nearly choke.
"We will now take our leave."
Before anyone could object, he took Sheila's hand and led her out of the temple.
Once they returned to the palace, Delvin led her directly to his chambers.
The moment the doors closed, he turned to face her.
"How did you get that mark?"
Sheila folded her arms.
"I have no idea what you're talking about. I don't have any marks except the one your wife gave me."
Then she remembered.
The dragon.
The bite on her neck.
The strange dreams.
The women in black wedding gowns.
A shiver ran through her.
Delvin noticed.
"What?"
She sighed.
"I think I remember."
His eyes narrowed.
"The dragon marked me."
The room fell silent.
Delvin sat heavily on the edge of his bed and removed his shirt.
The sight of his wounds made Sheila flinch.
The claw marks were even worse than she remembered.
Without a word, she entered the bathing chamber and returned with a bowl of water and a clean cloth.
Delvin dipped a finger into the water.
"It's cold."
"It's midday," Sheila replied. "There's no hot water available at this hour. Unless you'd like me to run to the kitchens and wait for a pot to boil."
Delvin glanced toward the door.
Then he scoffed.
A tiny flame appeared above his palm.
Sheila froze.
He lowered his hand into the bowl.
The water immediately began to steam.
Her jaw dropped.
"You use black magic!"
She nearly shouted it.
Delvin immediately covered her mouth.
"Quiet."
As though summoned by the accusation, five guards burst into the room with swords drawn.
Delvin calmly picked up a book from the bedside table and opened it.
"Stand down."
The guards froze.
"She was simply reading this chapter aloud."
The soldiers exchanged confused looks.
Eventually they bowed and withdrew.
The moment the door shut, Sheila stared at Delvin.
And kept staring.
Delvin sighed.
"Please stop looking at me like that."
She continued staring.
"It's making me uncomfortable."
She finally looked away.
Then she set the cloth down and folded her arms.
Delvin blinked.
"Aren't you going to clean the wound?"
"You can create fire with your bare hands."
"So?"
"So heal yourself."
Delvin opened his mouth to argue.
A knock interrupted him.
"The young lady of the King Dowager is here," a guard announced.
"Let her in."
The door opened.
Stel stepped inside.
The first thing she noticed was Delvin's injuries.
The second thing she noticed was his physique.
The third was Sheila sitting on the floor with folded arms and a sulking expression.
Delvin followed her gaze.
Then coughed loudly.
"What brings you here, young lady?"
Stel immediately straightened.
She bowed deeply.
"I came to apologize for my words earlier in the courtyard."
She remained bent forward.
"I am sorry. I spoke without thinking. It will not happen again."
Delvin stood and approached her.
He placed a hand on her shoulder.
Then he laughed.
"I have already forgiven you."
Stel blinked.
"I cannot hold a grudge while preparing to crown my King Dowager next week, can I?"
He returned to his bed.
"My sister has chosen to remain unmarried. Therefore she will become King Dowager."
He gestured toward Stel.
"She requires a young maiden to serve as her ceremonial child."
Stel's eyes widened.
"That role now belongs to you."
A smile slowly spread across her face.
"Make sure you're prepared for the rites."
She bowed again before leaving.
The moment the door closed, Delvin pressed a hand against his wound.
The injury disappeared instantly.
Sheila stared.
The flesh was completely healed.
Not even a scar remained.
Without a word, she grabbed the bowl and stormed into the bathing chamber.
When she returned, she found Delvin staring at a small portrait.
The moment he noticed her, he quickly shoved it beneath his pillow.
Then he cleared his throat.
"You may leave now."
He leaned back casually against the headboard.
Sheila rolled her eyes.
His robes were still hanging open.
Apparently, he hadn't noticed.
"I am your personal attendant."
She folded her hands behind her back.
"I am required to remain by your side at all times."
Delvin stared at her.
Then a slow grin spread across his face.
"You asked for it."
He stretched out comfortably on the bed.
Then he closed his eyes and went to sleep.
Sheila immediately regretted her decision.