Elsavior, the home of NightDwellers, the realm of NightShadows and Fallen stars was still asleep. The kingdom had yet to open its eyes from a deep slumber, the city skylines still not lit to their potential.

Over the ocean that separated the capital from the rest of the areas where hills of homes and valleys where residents resided, hidden among the thick fog that covered the roofs of the houses.

It was still a bit dark as Draco soared through the crowd with his mighty wings, taking in the beautiful kingdom he has called home for so many years. Onyx trailed not so far behind, this time sitting on top of Aithne, holding the golden reins of the horse tight in her grip. Her hair whipped around her face, the sweet smell of salt hitting her face.

A smile trailed on the emperor's lips as he headed for the mountains, faintly making out the palace that sat on the peak, still dark as the day had not begun yet. He winnowed forward in the blink of an eye, disappearing like the smoke of clouds before reappearing on the outstretched bridge that was attached from one end of the palace to another.

Aithne flew forward like a gust of wind, picking up speed until she regained her position and landed beside the emperor, her large wings molding into her body. Onyx took a deep breath, feeling the morning wind tickle her bare skin. The strap of her bag dug into her shoulder, a sharp pain indented into her skin.

The Siphon looked up, admiring the palace grounds they stood on. It was more than a castle. It was a tall, gothic palace built around the peaks of the mountains it stood on. It stretched out far and wide, covering grass and gardens, vines, and flowers intertwining around the columns. Several entrances presented themselves, winding staircases leading to different routes.

At some point, near one of the main entrances with a huge ark, the grass became flashing tiles twinkling with the flicker of embers. The sound of fountains being turned on met her ears, the water splashing among the blooming flowers and coating the vines with morning dew.

Although she couldn't see far, the Siphon knew that they only stood on the outskirts of the palace. The whole palace ground was practically its world and she has yet to discover it all. "Welcome to my home" Draco welcomed her as she descended from the horse, still holding on to the reins. "The Palace of Revian, embedded around the Revian mountains. It was built by my father's family many years before he wed my mother.."

"It's beautiful," Onyx said as they walked along the bridge, making their way to a small staircase hidden in the morning shadows. Draco nodded, running his tattooed fingers through his dark curls. "Thank you. I will give you the full tour later but as of right now, we have to get you settled in."

"There is no need to rush" she assured him, wanting to take in the beautiful view the bridge provided. Right there, she could see the sky fully and make out where the sun met certain parts of the sky and how the colorful streaks blended and traced past the fading stars.

"Unfortunately, there is," he said, ushering her along with a hand on her back. "If you want to know what kind of demi-hybrid you are, no time should be wasted." Sighing, Onyx nodded and moved along, carefully climbing up the winding stairs and into a dark corridor. Draco carefully made sure Aithne went up the stairs as well, stroking her mane.

The long corridor was dark with hanging Victorian chandeliers and heavy velvet curtains drawn over the floor to ceiling windows. The floors were made of glass tile, a soft carpet rolled out in the middle of it all to provided some cushion. Several vases filled with flowers and suit of arms with large wings decorated the sides of the room, glinting even in the thick darkness.

"This is a quieter wing in the palace" Draco explained as they made their way down to the other side of the hall. "It's mostly used for art galleries and gatherings. Most of the activity on the palace grounds happens on the lower levels."

"Activities?" she questioned. He nodded, passing her a glance. "Servants rushing here and there, meeting gatherings, a court assembly. It is a very exciting scene to be submerged once the sun rises." A scowl set on his lips, light eyes passing over to the windows. "That is if the dawn dwellers ever awake from their slumber."

"What do dawn dwellers do?" the Siphon asked, curious.

"They are in charge of bringing all of the Inner Circle the day" he explained. "Dawn Dwellers can control certain elements of light but one of their greatest gifts is controlling when the dawn will be upon us. A special cohesive team of Dawn Dwellers is appointed to this task for the rest of their lives. When one unexplainably dies, they are quickly replaced with another."

"So if Dawn Dwellers bring the day then Night Dwellers bring in the night." The emperor nodded, confirming her statement. "Like I said, a cohesive work team."

