Page 7 of Song of the Heart Scale (The Dragon’s Ballad #3)
DAMIEN
T he wind roared past me and my wings effortlessly sliced through the night sky as I soared toward Obsidian Reach.
Below, the sprawling landscape was dappled in moonlight, the darkened forests and winding rivers mere silver ribbons beneath my dragon form.
The volcanic island loomed ahead, rising starkly from the glittering sea, its jagged peak ominously silhouetted against the starlit sky.
My powerful wings beat steadily, carrying me swiftly toward the mouth of the volcano.
The scent of sulfur and smoke grew stronger as I descended, a familiar, comforting presence despite its harshness.
With practiced ease, I angled my wings and dove sharply into the cavern's wide mouth, flames briefly flickering around me before I landed with a heavy thud on the polished obsidian floor.
As soon as my claws touched stone, I shifted back into my human form.
My body shuddered with the transformation, muscles contracting and reshaping until I stood fully upright.
The cavern was lit by torchlight and shadows flickered against the smooth volcanic walls.
At the far end, pacing restlessly, was my Uncle Bai.
He spun around as I approached, his expression pinched with worry. His silver-streaked hair was disheveled, eyes shadowed by sleeplessness.
“Damien.” He exhaled sharply, visibly relieved yet troubled. “Where have you been?”
I raised an eyebrow, concern edging my voice. “I spent the night at the Ryder residence and then I spent the day at The Gilded Serpent, gathering information. What's happened?”
He hesitated and turned away, tightly clasping his hands behind his back. The silence stretched, thick with tension, until I couldn’t take it anymore.
“Uncle, speak plainly,” I urged, stepping closer. “What’s wrong?”
His troubled gaze flicked back to me. “I’ve just returned from Dragon Valley. There's news—disturbing news.”
My heartbeat quickened at the foreboding tone in his voice. “Disturbing?”
Uncle Bai sighed deeply and looked away once more before finally speaking, his bottom lip trembling. “Damien, the emperor is dead.”
For a moment, the cavern fell utterly silent and the weight of his words hung between us like a tangible force.
My breath caught as disbelief warred with a strange sense of detached sorrow.
Though I'd recently discovered the emperor wasn't my true father, and despite years of animosity and exile, I couldn't deny that his death rattled me.
“Dead?” The single word felt alien on my tongue.
He nodded gravely, his eyes filled with unease and confusion. “They discovered his body this morning. No one knows exactly how or why, and the palace is in turmoil. Rumors are flying, but nothing solid yet.”
I slowly inhaled and absorbed the implications. “No signs of foul play?”
“They’re investigating,” Uncle Bai cautiously replied.
“There’s talk of poison, perhaps illness.
But my brother was healthy, so nothing is certain.
Thorne arrived soon after the discovery and quickly stabilized the court.
He declared himself emperor, and there was little resistance.
No one knows what to think or whom to trust.”
My jaw tightened at Thorne's swift assumption of power, though it was a move I should've expected. Still, I had no desire for the throne. Power had never interested me, least of all ruling an empire filled with secrets, deceit, and endless complications. Yet, the emperor’s mysterious death tugged at something within me—a need for answers.
“I see,” I murmured, processing it slowly. “And Thorne?”
“He’s secure in his position for now,” Uncle Bai carefully admitted. “But he seems as bewildered as anyone by the emperor’s sudden death—or at least, he appears to be.”
I frowned and paced a slow circle around the cavern, deep in thought. The circumstances were odd, suspicious even, but no clear suspects or motives immediately surfaced.
“Do you suspect Thorne?” Uncle Bai asked, clearly reading my troubled expression.
I shook my head slightly, uncertain. “He stood to gain the most, obviously. But he’s already Crown Prince and was next in line for the throne.
Why would he need to kill his own father?
I don’t know… I don’t want to leap to conclusions.
The court has no shortage of enemies, and the emperor had even fewer friends. Anyone could be responsible.”
Uncle Bai watched me, his shrewd eyes filled with curiosity and concern. “Will you look into it?”
I sighed and stared into the flickering torchlight as shadows danced across the volcanic stone.
“I don’t particularly mourn him, given all that’s transpired between us.
But he deserves more than an unresolved death.
And if someone was bold enough to assassinate him, that person poses a threat to more than just the throne. ”
Uncle Bai nodded slowly, understanding. “Then we tread carefully. Whoever did this is cunning and powerful. The court will be more dangerous now than ever.”
