Redeeming the Broken Dragon

Chapter 5. The Demonstration

King Vlad opened the door to a radiant and smiling Crimson. “I thought breakfast together might be nice before the chaos of the Council meeting,” he said as he invited her in.

They sat at the dining table. King Vlad had asked the kitchen staff for a simple breakfast spread for them. Sunbeams burst through the curtains, flooding King Vlad’s suite with light.

“Lost in another world, Vlad?” she teased, snatching a grape from the platter and tossing it into her mouth.

He sighed, a storm of thoughts clouding his face, his fingers tracing the rim of his cup. “I am... conflicted, Crimson. This quest you will embark upon is unlike any you’ve faced before. The risks are high, and I question my decision to have you accompany him.”

Crimson’s eyebrow shot up, her lips curving into a playful smirk, “You worried about me or just think I can’t handle it?”

He leaned closer, his intense blue eyes locking with hers, searching, questioning. “Perhaps a bit of both,” he paused, lost in his thoughts. “I wonder, maybe I even fear what this quest might reveal about your past. The secrets that lie hidden in the shadows could prove hazardous.”

He didn’t know much about Crimson’s past, yet he speculated about it. If it turned out his speculations were correct, the secrets of her past could devastate her.

She smiled wryly and placed her coffee cup down with a delicate clink. “Can’t turn back the clock, can we? What’s done is done, and I say bring on the secrets, Majesty.” She teased him, using the affectionate nickname that lightened the mood between them.

“It’s about time I learned about my past, don’t you think,” she reached for a croissant and started nibbling on it.

A warm, soft look crossed King Vlad’s face, and he looked up at the ceiling, shaking his head. “You know, it’s not just about this quest... there’s something else, Crimson,” he sighed, his voice heavy with concern. “I hope I’m doing the right thing here. Can we trust everyone there, you think?”

Crimson leaned closer, her eyes defiant yet sparkling. “Bring it on. We’ve dealt with far worse and come out on top, haven’t we?”

He shook his head, trying to fake a smile. “Have we really? I’m not so sure anymore,” he admitted with a sigh. “And for some, you may be an enigma, a puzzle they yearn to solve.”

She chuckled lightly. “Let them look,” she shrugged nonchalantly, “Let them wonder.”

King Vlad reached for Crimson’s hand, his fingers enveloping hers. “Promise me something, Crimson.”

“Anything.” She replied, leaning in towards him.

King Vlad’s voice was hesitant, his eyes reflecting a storm of concern. “If it gets too dangerous if your past starts to overwhelm you... please, promise me you’ll get out of there. Save yourself,” he pleaded, the fear of losing her etched into every word. His fingers gripped hers tighter as if trying to transfer his urgent plea through their touch.

She squeezed his hand, her voice unwavering. “Always.”

Together, they slowly stood up, their movements synchronized as if sharing the same unspoken thoughts. With each step towards the conference center, their silence spoke volumes, a mix of anticipation and apprehension hanging in the air. As they entered the conference room, the stark, looming walls seemed to echo the seriousness of what lay ahead, wrapping them in a quiet, solemn atmosphere.

At the head of the table stood Gabriel and Lila. Amara and Eliza were also present. King Vlad invited both to help uncover Crimson’s past. Solstace entered the room shortly behind them.

Gabriel began with a voice filled with gravitas, “I hope you all had a good night’s rest. Thank you all for gathering this morning.”

“I trust you fully grasp the gravity of discretion in this matter. We cannot jeopardize Crimson’s safety,” King Vlad interjected.

“Only those who truly need to witness Crimson’s gift are present,” Lila added, nodding at her father.

“Crimson will reveal a part of herself that many might covet or misuse,” King Vlad pressed on. “Hence, we necessitate your confidentiality regarding all that you witness.”

Eliza raised an eyebrow inquisitively. “Do you truly believe we would betray you or Crimson?”

“It’s not about trust, Eliza,” King Vlad responded, his gaze unwavering. “It’s about protection. I won’t allow anything or anyone to harm Crimson.”

Amara’s voice was calm and reassuring. “You have our word, King Vlad. All of us present will keep Crimson’s secrets.”

Solstace begrudgingly nodded in agreement, his auburn hair glinting in the morning light.

“How does this work?” Lila inquired.

Crimson’s voice softened, a hint of vulnerability flashing in her eyes as she turned towards Gabriel. “I need to touch you to share my memories,” she said, her gaze steady yet revealing an undercurrent of emotion. Her fingers twitched slightly, betraying her nervousness.

Gabriel stretched out his arm, and Crimson closed the distance between them with determined steps.Crimson gently grasped Gabriel’s forearm, her touch light yet purposeful. As she closed her eyes, the room seemed to hold its breath in anticipation, the weight of the unfolding moment pressing upon all.

“What do you want to know, Alpha?” Crimson asked him.

“How can we be sure that we can trust you?” He replied solemnly.

Crimson’s grip on Gabriel’s forearm tightened, unleashing a cascade of shimmering, silver energy that danced around them.

What the heck? Zeus exclaimed, a mixture of amazement and nervousness coursing through him.

The process appeared deceptively simple from the outside—a young woman touching a man’s forearm. But for Gabriel, it was as though a deluge of emotional baggage was flooding into him.

The first memory Crimson shared took them back to the serene palace gardens. A youthful Crimson graced the scene, her vibrant blond, almost white locks swirling gracefully in the gentle breeze. But she was crying. King Vlad approached her, seeking to console her and understand her distress. Unable to find words, she touched his forearm when he wrapped an arm around her.

King Vlad’s eyes widened as he experienced the scene that had unfolded not so long ago. Crimson stumbled upon a bird in distress, its wing twisted in agony. Overwhelmed with compassion, Crimson had tried to help it, but to no avail.

After Crimson pulled her hand back from King Vlad’s arm, he looked at her with wide eyes, a mix of surprise and awe in his voice. “What was that you just did?” he asked, his tone filled with a subtle sense of wonder. Equally baffled by the mysterious occurrence, Crimson could only respond with a puzzled shake of her head. Both she and the King shared a moment of quiet curiosity about the unusual and remarkable ability she had just revealed.

While he was an outside spectator, Gabriel felt Crimson’s raw emotions to his core. He felt the authentic pain she experienced from being unable to save that bird. He was convinced of her desire to do good for others.

After the first memory, there was a blur of several images that enveloped Gabriel. Crimson seemed to take him on a whirlwind journey through her memories.

In the second memory, Gabriel found himself beside Crimson, observing a scene from afar. Lila and her mother, Maria, were enveloped in cloaks that billowed gracefully in the wind. They were bound for Northern Ontario to reconnect with Maria’s estranged sister, Cassandra.

As they gracefully ready to step through a magical portal, King Vlad approached, his countenance etched with deep concern. He pulled Lila into a tight, heartfelt embrace, whispering words that carried the weight of his love and anxiety.

“Promise me you’ll be safe,” he implored in a hushed tone. Lila’s response was a tender smile. “We will,” she affirmed. He waved at them as the portal was closing. They smiled and waved back.

It didn’t take long for King Vlad to feel the pain of losing a mate. As the days evolved into weeks and the weeks stretched into seemingly endless months, the search for his mate and daughter remained fruitless. The once-bustling palace seemed to echo with a profound silence.

Gabriel felt Crimson’s determination to help King Vlad be reunited with his family, not once wanting to take advantage of the situation to gain a better position for herself.

After witnessing this second memory, Gabriel felt himself drawn into the depths of Crimson’s memories. This time, the scene unfolded as a clandestine meeting in the heart of the night, with Crimson at its core. She had a scroll in her hands and victory in her eyes. This was the damning piece of evidence she needed.

It revealed that Zoltan, a trusted advisor and confidante to King Vlad, had been orchestrating a series of betrayals against the kingdom. As Crimson read the scroll, her heart raced, and the weight of the betrayal pressed upon her. She knew this evidence would change the course of their history, and the challenge now was to bring it to light without endangering the kingdom further.

Gabriel took a deep breath, still reeling from the intense journey through Crimson’s memories. His eyes met those of the assembled group, and he spoke with a voice that carried the weight of his newfound knowledge.

“What I’ve just experienced,” Gabriel began, his tone measured and thoughtful, “is beyond what words can describe.” Gabriel looked at each person present.

“I know I can trust what I saw and that I can trust you, Crimson.” Gabriel continued. “But I can’t explain how or why.”

Crimson smiled.

“I believe she is an authentic person that would make a valuable ally,” Gabriel turned towards Solstace. “This may seem unorthodox, but she is a skilled spy. Most importantly, she has a kind and giving soul. I wouldn’t worry about her being a burden. She seems to be able to care for herself and those around her.”

Crimson nodded. “I’ve tangled with some tough spots and shadows before, but hey, I always find a way to bounce back stronger.”

“Lila, I know the pain your father suffered. And for that, I want justice.” She addressed Lila with a familiarity that surprised everyone attending.

Gabriel shifted from one foot to the other. He wanted to ask something but needed help to figure out how to proceed.

Crimson grinned. “What’s on your mind, Alpha?”

“Your hair, it was almost white in your memory. But you were so young, and now...” He stopped, searching for his words.

Crimson jumped in. “But is there a question in there?” She asked with a smirk.

Solstace, who had been silent until then, stood up straight. “That makes me realize your hair was orange last night and is crimson today. It almost looked like it was changing colors during your… whatever that was,” Solstace scoffed.

“What does that mean, if you don’t mind sharing?” Gabriel asked, curiosity filling his eyes.

“My hair changes color according to my mood,” Crimson replied as she shrugged. “Mr. Grumpy might get the chance to find out what the different colors mean over the time we’ll spend together.” She walked towards Solstace and looked at him through squinted eyes.

She smirked inwardly; Mr. Grumpy is so full of storms. What an irresistible puzzle.