Rheynoak Casvionel watched in silence as the dead bodies of those who sacrificed themselves during the attack in Elsavior where placed in their glass coffins. He didn't utter a word nor chose to make any eye contact as a few desert tribe members closed the coffins shut.

Beside him, Irene and Heather stood in silence. They were dressed in black and covered their faces with a red veil. A few feet away from them were leaders from other desert tribes. Most of them were familiar since they had been present at Solyerian but there were a few new faces as well.

All of them casted a steely gaze towards Rheynoak who shied away, and instead, concentrated on Rashnov who stood in front of the coffins. He placed his scarred hands on top of the glass and requested everyone to close their eyes in prayer.

Taking a deep breath, Rheynoak followed as everyone else got to their knees and closed their eyes. Several of the tribe leaders took out necklaces made from metal balls, but for the most part, everyone clapped their hands together and showed their respect.

"May the Gods bless these brave soldiers for their sacrifice and may they join our ancestors in the sky. Without them, we would not have achieved the victory we did, and for that, we are forever grateful for their actions and we bless them in riches, blood, and our deepest condolences."

Rashnov said one final prayer in his native tongue and opened his eyes. The coffins were then bathed in sacred water and decorated with flowers and beads before being sent off for their burial. The few tribe members that were supposed to stay behind to help aid in the burial stood behind Rashnov. For the most part, everyone else could return to their respective activities and the tribal leaders were to meet in the dining hall.

However, as Rheynoak made his way out with the others, Rashnov called out to him. "Rheynoak, I'll need your help burying these bodies" he simply said, beckoning the tribe leader to come back. "I don't bury bodies on tribal grounds" the leader simply replied.

Rashnov raised a brow at him. "I don't care what you do. I simply need your help." With a heavy sigh, Rheynoak walked back to the several coffins spread out on the tribal grounds. He watched as the tribe members in charge of carrying the coffins lifted the coffins onto their shoulders and marched in front of them in a synchronized line.

Rashnov and Rheynoak followed behind in unbearable silence. "Are you going to keep ignoring me?" the head tribe leader questioned, turning over to Rheynoak who shook his head and licked his lips. "How am I ignoring you?"

"Don't play smart with me. You haven't uttered a single word since I mentioned the attack" he pointed out, looking ahead as the gates of the tribal grounds swung open at the presence of magic.

"What was I supposed to say? No? Like you would ever take that as an answer" Rheynoak muttered underneath his breath, getting a disturbed look from the head tribe leader. "If your father was here, he would rip that wicked tongue of yours through your teeth" Rashnov hissed, shaking his head.

"Don't take my father's name in vain" Rheynoak warned in a threatening tone. "It's not like he was your biggest fan either." Rashnov huffed and rolled his eyes but said nothing more. The two walked in complete silence until the tribe members stopped near a dune.

The tribe members set down the coffins and used their powers to dig several shallow graves. They then carefully placed the coffins inside the hole and covered it up in copper dirt once again. Rashnov said one more prayer and excused the tribe members to continue with their day.

"Listen, we have an upper hand here," he said to Rheynoak who did not meet his eyes. "The Inner Circle barrier is destroyed, and we have complete access to that cursed land. Not to mention, your father's body is now unprotected. Everything is falling into place. I don't need you to be regretting everything now."

"Who says I am regretting anything? Even if I did, none of you would care. You all have me chained up and are using me for your petty little games like you always do. So, I don't care what happens at this point."

Rheynoak turned around to leave but Rashnov caught his hand in a death grip. "We tried to compromise, Rheynoak. I offered you a place in the attack, but you pulled out last minute. It's a shame that you have tainted your family name, but don't you dare go around playing the victim here. You are the one only one sabotaging your future."

"I didn't participate in the attack because it would solve nothing. Not only have you angered the Inner Circle, but now, you have made the desert tribes weak to an attack from those scheming leaders. If my tribe falls, it will be on you!"

"Your tribe is already crumbling!" Rashnov hissed back. "You let three of the Inner Circle's most prestigious jokes ransack your tribe, murder your people, and drag Alesandria back to their realm. Hell, you couldn't even protect yourself!"

The Head Tribe leader's grip on him tightened. "I can see why Onyx left you."

"Don't you dare use her against me!" Rheynoak pulled his hand away. "Onyx has nothing to do with this!"

"But she does, Rheynoak! That idiotic waste of space is your weakness! Look me in the eye right now and tell me that you don't love her! That you don't need her anymore and that you can move on with the sorrow excuse that is your life! Go ahead! Convince me!"

Rheynoak trembled underneath his grip. His eyes clouded red and he could feel his hands tighten into a fist. His thoughts swarmed and screamed in his head and he could feel his heart hammer against the fragile gate that was his ribcage.

"I truly hate every single one of you" he whispered underneath his breath. Rashnov let go of his arm and grabbed ahold of his neck. The tribe leader could feel his breath leave his lungs as strong nails punctured into the fragile flesh of his throat.

"I would have disposed of you a long time ago if it wasn't for your father" he warned, crushing his windpipes. "Don't make me back down on my word. You will do as we say and if you even think about stepping out of line, I will crush your skull inward and bury you in a shallow grave next to the sea where you fucking belong."

A long silence passed in between them before Rashnov continued. "Useless excuse of a life."

With that, he dropped the tribe leader to the ground and wiped the spots of blood on his hand down his pants. "I will be waiting for you in the dining hall" he announced looking down at the struggling tribe leader whose hand was closed around his neck as he tried to regain his breath.

"Take your time." With that, he stepped over his crumpled body and made his way back to the tribal grounds.