They made their way out of the dim hallway and down another set of stairs. Instead of leading to a basement as Onyx had imagined, an airy space welcomed them, glass ceilings curved in an arch. Stables were presented to her, each containing some sort of mystical animals like dragons or shadow birds. They were each divided into groups, having their care routine and meal plans.

"This is the royal stables," Draco said as he took hold of Aithne's reins. Onyx let go, watching as the emperor led her horse to the back of the room. She followed them swiftly, keeping up just in time to see him open a stable booth and put Aithne in.

"She'll be taken care of like the others and will be exercised to her fullest potential" he explained, locking the door to the stable booth. "And she'll have a few friends to keep her company." Onyx nodded, taking in the rows of horses that shared the similar traits of Aithne. Wild eyes, luxurious manes, and sharpened teeth.

Carefully, she approached Aithne, petting her mane gently before hugging her. The horse neighed and buried its head in the crook of her shoulder, seeming to reciprocate her feelings of missing her. "I'll see you soon okay. Be good." The horse seemed to nod, cuddling her master one last time before departing from each other.

They said their last goodbyes before Onyx went back up the stairs with Draco, a cold draft meeting her. They continued to walk down the hallway in silence, their footsteps in tune. When they rounded a corner, a burst of light met her eyes, blinding her momentarily. She shielded the light with her hands, squinting against the pulsing rays. Draco, however, seemed to simply stand there, casting a gaze outside the windows.

"The Dawn Dwellers have finally woken up." As soon as he uttered those words, the floor beneath them illuminated white. The chandeliers above burned bright with light, the curtains closing automatically to allow the hallways to light up. The Siphon gasp, clenching her chest tightly as the once dull scene blossomed into a beautiful treasure.

The lifeless walls were now twinkling with white lights and gold designs, the ceilings above shining with millions of firefly lights. The tile floors sparkled like diamonds and the once gloom sky outside was now a brilliant cerulean with streaks of gold and silver outlining the clouds.

Millions of voices awoke from the lower floors, doors opening, and bells being rung. Onyx jumped at the sound of a door slamming closed and utensils falling. Draco, on the other hand, didn't flinch, instead passing a smile over to the Siphon.

"Follow me" he directed. Together, they walked down a spiraling set of glass stairs, all decorated with a royal blue carpet and bejeweled banisters. The Mind Siphon could barely count how many stairs they went down but the staircase ended at an outstretched balcony that seemed to overlook a ballroom.

The room itself was large with open windows and pulled back drapes. Sunlight spilled on to the walls, illuminating a natural ocean tint. The floors sparkled like glass and several statues stood in the corners, silent as guards.

But the beautiful room wasn't what caught the Mind Siphon's eyes. It was the people the passed through its opened doors. Maids, servants, guardsmen, children, and even other Nightdwellers. They all seemed to have a purpose in this very space whether it was cleaning the floors or dusting the crafted throne that sat in the back of the room, blue drapes surrounding it.

No one stopped to think, it was all an instinct. Every word they spoke, every action they performed. It was a choreographed dance that was memorized over and over again until it all became a routine.

"This is the common room" the emperor explained to her. It is the heart of the palace and has all the basic needs a servant or a child will ever need. It also doubles as a wicked venue for a party."

Onyx scoffed, shaking her head. "You don't have to tell me twice" she responded. "This is insane."

Draco nodded, toying with the rings on his finger. "Not as insane as me going unnoticed." With a great sweep of his hand, all the lights in the common room dimmed, causing a ruckus amongst those who were in the middle of their daily duties.

The emperor descended the staircase on the right side of the balcony, each set of stairs, illuminating under his feet. "I am glad to see that all of you have been enjoying yourself as I was gone." He flicked his fingers again, the lights flickering back on.

"The Emperor has returned home!" The shrill voice of one maid caught everyone's attention. Draco stood in the middle of the room, casually fixing the clasp of his cloak. "Indeed I have."

A calm scene interrupted into a frenzy of bows and hugs. The maids who had been cleaning the room dropped their suppliers to embrace the emperor. The children searching for one another now jumped up and down for his attention. Even the guards who seemed very stone-faced and serious let their guard down for a few seconds just to greet him.

