Nyssa wiped her tears, sniffing as she gave him a trembling look. Oren watched her carefully.
"I followed stealthily and realized you hadn't been killed. Tsk. I knew they would take you to Askye, so I teleported here."
He chuckled. "Even in death, he never stopped thinking of you."
Nyssa closed her eyes and drew in a long breath.
"He loved you."
Nyssa's eyes snapped open, shocked.
"Yes. He never told you, but he did love you. Quite sad." He gave a light shrug, and Nyssa looked away.
She knew Eugene never bothered to tell her because nothing could have happened between them. He wasn't royalty, so her father wouldn't accept him.
Noticing her sudden quietness, Oren coughed dramatically. Her gaze returned to him, and he offered a faint, amused smile.
Nyssa stared at him. "Um… but how did you know the exact cell I was in?"
He coughed again, this time a real one. "My second teleportation today was to the dungeons, because I knew you'd be here. And when I saw some guards taking you in, I cloaked myself and followed."
Nyssa shook her head in amazement. "How are you so… powerful? Why did you tap into forbidden magic?"
It was punishable in Trontine, a death penalty sometimes.
He smirked with a condescending ease. "I don't care about the kingdom. What makes you think I'd care about their stupid rules?"
Nyssa frowned. "How can you say that? Even with its current state? Trontine lies in ruins!"
"As expected." He rolled his eyes and looked away. Nyssa pressed her lips together in quiet anger.
"But… I truly didn't know delving into forbidden magic would affect me this much." He lifted his palm, the small ball of fire hovering above it. "The more I use it, the more my life drains."
Nyssa gasped.
"Now I have to regulate how often I use it. If not…" A sad smile crept onto his face.
"Then why still use it?" Nyssa asked.
He gave her a dull look. "For someone who needs my help, that's quite an odd question."
Nyssa swallowed, looking away.
He took a deep breath. "Before I can teleport again, I need to regain my strength."
A violent cough tore out of him, and blood spilled from his lips.
"Oren!" Nyssa stared at him in shock. He was dying.
"You… you need help," she whispered.
His lips twitched. "I don't really care if I die. This life is already worthless as it is. If I could just do one heroic thing in my life before I go…" His eyes met hers, and he ruffled his dark hair. "I wouldn't mind dying in peace."
Nyssa shook her head. How many more people would die?
"I don't want you to die," she whispered, her eyes welling up again.
"You just met me today." He lifted a brow.
"And you're the only one I have right now…" She broke into tears. "Please…"
His eyes widened slightly. No one had ever cried for him. His lips twitched again.
"I'm not in control of the magic's effect on me."
Nyssa wiped her tears carefully. "Isn't there a way we can escape without teleportation?"
He burst into laughter at her words, and she turned in worry, afraid the guards would hear them, only to remember he had cloaked the cell.
"Oh, Princess, you never cease to amaze me."
Nyssa blinked.
"Do you really think you can escape Damon just like that?" He chuckled. "That man is worse than the devil. He knows the only way to bring him down is magic, and that's why he's fighting it." His smile paled with bitterness.
Nyssa pressed her lips together. "I wish I could kill him." Her voice was laced with venom.
His gaze lingered on her for a moment before drifting to the ring on her finger. His eyes widened.
"You actually married him? I thought he was just a suitor. Doesn't that mean you're now queen?"
Nyssa gave him a questioning look. Everyone in Trontine knew she married Damon. Did he live in the bushes?
" I didn't perform the ritual to become queen. Not that I care."
"Is there a ritual to become queen?"
Nyssa shrugged. "In Askye, yes."
He laughed, startling Nyssa. "But he's smart though. To be able to –"
The fire suddenly vanished.
Nyssa's head snapped toward him. "What just happened?"
Oren's eyes darted in confusion. "I… I don't know." He noticed the cloak had faded as well.
He tried to conjure fire again, but nothing formed. He tried another three times, each one ending in failure.
Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to relax. Maybe tension was blocking it.
"Esleya kanum pathak," he whispered, but the chant dissolved into silence. Nyssa's heart pounded harder.
"I don't understand," he said, exasperated.
Nyssa, her vision dimming in the darkness, scooted closer to him.
"What is it?" She asked.
"My magic isn't working."
Nyssa's heart plummeted. "What?"
…
Heavy boots stomped across the palace's polished floors as a guard and a chamberlain made their way to the Emperor's chambers.
Damon, sitted before a table, pressed the brush he held into the ink bottle, dipping it until the strands were fully coated in black ink.
Then, he dragged the brush across the parchment before him, splashing strokes and shaping symbols, drawing images and writing words.
"Your Majesty," Wulric bowed deeply, the guard doing the same.
Damon clicked his fingers and Wulric hurried inside.
"Your Majesty, the onyx stone has been placed in the cavern room."
Damon nodded and stretched forth his hand. Wulric placed the keys of the cavern on his palm.
Damon grinned, clutching them tightly. "Finally, the Onyx stone is ours, and magic has officially come to an end."
He turned to his men. "This calls for a celebration." He let out a booming laugh, and his chamberlain released a shaky, unsure chuckle as if afraid not to join in.
"Inform the kingdom. A feast will be held to celebrate our victory and Nyssa's execution. Tomorrow, I will address the people."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"