"Where is Rheynoak Casvionel?" Leader Arsen Regbay questioned as Rashnov took a seat in front of the long dining table.

"He'll join us soon" he replied, earning a glare from several tribe leaders. "You can't leave him in the desert to die" Leader Caldwin Tundris sneered at him, but Rashnov shot him an icy glare. "I couldn't care less about that swine. If he chooses to join us, he can do so. If he would rather suffer in the desert, he's more than welcome to. I'm not waiting for him."

The rest of the tribal leaders said no more, simply ducking their heads. "Heather, any update on the Inner Circle?" he asked, turning over to the leader. She ran her slim fingers through her dark tresses. "According to the information I got from Alesandria's mind, the leaders are seriously injured. Draco, however, is in a coma."

A delighted smirk spread across the Head Tribe leader's face. "A coma you say. For how long?"

"No one is sure. He has not made any improvements since he was sent back to the palace" she continued to inform him. "Raiyah Vaolcris has arrived at the palace to temporarily take over the throne until her brother wakes up."

"That little brat can't even keep her own life together. She'll fail on the first day" Rashnov commented. Heather winced, shrugging her shoulders. "She may be incapable on her own, but she's surrounded by powerful beings. Beings that have destroyed us on multiple occasions."

"When did I ask for your pessimism?" Rashnov hissed. Heather scoffed, folding her arms across her chest. "Don't push me, Rashnov. Don't forget. I have Alesandria's mind under my control. I can convince her to do anything."

She paused in between her words, eyeing the Head Tribe leader with an icy stare. "Anything..."

Rashnov narrowed his eyes at her before standing up and pounding his fists on the table. "Don't you dare hurt that girl!" He reached out and grasped her throat in his clutch. Heather gasped underneath his clutch. Her fingers dug into his hand, but he slammed her head against the table before she could cry for help. "I will slit your throat in half if you even think about harming her!"

With a huff, he threw her back into her seat and faced forward. Heather coughed into her sleeve, struggling to breathe but Rashnov passed an arrogant gaze towards her way to silence her.

"Moving on. The Eastern desert tribes will be joining us tomorrow along with their Head Tribe Leader. Now that Raebar's body is completely unprotected and Draco is in a coma, there is no better time to retaliate once more than now."

"The Inner Circle still has a wall to protect them" Leader Enesme Brakin pointed out. "And my bets are they are doing everything they can to keep us out. Maybe we should keep them waiting. Have them think the danger has surpassed them strike one again."

"And what about Raebar's body? We can't just leave it there" Rashnov commented.

"As long as Draco is still somewhat alive, there is no way we will be able to touch the body. His magic around the body is strong enough to keep all of us out. Only he can have access to it" Enesme explained.

"So, let's kill him" Irene suggested, getting a peculiar look from everyone around her.

"Don't you think it will be a little suspicious if we kill her? We'll be the obvious suspects" Caldwin asked. Irene shook her head vigorously before he could even continue his thoughts. "Not us. Alesandria. Heather has full control of her mind. She can convince her to do anything even if it's against her will."

"So, we manipulate Alesandria" Heather added on through a raspy voice.

"Get her to kill Draco and be the villain in the situation" Irene implied.

"Which will be enough of a distraction for us to take over and burn their territories to the ground" Rashnov finished off, a smile on his face. "Everything else will fall into place after that. Raebar will take care of everything."

His eyes gleamed with a wicked fire as he looked up. He stood up from his chair, his palm slamming down on the table. "Heather, hook your fingers deep into that Siphon's mind" he instructed, passing a steely gaze towards the tribe leader. "We have an emperor to dispose of."

"Are you going to suffocate me again?" she hissed at him, raising a brow at him. A frown was pulled on her lips and a red ring was forming where he had crushed her throat. The Head tribe leader gave her an icy stare. "No, but I might behead you."

A/N: And that is the end of Chapter Thirty!

Oh god, just thinking of that fact that we are halfway through The Septic Curse is giving me chills. Ugh, I love this book so much and I hope you guys are loving it as much as I am!

What do you guys think of Rashnov? Isn't he just a breath of fresh air? And how about the other tribe leaders like Heather, Irene, and Enesme? Do you like them?

Are you ready for Alesandria's diabolically devious arc because I am!

Or do you still want her to play nice and end up with Castrin?

Let me know...

Speaking of which, I already am planning the third book in the series, The Shadow Heirs to be released in early summer. The story takes place at the same time the events of The Septic Curse are taking place. The story will follow Venix and Lucien on their journey to reclaim their rightful leadership roles. While trying to mend relationships, fix kingdoms, and assassinate enemies, they find out that their best allies might be each other. 

To celebrate this, I have decided to show you guys an early reveal of the cover of The Shadow Heirs!

Is it not gorgeous! Huge shoutout to @ideologically for this amazing cover! Doesn't Venix look striking?! Ugh, you are going to love her and Lucien in this story!

I am also going to finish Emerald Crown and start Fire Blade this summer which is Rheynoak's life story up until his claim to his father's tribe! Lots of new things to look out for!

This cover is amazing!

Love you guys! Thanks for the constant support!

Are you guys enjoying the books and series so far? I want to hear your honest opinion!

So tell me what you guys thought of this chapter.

Any NEW Ships you like?

Any specific scenes you liked! Any conspiracies? I would love to hear them!

Thank you guys for all your constant support. It means so much to me that you enjoy this book. I enjoy writing it and to hear your feedback always makes my day!

So tell me what your thoughts are on this chapter and don't forget to comment down below and vote if you liked it.

Until next time Lovelies!

With love, May