“Agreed.” A heavy weight settled over me. The emperor’s death complicated things, adding layers to an already treacherous situation. Yet, beneath my reluctance, determination sparked within me. I needed answers—not for power or vengeance, but for clarity. For closure.
Uncle Bai placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “Whatever you decide, nephew, I’ll stand by you.”
“Thank you,” I murmured, still feeling unsure. “I spent time with Cat.”
“I’m glad you were able to see her. Last night was a prime time to do so, with everyone in Dragon Valley. Is she okay?” Uncle Bai asked.
I snorted. “She’s more than okay. She was throwing a party, for the Immortals’ sake.”
Uncle Bai chuckled. “Sounds about right. She is… different. Of course she’s not from our world, so it makes sense. Now the question is whether this party was in celebration of her upcoming marriage, or to mourn the demise of her future?”
I rolled my eyes. “With Cat, who knows? She mentioned something about strippers . Half the time, I don’t even know what she’s talking about.”
Uncle Bai let out a boisterous laugh and patted me on the back. “Seems like things are relatively well between the two of you, eh?”
I nervously bit my lower lip. “She, uh… asked me to leave with her.”
“Oh? Where?” My uncle raised a bushy brow.
I cleared my throat. “To her world.”
His eyes widened. “What?”
I winced. “I know. It sounds absurd. I didn’t tell her yes or no, but…”
“But you’re thinking about it,” Uncle Bai finished for me.
“Perhaps it’s not so absurd, Damien. Elaria has never been a safe haven for you.
You’ve spent the majority of your life in exile, teetering at the precipice of being killed at the drop of a hat, depending on my brother’s mercurial mood.
That is no way to live. I don’t know anything about the world Cat is from, but… it could be a fresh start for you.”
I frowned. “But I don’t know anything about it!”
“Cat didn’t know anything about Elaria when she arrived here, either,” he countered knowingly. “But she managed. By the Immortals, she learned quickly and adapted, managing to fool just about everyone in the process.”
That shut me up. How could I expect Cat to move to my world, but not do the same for her? It was hypocritical.
“Damien, let me ask you something,” he started. “Do you want to be emperor?”
I scoffed. “By the Immortals, no!”
“Then what keeps you in Elaria?” he asked. “The only thing I would imagine was if you had a sense of responsibility to the people of Elaria, but if you do not wish to take the throne, then what is keeping you here?”
What was keeping me? Familiarity? My uncle? He was right. Other than fear of the unknown, there was nothing here other than danger and bad memories.
“I can’t just leave you here to deal with this mess, Uncle,” I said by way of excuse.
Uncle Bai sighed. “Are you worried about Thorne?”
I nodded. “What if Thorne killed his father? What if he’s actually a usurper? He shouldn’t stay on the throne.”
“Then what? The only Drakonar left would be Julian. Would he be any better?” Uncle Bai questioned.
I chuckled and raised a knowing brow. “Is he the only Drakonar left?”
Uncle Bai frowned. “Pardon?”
“Uncle… you were the legitimate heir before my father usurped the throne. Wouldn’t you just be taking your rightful place?” I asked, hoping he’d agree.
His eyes widened in shock as if the idea had never crossed his mind. “Damien! That was centuries ago!”
“So what? Your brother is gone and now Thorne is ready to steal the throne.”
“You don’t know that, Damien.” His tone was carefully neutral, but he began to pace. “Let’s not worry about this right now. Let’s worry about figuring out how the emperor died.”
“And how to stop Cat’s marriage to Thorne.”
Uncle Bai shook his head. “No worries there. It will be postponed.”
“What? Why?”
He sighed as he sat on one of the stone chairs that dotted the living room.
“There hasn’t been a royal death since your mother passed, so you probably don’t know the protocols, but when a royal family member passes, we mourn for a full year.
That means we cannot have any celebrations within that time frame.
By law, Thorne cannot marry for a full year.
The only celebration that will be allowed – and I say celebration in the mild sense, because it’ll hardly be considered a celebration – will be the passing of power, if he’s officially named emperor. ”
When I heard those words, it felt like a weight had been lifted from my chest. The Immortals had heard my prayers and were blessing us from above.
“This is great!” I shouted.
“Is it?” Uncle Bai deadpanned. “If Thorne becomes emperor, who knows what laws he may change and bend to his will? It would go against the Immortals’ wills, but Thorne may be desperate to marry Cat in hopes of convincing the public that they’re twin flames.”