Chapter 186
“Stay calm, Ysaa. You need to keep your composure.”
Taking a steadying breath, she forced her voice into icy clarity.
“Whatever bloodline you’re hunting for, I have no special abilities. You’re wasting your time.”
“Such harsh words! You’re only lower priority than Tennilath because I lack proof—but if I’m right, you carry the rarest blood in the world.”
“Why would you think that?”
“You truly don’t know?”
“If I knew, I wouldn’t be asking.”
Triennene paused, studying her with unnerving focus, as if weighing her honesty. Then—
“Have you never wondered?”
He tilted his head, theatrically puzzled.
“How the Emperor, driven mad by his own power’s backlash, suddenly regained his sanity. And right after you returned to Uzephia.”
“…Backlash? You’re saying the Emperor was insane?”
“Oh my.” He clucked his tongue. “You really know nothing. It’s not common knowledge, but for the mate of a Tennilath…”
Ysaris bit her lip. Even if it was an open secret, admitting her husband had controlled all information felt like betrayal.
Triennene, indifferent to her tension, waved a hand. “Simply put, Tennilath’s bloodline ability corrupts the mind the more it’s used. A magnificent power, with magnificent side effects.”
“No wonder he seemed utterly deranged…” Runellia muttered, ignored by both.
“Nightmares, paranoia, violent impulses—the Emperor was this close to tearing his own empire apart before you returned. We expected him to self-destruct within months. Yet here he is, stable, even now.”
Of course. If Kazhan and Jebiken had noticed, why wouldn’t others? Especially a dark mage who’d spent decades hunting for a lost purifier.
Even without Duke Barilio pointing directly at the Empress, the clues were there.
Triennene had prioritized securing Tennilath’s blood first—but Ysaris’ unexpected arrival was a delightful bonus. Hence his generous explanations.
“There’s only one way to neutralize the backlash,”
He whispered, spinning his dagger with practiced ease.
“The presence of someone with a complementary bloodline ability.”
“…And you think that’s me.”
“Precisely! A very plausible theory, don’t you think?”
The dagger gleamed. Ysaris’ mind raced.
“My worst nightmare… is you leaving me to die alone, Ysaa. I still dream of it.”
Kazhan’s confession hadn’t been a lie. If his nightmares vanished when she slept beside him… Triennene’s guess held weight.
But understanding didn’t mean accepting. Kidnapped by the Imperial Consort, dragged into a conspiracy about her blood—it was too much.
“Enough chatter!” Triennene sang, seizing her wrist. “Time for a sample!”
“—!”
She recoiled, then forced herself still. Better to feign compliance. Wait for an opening.
As the blade descended—
Ting!
A translucent barrier repelled the dagger. Her wedding ring—once just a beautiful trinket—now pulsed with soft light.
“It took time to commission the Mages’ Tower for protective enchantments. I never wanted you harmed again.”
Kazhan’s contingency plan had activated.
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