The next morning, before departing for the southern borders, Kael received Queen Selyna's emissary in the secondary audience hall. It was a more intimate space than the great throne room, but still imposing. Purple drapes, black stone columns, a floor of silver-veined marble.
Kael sat in a high-backed chair, simply dressed, but straight as a blade. Kira stood at his right, Drakk at his left. A few guards flanked the door.
The emissary entered.
She was tall, dressed in shifting silk that passed from blue to green depending on the light. Her hair was pulled into a tight bun, her face smooth, her eyes too pale a grey. She carried a silver casket against her chest.
She bowed with excessive elegance, never lowering her gaze.
"Demon King of the Neverdie Realm, I greet you. My queen, Selyna of the Mirror Waters, sends me to offer her sincerest congratulations on your return."
Her voice was soft, almost liquid.
"Approach," said Kael.
She stepped forward three paces.
"What do you want?" asked Kael.
"My queen simply wishes to ensure you are in good health. And that your kingdom is prosperous."
"It is. And it will be even more so."
"My queen rejoices at that."
"I doubt it."
The emissary smiled.
"Why so much mistrust, my king? My queen has never been your enemy."
"She has never been my ally either."
"Times change. Alliances too."
Kael leaned back in his chair.
"You came with a casket. What's inside?"
"A gift. A reflection."
"A reflection?"
"An ancient mirror, carved from frozen water. It shows what one wishes to see, or what one refuses to look at. Depending on the moment."
"And why offer me such an object?"
"So that you may remember who you are. And perhaps who you could become."
Kael extended his hand.
"Show me."
The emissary hesitated.
"The mirror does not reveal itself so easily."
"Show me."
She opened the casket.
Inside, resting on a cushion of dark velvet, lay an oval mirror, barely larger than a palm. Its surface was not glass, but water—smooth and still, as if holding its breath.
"Look," said the emissary.
Kael leaned slightly.
The mirror stirred.
Shapes drifted within it, vague, without contours. Colors. Shadows. Then a silhouette appeared, seated on a throne of black stone. It was him. But different. Darker. Older. Horns split his brow. His eyes burned with red fire.
Kael didn't flinch.
"What is it supposed to show me?"
"What you could become if you chose it."
"A horned demon?"
"A more ancient version of yourself. More pure."
"More pure?"
"Closer to your nature."
Kael straightened.
"I know my nature."
"Do you? You spent ten years in a human dream. You lived among them. You loved, perhaps."
"Watch your words."
"I merely relay my queen's questions."
"Your queen should concern herself with her mirrors and reflections, not my sleep."
The emissary closed the casket.
"My queen charged me to tell you this: if the Neverdie Realm wishes an ally in the waters, it will find one."
"In exchange for what?"
"Nothing. For now."
"For now?"
"Debts are paid later."
Kael stood.
"Tell your queen that I don't buy alliances on credit. If she wishes to speak to me, let her come herself. And let her leave her mirrors at home."
"You refuse her gift?"
"I refuse her implications."
"That's a pity."
"No. It's prudent."
The emissary bowed again.
"Very well. I will report your words."
"Make them heavy. My patience has limits."
"I don't doubt it, my king."
She stepped back, turned, and left. Her steps made no sound on the marble.
Kira let out a breath.
"She was sinister."
"She's a demon," said Kael.
"Even for a demon."
Drakk stepped forward.
"Selyna is testing the ground. She wants to know if you're still maneuverable."
"She found out. I'm not."
"She'll try again."
"She'll come back. But with more deference."
Kael descended from the dais.
"The mirror. You saw it?"
"Yes," said Kira.
"You too, Drakk?"
"Yes."
"What did you see?"
"Me," said Kira. "But older. And covered in ashes."
"Me," said Drakk. "On a throne of bone."
"The mirror doesn't show the future. It shows fears."
"Then it worked well," said Kira.
"Yes. That's the point."
They left the hall. The purple sun lit the corridors.
"Are we leaving soon?" asked Kira.
"Yes. Prepare the horses."
"And the emissary?"
"She'll leave. Selyna won't dare push."
"You're sure?"
"No. But I believe it."
Kael headed toward his quarters. The notebook awaited him there. And with it, the memories.
But for now, he had a border to inspect.
And a kingdom to defend.