Other maids ran into the hallways to alert others, running back in with two or three more people to greet the emperor.

It was a warm scene, filled with love and joy. Draco embraced every single one of them, blowing kisses and wishing them well. He spoke in many dialects to communicate with them all, laughing and smiling all the while. He stooped down and carried a child in his arms, ruffling his hair.

"I'm glad I have returned as well" he spoke, cradling the child back and forth. "Home never felt any better." The Mind Siphon smiled at the scene, watching as Draco planted a kiss on the child's him before setting him down, watching as the little boy beamed with pride.

"I brought a visitor with me," he announced, gesturing over to Onyx who stood motionless on the balcony. "She's a very special guest and I hope you treat her with the same respect you treat everyone else." Her cheeks blossomed red as all eyes turned on her, managing to muster a smile she hoped seemed kind.

"A pleasure to be here," she said, nodding her head. "It was very kind of Draco to offer me a place to stay."

"He's always been like that, so considerate and reassuring" a guardsmen spoke, patting the emperor's shoulders. "He's the best emperor elsavior has had for centuries now."

Draco nodded, shrugging his shoulders. "I can't argue with that logic."

After the chaos had calmed down and Draco managed to convince everyone to return to their normal duties, he gestured Onyx back up another set of spiral stairs, this time leading them down a bronze hallway that curved its way into one of the many sleeping chambers.

The windows in this wing were closed with lace black curtains, many doors locked. "I don't house many friends but certainly, I offer the castle to anyone that needs shelter" he explained, stopping at a room with double doors. "For now, you will stay here. It's a luxury suite and you have access to the main rooms of the palace."

He casted a look over to her worried face, offering a smile. "And I won't be too far away."

Onyx rolled her eyes but his comment brought a genuine smile to his lips. He twisted the lock in a series of combinations before the double doors groaned open, revealing a luxurious bedroom with a breathtaking view. "My stars, this is all for me?" the Siphon questioned as she stepped into the room, the aroma of vanilla meeting her nose.

"More so or less" he replied.

The walls were a mixture of a sunset yellow and creme orange, a color the Siphon had never seen in her life. A bed big enough to fit six people on it stood in the back corner, light drapes sprinkled with crystals raining down from the four wooden frames that surrounded each post of the bed. A footrest stood in front of it. On the other side of the room was a large vanity mirror set and several wardrobes and floral decorations surrounded the room. On her right was an open wall closet deep enough to be an abyss. The halls of the room where lined with floor to ceiling windows that were opened wide and curved into a patio where she could oversee all of Asxairo. On the far side of the room was the bathroom.

"This is truly amazing. Thank you" Onyx breathed turning around. Draco nodded his head, shrugging again. "There's nothing to thank me for," he said, overlooking the room one more time. "You should get settled in. Take a bath, maybe eat something. I'll give you a tour much later and introduce you to the rest of my court later."

"You have a court?" the Siphon asked.

The emperor nodded, stepping out of the room. "And they are quite a handful."

It was mid-afternoon when Draco and Onyx left the palace once more to officially introduce his court.

According to him, he had contacted them via bonds and had arranged a formal lunch where Onyx would meet his most trustworthy people. If they had time, they would stop by to check up on Alesandria's family.

The Mind Siphon managed to relax in a warm bath. It felt as if she had not taken a bath in years ever since leaving the tribal grounds earlier and already she felt a difference. The waters of Elsavior was warm and gentle, cleansing her and healing all her little wounds.

After cleaning herself up, she packed her things away and changed into a black shirt and matching jeans, rolling her hair into a ponytail. Surprisingly, Draco wore lighter colors today, choosing to go with a white knitted sweater and jeans.

He insisted on flying, not waiting to hear her protests before scooping her into his arms and soaring into the heart of Elsavior. They raged down mountains and past bridges until they landed in the city square of Salion.

All around, the citizens of Elsavior welcomed their emperor, some even going as far as extending him gifts and blessings. Draco kindly denied their treasures but blessed them in the same way they graced him, passing smiles of adoration.

It was a scene Onyx still had to get used to. No one showered Rheynoak with love and affection or even smiles. He ruled in fear and rarely did anyone smile. