Chapter 203: A Friendly Dinner Chat

Chapter 203: A Friendly Dinner Chat

Stryg arrived at his home in the Scholar District near sunset. His training session with Cornelius Rotrusk had lasted longer than expected. On the bright side, he had been able to practice his green magic. His flora and stone spells were advancing steadily, but it was still too slow for his liking.

The first thing he did when he got home was to head over to the stables and check on Rhian. To his mild surprise, she was asleep; taking a beauty nap or so the stablehand Gwen had said.

Stryg walked quietly over to Rhians bed and wrapped her silk blanket over her. She stirred and mumbled something about a siren, before going back to sleep. Stryg sat next to her for a few minutes, he stroked her dark hair, and simply enjoyed the unpolished silence.

Goodnight, Rhiannon, he whispered.

Stryg stood up and left the stables, careful to not make any loud noise. He thanked Gwen for caring for Rhian, then headed over to his apartment.

He could smell the potato beef stew before he even opened the door. Stryg stepped inside the apartment and took a deep breath.

This smells nice, he thought. Strange, but nice.

Feli? he called out.

In here, she said.

Stryg walked over to the kitchen and found Feli sitting at the dinner table. Several open books, dozens of papers, and a couple of ink bottles were strewn about the table.

Feli looked up from her work, brushed her purple hair aside, and smiled, Hey, you. How was your day?New novel chapters are published on

Stryg recalled his loss to the new girl at the race track. Uneventful.

He glanced over at the stew pot hanging over the brick stove. Did you buy the stew?

Feli twisted her lips in a mock scowl, What makes you think I didnt cook it myself?

I dont smell any of your usual herbs in the air.

She sighed dramatically, Fine, you caught me. I was hoping to pass it off as my own and impress you with my new and improved cooking skills.

He blinked, But I already like your cooking.

Stryg, you like everyones cooking. So long as it isnt spicy youll eat anything. Your culinary opinion isnt - how should I say? - accurate.

Stryg served himself a bowl of soup and sat across from his wife. Back when I was growing up we rarely ate this well.

How is it? she asked.

He ate a spoonful and savored the aftertaste, I like it.

And?

...I like it?

Ugh, whatever. One of Lady Maeve Moras couriers brought it over. The stew was made by her personal chef. She also sent a letter along with the food. Something about not wanting me to go hungry since Ive been so busy organizing the new shipments from Frost Rim.

Huh, thats nice of her.

Feli rolled her eyes, Yeah, the vampiress sleeping with my husband is a swell gal.

He suspected there was an insult hidden somewhere in her tone, but he couldnt find where.

Feli glanced at her ledger and groaned, Lady Mora is a talented businesswoman, Ill give her that. I dont know how she manages to keep track of everything. Ive learned a lot from her these past few months.

Im glad you two are getting along.

Dont push it.

...Right, he smiled wryly. By the way, I really appreciate you taking the time out to read to Rhian every night, I know I haven't been able to these last few weeks.

Im not generous. If I was, I would have helped you escape this city. Not that there would be anywhere for you to go. You betrayed your Cairn tribe. No tribe worth their salt would take in a traitor.

You made me betray them! Lysaila roared. I had no choice but to kill them to protect you!

Feli jumped out of her chair, afraid of what the deadly lamia might do.

Stryg stood up and walked over to Lysaila. She backed away as he neared.

Just the same, Stryg whispered. You betrayed the Cairn. You have no place left in Dusk Valley but here.

Lysaila trembled, anger and fear raging inside her, ...For how long?

What? Stryg asked.

How long will I be here until Lord Noir or some other high-up decides Im no longer valuable? Lysaila asked. I havent given them any information since Ive arrived. I dont think Lord Noir is the kind of person who would keep around a useless prisoner.

Stryg shook his head, No ones going to execute you if thats what you mean.How do you know that?

Because I made sure of it, Lord Noir gave me his word. As I said, I dont know the full effects of our bond. Id be an idiot to let them feed you to the walls shades. Its also why no one has taken you away for torture. No one will be able to force information out of you.

Thats not exactly true, is it? she muttered. If you wanted to know anything about me, all you would need to do is ask. Id be compelled to answer.

Stryg looked away, ...Im already busy enough making you eat and ordering you not to kill anyone here. Your mind and its secrets are your own.

Lysaila laughed bitterly, Say what you want but I cant even go to sleep without making sure youre safe in bed. Do you have any idea what thats like? For your own mind to be overridden by an overwhelming compulsion to protect your enemy?

She stared at her trembling hands, You act like you somehow care about my well-being, but the truth is Lysaila of the Amber Realm died last winter the moment she met you. You killed her. The person in front of you is just a husk, a shadow of the woman who was proud to be a lamia. Every day I feel a piece of myself slowly slip away, my anger turning into devotion for a being I know I despise. Soon, I will be reduced to a mere weapon, unable to escape the dictations of her sovereign. And it will all be because of you. You, Stryg of Ebon Hollow, will kill the last remnants of who I am as an individual.

He swallowed, You dont know that. And Im not here to dictate your life.

Yet, you force me to eat.

Youd starve otherwise.

My death should be my choice, not yours.

Not if youre this citys prisoner.

Lysaila smiled ruefully, I wonder how long you will tell yourself that lie? How long before you choose to use your abilities? That purple true mage friend of yours uses his magic to control his pets and no one cares, in fact, they applaud him for his abilities. After all, thats what a mage does. They use their powers to exert their will on the world, no matter the costs. Beast-kin have always been on the receiving end, we didnt ask to be born, to be made weapons for your battles.

I didnt create your kind, Stryg frowned.

But your kind created mine. Ive walked the streets of Hollow Shade, Ive seen how beast-kin are treated, at worst were treated like cattle, at best were treated as pets. Let me make it clear now, before I lose my sense of self, I want you to know, I hate all of you. From the youngest baby born in the slums of the Commoner District to the eldest aristocrat sleeping comfortably in his mansion. I wish youd all be fed to shades of the wall you all so admire.

Stryg narrowed his eyes, ...Are you done?

Lysaila sighed deeply, the rage of her body slipping away, I know my time is short. My ancestors have passed down stories of how the prime edict spells take their course. One day, whatever is left of my existence will devote its entire life to you. What will you do then? What will you say to the broken person Ive become? Will you reject my existence or use it for the purpose the Mortem created me for?

I...I dont know, Stryg mumbled.

Lysaila leaned towards him, Death is my only escape from that cursed fate. So, please. Let. Me. Die.

Stryg turned away, I dont know what might happen if you die, how our bond might physically or mentally affect me I cannot give you what you want.

So youd damn me instead? Lysaila snarled.

Stryg spun around, his lilac eyes cold, Would I let an enemy be damned to protect myself and my tribe? In a heartbeat, without a second thought.

Lysaila hissed, You

Feli cleared her throat, So, um, who wants wine?