Chapter 79: Bloodline Ritual 2
Alora took her place on the opposite sofa, watching Raiden with hungry eyes over the rim of her coffee cup.
"Your family, huh?" he said while she made a thoughtful expression. "The Night family relished their feud with the Dawnbringers. That’s why they never suggested the bloodline ritual."
Raiden held Alora’s gaze through the tense silence. He hated being trapped in her living room, and the glaring white walls combined with the searing light from the chandelier above sent pain shooting through his skull.
"This is all I know, I guess."
The instant her words ended, Raiden got to his feet. "I’ll be going then. The high court is expecting me."
Alora stayed where she was, her tousled white hair shifting against her shoulder, a smile playing on her lips as Raiden walked away, never once glancing back at her.
Once outside, Raiden stopped and pressed his finger to his bottom lip, thinking. Yesterday, he had requested an audience with the high court about the bloodline ritual.
They had consented to meet, and if what Alora said held true, the process might unfold easier than expected.
But her smile... he shook his head, clearing his thoughts. Deciphering Alora was like attempting to comprehend the entirety of existence—impossible and maddening.
Without delay, he headed for the courtroom down the hall. Upon entering, he found the elders positioned in their raised seats as expected, all awaiting the arrival of King Hannes.
Raiden glanced at each elder in turn, their expressions making it clear they had no fondness for his presence.