Kai suppressed rising vomit and glanced at Rusk. Rusk was relaxed - having no fear destroyed his sense of danger and self-preservation. The two guards gripped their poleaxes with ill intent. Blades angled towards Kai and Rusk.

  “Stand down,” Alira ordered.

  “My Lady—” the giant guard began.

  “These aren’t my companions. They’re my friends. They travelled all this way to see me.” Her cold eyes locked on Kai. “What else would you call them?”

  The smaller guard opened his mouth to speak. Nothing came out. The giant had similar troubles. They returned to flank the gates, poleaxes pointing at the sky.

  Kai’s eyes narrowed as his hand left his sword. “Alira.”

  “Kai.” Alira smirked, studying them. “And Rusk.”

  “That’s me,” Rusk said - like they hadn’t just been inches from painting the cobblestones red. Alira kept smirking, like this was all a friendly joke.

  Kai shook his head. “You almost got your loyal guards killed, my lady.”

  She laughed. The sound was pleasant. With the danger past, he studied her. She wore a long blue silk dress.

  Graceful and surprisingly fashionable. However, she wore a wide-brimmed hat that blocked the sun. Flower patterns marred its surface.

  Too many colours, too many flowers, too much chaos. It ruined an otherwise beautiful outfit.

  Kai suppressed a sigh.

  Is her fashion sense really this bad? Why doesn’t anyone tell her?

  Rusk glanced at the hat, shook his head and clasped his hands in prayer.

  Alira approached them. She raised her chin and stared down her nose at Kai. “Hmph. You seem weaker than before. Maybe my guards would’ve torn you a new hole.”

  Kai stroked his silver ring. “Appearances can be deceiving, my lady.”

  “Indeed,” she replied, examining him from head to toe. Her smirk vanished. The icy gaze returned. It became clear why nobody had informed her of her fashion missteps.

  “Come inside,” she said. “We mustn’t stand out here like ruffians.”

  Kai nodded. They followed her through the domineering iron gates.

  The castle grounds were beautiful. Trees bloomed, drinking the red sunlight. Frost adorned their leaves. A constant chill permeated the area.

  The cobblestone path was pristine, as if cleaned daily. White flowers lined the path, defying the cold.

  Snowflakes drifted from the castle towers. The castle stood dangerously close to the cliff’s edge. Advantageous position but dangerous. No path of retreat. But no path for the enemy to flank them.

  A boss’s dream fortress.

  No running. No surrender. Just death or victory.

  No backstabbing made battles straightforward. In theory, the castle lord could flank attackers.

  More advantages than disadvantages.

  The castle made the Serpent Mob compound look like a shack. A scattering of soldiers rushed through tasks.

  Few soldiers. All preparing for trouble.

  The surroundings warped as they neared the castle. The chill sharpened. Kai tensed, recovered, hid his discomfort. Or so he thought. Alira raised an eyebrow and glanced at him.

  “Feeling the chill?” she asked.

  “Nothing I can’t handle,” Kai said.

  Snow thickened near the castle. The weather, temperature, atmosphere changed - the castle existed in its own space.

  Words escaped before Kai caught them. “A Domain.”

  Alira nodded. “Impressive. Only nobles know about Domains. Anyone who discovered their existence died soon after.” A smile graced her lips. “But I guess you’re full of surprises, aren’t you?”

  Kai ignored her veiled threat and overt condescension.

  “Knowledge is a gift, my lady,” he said. “I’ve always been a fast learner. My former master said I absorbed knowledge like a sponge.”

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  “Former master?” Alira said. “Did he die?”

  Kai’s jaw tightened. “Not yet.”

  “But he will,” Rusk added. “The threads of fate are never wrong.”

  Kai liked that - his revenge guaranteed by fate. He only had to avoid decomposing into ashy bones and return to Earth. Easier said than done.

  But considering he’d been sacrificed and reborn as an undead, he’d survived worse. Well, survived was debatable.

  “A shame your former master faces such a terrible fate,” Alira said as she pushed the castle doors open.

  “No shame,” Kai said, “as long I see him before he dies.”

  She studied him. “Interesting.” Her gaze shifted to Shadow. “I assume your Demon Wolf will behave himself?”

  Kai glanced at the dark wolf. “Demon Wolf?”

  Alira stopped at the open doors. “You know noble secrets but not what lives in the forest?” She scoffed. “Your Guardian has curious priorities.”

  Kai shrugged. “Wanna trade?”

  Alira’s chin rose. “You’re hardly in a position to be flippant.” Kai stayed silent. She gestured at Shadow. “These dark-furred Demons are vicious and cunning. They hunt abominations and other Demons in the wilds.”

  She sighed. “I asked father for one, but they’re notoriously dangerous and stubborn. Will he be trouble?”

  Kai shook his head. “He listens to me. There won’t be trouble unless I want it.”

  Alira studied him again. “How did you tame him?”

  “He tried to eat me.” He bent to stroke Shadow’s head. “I offered a better deal.”

  “If he goes wild inside…” Alira shrugged. “I won’t be able to save any of you.”

  Kai met her gaze. “Then we’d better not give him a reason to go wild.”

  Alira turned and entered the castle.

  Kai frowned. “Wait - you allow Demons inside as long as they behave?”

  Alira glanced back. “You vouched for him, didn’t you? He’s not so different from a Dark Horse.”

