I waited, resisting the urge to pace as Elixander, Dagor, and Durrick hunched over the table in deep concentration. The air in the chamber felt thick with magic.

  Elixander's hand shot out to gesture toward Seraphina. "Daughter, your assistance, please."

  Seraphina stepped in without hesitation and placed one slender hand beside her father's. The other clutched her staff with the Star of Luminas on top. Its normally inert gem glowed brighter as she added her power to the ritual.

  The magic built gradually until suddenly a blinding flash filled the chamber. I threw my arm up to shield my face, and when I lowered it, the room had returned to its warm lantern glow. The only evidence of what had transpired was the faint smell of ozone and the heavy breathing of the four spellcasters.

  Elixander slumped back, sweat beading across his forehead. I hadn't known the elf for long. I had never seen him look that exhausted. He lifted both gems—the Heart of Shadows and their new creation—and examined them carefully.

  "I believe we have completed the transmutation. Now, to find out," his weary voice said.

  Triolux stepped forward. "May I?" he asked, extending his hand toward the gems.

  Elixander nodded and handed them over.

  Triolux held both gems, one in each palm. His face remained expressionless, but his posture suggested deep concentration. After several moments, he gave a definitive nod.

  "It appears the transference was successful," he announced. "The signature patterns in both gems match in strength and structure."

  "Let's find out," I said, reaching for the Heart of Shadows.

  I slipped the chain over my head and let the pendant fall against my chest. Usually, the transformation happens almost instantly, but this time, nothing changed.

  One second passed. Two. Three.

  Panic rose in my throat. Had we failed? Would I be stuck in this hideous form forever?

  Then, gradually, the familiar tingle of magic washed over me. My form shifted, bones and skin rearranging until I stood before them as Varix again.

  I released a long breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding. "Did it work?"

  "You look much better," Seraphina observed with a smile. "The gray pallor didn't suit you. Nor me." She shook her head.

  "Indeed," Elixander agreed. "Your true form is restored—or should I say your preferred form."

  "This is what I really looked like in my other world." Mostly. I have much better hair on Mythralon. "I'm so relieved it worked."

  "Excellent," Dagor said. "Now we can focus on helping your friend without compromising your identity."

  "Thank you," I said and turned to each of them. "All of you. This means more than you know."

  "It was the right thing to do, Varix," Elixander said softly.

  Seraphina shook her head. "I feel like I just had a master class. Father, your power is immense."

  "It has been earned over centuries. Someday, you may be just as powerful, daughter."

  It never failed to impress me that Elixander had accepted Seraphina after learning she was like me, a transmigrated soul from another world. But here he was, teaching her and treating her like his own.

  I glanced around our little group. Everyone looked spent—Elixander's normally immaculate appearance was disheveled, and even Triolux seemed to move with less fluidity than before.

  "What now?" I asked no one in particular.

  Elixander straightened his robes. "We should go to the palace, as the king has offered us lodging. I can have our things picked up from the inn and delivered. I need rest."

  An exhausted group made the journey back through the library. The faces of visitors barely glanced up at us, but I still studied each one in case some sign of Morthisal had begun to poke through.

  I squinted and blinked rapidly as we stepped outside. We had walked a dozen or so feet away from the library when Elixander brought us to a halt.

  Dagor and Durrick exchanged glances before Dagor spoke up. "This is where we part ways, friends. Our duty calls us back to the temple."

  "May the forge eternal guide your hammer strikes," Durrick added with a respectful bow.

  "Your assistance was invaluable," I said, clasping forearms with each of them in turn. "I won't forget it."

  The dwarven brothers bowed slightly to Elixander and Triolux before they departed. Elixander followed them briefly, engaged in quiet conversation, then broke away and returned to our group.

  I turned to Seraphina, who swayed slightly on her feet, and pulled her closer so she could lean against me.

  "You're exhausted," I murmured.

  "I'll be fine," she replied. "The magic required more than I expected."

  "You were magnificent," I said.

  She smiled faintly. "Thank you, love."

  Elixander returned, his gait slow but purposeful. "Shall we proceed? I know the way to the palace from here."

  Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author's preferred platform and support their work!

  "Let's go," I said, trying to sound enthusiastic, but feeling like a cart had run over me. I hadn't participated in the ritual, but the hangover still had its hooks in me despite the earlier restorative.

  We made our way to the train station in comfortable silence. The city buzzed around us. Merchants hawked their wares, children played in side streets, and the everyday bustle proceeded around us.

  We reached a station as trains arrived and departed. Elixander eyed each one until he found a symbol he recognized. We boarded and found seats in a nearly empty car. Seraphina rested her head against my shoulder as soon as we sat down, and her breathing became deep and even almost immediately.

  "Seraphina is stronger than she knows," Elixander said quietly from across the aisle.

  I nodded, careful not to disturb her. "Will she be alright?"

  "Proper rest will restore her. She was a conduit for the Star of Luminas. The power transference was quite hard on her."

  "I'm fine. I just need a little nap and I'll be ready to hang out with the dwarves again. We'll drink until dawn," Seraphina interjected.

  "You can't be serious," I sputtered.

  Seraphina opened her eyes and looked up at me. A gentle smile played across her lips.

  I couldn't help but laugh.

  The train lurched forward to begin its journey toward the palace.

  "We'll be there soon," Elixander said, breaking the silence. "The palace staff have already prepared rooms for us."

  "Thank you," I said, "for everything."

  He nodded, his expression softening slightly. "Rest now. We all need it."

  Although I also needed rest, there was only one thing that would make me feel better while Seraphina slept.

  I needed to cook.

  The gentle rocking of the train and the events of the day caught up with me and I closed my eyes, but my nap was brief.

  The train slowed as it approached the station, wheels screeching against the tracks. Through the window, I glimpsed the Royal Palace Station—a grand structure of white marble and gold trim that gleamed in the afternoon sun. Guards were stationed at both ends of the tracks.

  The train came to a complete stop with a final hiss of steam. Seraphina stirred beside me, blinking away her short nap.

  "We're here," I said.

  As we stepped onto the platform, a figure materialized from between two pillars as if she'd simply stepped out of the shadows themselves. Kara, the king's personal guardian, stood before us in her dark leather armor, her face impassive.

  "Good afternoon, Kara," I said with a nod.

  She offered me a short bow and acknowledged the others with a brief dip of her head. "This way," she said, gesturing toward a large marble door with two well-armed and armored guards standing on either side.

  Seraphina turned to stare at me with a quizzical look. I shrugged and took her hand in mine.

  "How did you know we were on the way?" I asked as we fell into step behind her.

  "We have watchers," she replied quietly, not breaking stride. "That is why you were not challenged along the way."

  Kara led us into the palace, and through a series of hallways, each more ornate than the last. We passed through several doors guarded by soldiers who straightened at Kara's approach. Finally, we emerged into the palace proper, where sunlight streamed through tall windows onto polished marble floors. After a few more passageways, all lined with exquisite art, we arrived.

  "Your accommodations, Varix and Seraphina" Kara announced as she stopped before a set of ornate double doors. She pushed them open to reveal our quarters.

  The room that greeted us was opulent and far larger than I had expected. Plush velvet furniture in deep blues and purples dotted the space. A separate bathroom, visible through an archway, contained a tub large enough for three people. A huge four-poster bed, draped in silks and heaped with pillows of various sizes and textures, dominated one wall.

  “This is fine,” I said.

  "His Majesty welcomes you to stay as long as you wish." She turned to me, made another bow, and nodded at Seraphina. "Have a pleasant evening. I'll escort Elixander and Triolux to their quarters in a moment. You can find them at the end of this hallway.”

  "Thank you, Kara." I told her, and waved as she led the others away.

  "Get some rest," Elixander said as he waved back.

  After they departed, and I closed the door, Seraphina stared at me, her brow furrowed. She shook her head slowly. "She bowed to you at the train station, as well. What's that all about?"

  I shrugged nonchalantly.

  "This room is something else. Wow."

  "This is too much," she said, gesturing at our surroundings.

  "It does seem a little over the top," I replied as I walked in and ran my hand along the velvet of a nearby chair. "But, I'm here for it.”

  Seraphina laughed. "Why? Just because you're friends with the king?"

  "We're both friends of the king," I said.

  "I know, but this is the kind of room he would give to a visiting member of royalty."

  I looked down at the floor, swallowed loudly, and said, "About that. I need to show you something."

  "What?" she asked.

  "Look, I protested this quite firmly, I can assure you. I didn't want this, but King Alister is not very good at taking no for an answer." I pulled out the packet of papers I'd kept in my inner pocket.

  The wrapper was supple leather with a royal stamp embossed on the outside. I opened it carefully and five of the king's coins tumbled onto the bed. I quickly scooped them up, but Seraphina's face had already registered shock.

  "What in the world?" She gasped.

  "I captured the dark lord," I explained, trying to keep my voice steady. "It was a reward. Also, there's some money to help me start in my new…um, station."

  "But that's a bloody fortune!" Seraphina took the documents from my hands and her gaze scanned the official text. "Varix. What did you do?"

  "I didn't do anything," I said. "The king granted me that title."

  Seraphina's mouth dropped open. "Do you know what this means?"

  "Makes me important, I guess?" I shrugged again.

  She turned to face me fully. "You've been granted the title of Lord Commander. It's one of the highest stations someone not of royal blood can hold."

  "I guess I'm fancy," I said with a half-smile.

  "You're also now as powerful as a baron."

  "I know," I replied, meeting her gaze.

  She studied the papers and gently shook her head. "Amazing. So now you have a way to beat the baron. You can shake this at him."

  I nodded but looked away and sighed. "I could do that … show him this document, rub it in his face, and laugh at his shocked look. But I feel like that won't solve the fundamental problem. He has it out for me and has already proven that he will do almost anything to undercut my business."

  "So what are you planning to do? Have Frostfire stomp on his tavern?"

  "No, something even crazier." I turned to Seraphina. "I'm going to go to his home and talk to him. I'll try to reason with him. Even my new title will only stop the Baron for a limited time. The king himself ordered the baron to cease messing with my business, and it lasted for all of a week. I need to find out what in the hell this guy has against me."

  Seraphina laughed. "Do you think that will work, Lord Commander?" She simpered the last two words.

  "It's worth a try. And if it doesn’t work, I can throw this in his face and have Frostfire raze his business to the ground." I shrugged.

  Seraphina chuckled again. "That is the most Varix thing you've ever said."

  "I'm about to do you one better."

  "Oh?"

  "Yeah. I need to blow off some steam."

  She scoffed and looked at the bed. "Later, please. After some rest, love. Although, I'll be sleeping with a Lord Commander. That is kind of hot."

  I shook my head and said, "Later sounds great to me. No, I was going to say that I need to calm my brain down, and there's another way to do it. I need to cook."

  RR book. Thanks for all your votes!