Chapter 62: More Questions
Liona found her mother in the imperial gardens, walking alone among the night-blooming flowers. Two imperial guards stood at a respectful distance, far enough away to provide privacy but close enough to respond if needed.
"Mother," Liona called softly, approaching with the sword-shaped key still clutched in her hand.
Empress Alexia turned. "You’ve returned from the vault," she observed. "What did you find?"
Liona glanced at the guards before responding. Understanding her daughter’s hesitation, the Empress gestured subtly, and the guards retreated further, beyond earshot.
"I found the swords," Liona said once they were alone. "Sunfire and Luna. And a chest I couldn’t open."
"The chest contains the Ambrose family records," her mother replied. "It requires Ambrose blood to open."
It wasn’t a question, but her mother nodded nonetheless. "A diluted connection, from many generations past. Your great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandmother married into the Ambrose line. The swords recognized you enough to spare you their wrath, but not enough to grant you access to their power."
"One of the guards tried to touch Sunfire. His hand..." Liona shuddered at the memory. "The metal of his gauntlet melted into his flesh."
"The swords protect themselves," Empress Alexia said, reaching out to take her daughter’s hand. "It’s why they’ve remained safe after all this time. even when other Ambrose heirlooms were stolen or lost."
Liona asked. "There was something else in the vault. Ash on the floor. Someone had been there before me, despite the sealed door."
For the first time, Alexia looked genuinely surprised. "That’s not possible. The vault can only be opened with the key, and mine jas been with me since i was 5."