A Man Like None Other (Jared Chance) novel Chapter 6134

In the remote reaches of the Fourteenth Firmament, a place concealed from every chart and rumor brooded in silence.

Inside a cavernous, bone-cold hall, a single Lamp of Fate burned with a murky crimson glow. Without warning, the glass skin of the lamp split and burst, shards and sparks spraying across the stone floor with a brittle crack that echoed off the pillars.

The black-robed elder who had been standing vigil before the lamp jerked upright. Color drained from his face as though the blast had ripped the strength from his limbs.

"Morven's Lamp of Fate… it shattered!"

He shot to his feet and sped toward the depths of the hall, robes snapping behind him as his boots hammered the flagstones.

At the innermost chamber, a figure wrapped in swirling dark-red miasma slowly opened his eyes.

The twin points of light that emerged were icy, devoid of mercy, and carried a feral madness that seemed to gnaw at the air itself.

"Morven is dead?" The words rasped out, harsh enough to grate against stone.

The black-robed elder dropped to his knees, voice shaking. "Yes. Morven's Lamp of Fate is gone… and Quentin's, and Silas's as well. All three fell at the same moment."

The vast hall fell into a suffocating stillness; even the drifting dust felt frozen in mid-air.

After a long breath, the shadowed figure let out a low, chilly laugh that slithered across the silence.

"How entertaining… That Dragon Sovereign Bloodline is proving far more intriguing than I expected."

He rose, and the red mist churned around him like a living cloak.

"Spread the order. Double the search. I want the Dragon Sovereign Bloodline found—wherever it's hiding."

"Yes!"

The black-robed elder bowed once and hurried away, footsteps retreating into the gloom.

The figure stared toward a distant point no wall could bar, a hungry gleam flickering in those pitiless eyes.

"Dragon Sovereign Bloodline… you belong to me."

*****

Outside Sky Dragon Valley, Jared guided Vivian past layer after layer of invisible wards until their feet touched the sacred ground of the Draconians.

Vivian's gaze locked on the sweeping streams of gold draconic energy, on the towering palace carved in the likeness of a coiled dragon, and on the real giants wheeling above the ridges. Words deserted her.

"Th-this… where are we…?" Her voice barely left her throat.

Jared steadied her hand and answered in an even tone, "Sky Dragon Valley, the hidden refuge of the Draconians."

A sharp breath slipped from Vivian's lips, chill and involuntary.

Draconians…

The legendary race existed, and it stood before her eyes.

Images of the three Demon Dragons and of Jared's earlier display flashed across her mind, rearranging every prior certainty she carried.

In that instant she recognized the truth: Jared was indeed Emperor Deragon.

Hadrian had already stationed himself at the valley entrance with several Draconian clansmen. Seeing Jared return with a woman, they hastened forward to receive him.

"Your Majesty, this lady is…?" Hadrian asked, stopping a respectful pace away.

"A friend of mine," Jared replied. "Arrange quarters for her and bring healing elixirs."

Hadrian nodded at once and signaled for attendants to help Vivian to a place of rest.

Before leaving, Vivian turned back. Her eyes lingered on Jared, tangled with thoughts she could not untangle into speech.

Words gathered at her lips, yet none chose to come out.

Jared offered a quiet smile. "Recover first. Whatever needs saying, we'll speak of it later."

Vivian dipped her head and let the Draconian attendants lead her away.

Jared remained where he stood, watching until her figure vanished around a corner; the curve of his mouth slowly leveled out.

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