Chapter 2: Dream or reality?
Age 17 — Temple of First Light, Inner Empire
The pounding from his temple transformed into a succession of sounds—measured, sharp, too close to heels stepping on marble.
He frowned.
Another new maid. Probably one of those wide-eyed types who hadn’t yet figured out who he was. Curious now, until someone whispered Kilmer in her ear and she scurried off like they all did.
He didn’t bother lifting his head; he didn’t have the power in the first place.
NovelFire
The air smelled of incense and dusted stone. His knees ached against the polished floor. The silk robe clung to his skin, damp from nerves or sweat or the weight of whatever this was.
He didn’t remember kneeling; when was the last time he had legs sturdy enough to even kneel?
He didn’t die. The thought had settled in his head with pain, filling every other corner of it.
He let out a low, unsteady sigh, as if disappointed to be awake.
Like someone hoping the gods would just hurry up and finish what they started.
His fingers dug slightly into the silk at his thighs, half-expecting bone to press through skin like before. But his legs were solid. Smooth. Not broken. Not wasted away.
He opened his eyes with a force that long left him.