  “Dark Horse?”

  Alira released a long breath. “I assume you didn’t travel all this way for a bestiary lesson. Are you coming inside, or must I explain how to use a door?”

  Kai straightened and offered a token bow. “Thanks for sharing your wisdom, my lady.”

  They passed through the doors into a narrow hall.

  Pillars flanked them on either side. Their footsteps echoed across the stone floor. Wooden doors concealed rooms on both sides.

  Alira chose a door and stopped. She pushed inside. Oil lamps bathed the room in an orange glow.

  A well-fed man sat behind a desk in an ornate chair. He held a wooden pipe, smoke billowing across the room. His receding blue hair was striking. His blue beard was even more impressive.

  “Father,” Alira said, surprised. “What are you doing here? I thought you were—”

  Lord Nivisara raised a hand. “Calm down, Alira. Can’t a father be curious about his daughter’s friends? Especially the one that—”

  “Father,” Alira interrupted. “Thank you for showing interest.” She sighed. “But I think my friends want privacy. Isn’t that right?” Alira looked at Kai. He nodded.

  Lord Nivisara laughed. “I’m too busy to stay anyway. I just wanted to meet your friends. Isn’t it my duty to monitor the company you keep?”

  Lord Nivisara rose from his chair. His enormous smile dampened any intimidation from his large frame. He brought his pipe to his lips, inhaled, and blew a cloud of smoke.

  His gaze locked on Kai. “Welcome. Thank you for accompanying my impulsive daughter through her First Trial.”

  Alira tensed, head lowering.

  Lord Nivisara continued. “She couldn’t wait. Had to do things her way.” He shook his head. “What a headache. But she’s still a jewel in my eyes. Parents can’t help loving their children.”

  He gestured to Kai and Rusk. “I’ve heard little about you. Why don’t you introduce yourselves?”

  Kai bowed with appropriate reverence and massaged the truth. “My lord, I’m Kai. Your daughter was invaluable during the trial. She saved my life.”

  Rusk followed Kai’s lead. “My lord, I’m Rusk, son of the castle blacksmith. I agree with Kai. Alira was vital to our success.”

  Lord Nivisara nodded. “Your father just finished Alira’s new armour. Impressive work, as always.” His eyes met Alira’s. “Your friends speak highly of you.”

  “As they should, Father,” Alira replied.

  “Your humility knows no limits.” Lord Nivisara said. “So, Kai, what god do you believe in?”

  Kai remained calm. He expected this.

  “Dad,” Alira protested.

  Kai didn’t buy it.

  Alira had definitely told her father about his Gift. Most Marked worshipped the god who gave them their Gift. Naming your god revealed your cards.

  He could admit his connection to Space God - revealing himself as a fool or smart enough to know Alira had exposed him. But why not dodge the question entirely?

  “I believe in all of them, Lord Nivisara. Their existence is undeniable.”

  Lord Nivisara laughed again. “Smart boy.” He glanced at Alira, then back at Kai. “I like that. She does too.”

  “Father! Shouldn’t you get back to work?”

  “Yes, yes. You’ll have your privacy. But I’m old, and I’d like to see you married before I die.”

  “Enough!” Alira's voice cracked.

  Kai’s eyes widened. He studied her reaction. Her cheeks flushed, her eyebrows furrowed. Her father laughed.

  “I’m just saying.”

  “You’ve said enough,” Alira said. “Now please, Father.”

  “I’m going, I’m going,” Lord Nivisara said, moving toward the door. He glanced at Shadow but said nothing. His rapid footsteps echoed in the hall.

  Interesting.

  Alira’s frustration was rare. He savored the moment. But Lord Nivisara’s words unsettled him.

  There were two reasons for him to let his daughter marry a penniless orphan. They had no other options, and he wanted Space God’s Gifted in the family. But Kai couldn’t see how that would stall the inevitable. House Nivisara was doomed either way.

  “You two are getting married?” Rusk asked.

  Alira’s glare pierced him like a frozen dagger. The room fell silent.

  “Kai Nivisara has a nice ring to it,” Kai said with a smirk.

  Alira’s icy gaze shifted to him. “Is that so?” she said, a small smile creeping onto her face. “My younger sister will be of age in a few years. Shall I introduce you?”

  Kai’s smirk vanished. He cleared his throat. “No need.”

  He raised his chin. “Although all this marriage talk is fun, I admit this isn’t just a friendly visit.”

  “You need a favour,” Alira said.

  “When you put it like that, it sounds—”

  “Don’t worry about it,” Alira interrupted. “Isn’t that what friends are for?”

  Kai saw the trap closing around him.

  Alira sat in the chair her father had vacated. “That makes this easier - because I also need a favour.” She clasped her hands like a mob boss giving orders. “You can’t expect a favour for free, right?”

  “What do you need?”

  “We’ll get to that,” she said. “Why don’t you start by telling me why you came all this way?”

  He sighed. No use lying or avoiding the question. “I hear your family has an artifact called the Frozen Tear. I need it.”

  “That would be difficult,” she said.

  “How much or what do you need?” he asked.

  “No, that’s not the problem,” she said. “Not that you could afford it anyway.” She shook her head. “The Frozen Tear is no longer with us.” She paused for dramatic effect. “Someone stole it.”

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  Can Kai trust the Nivisaras?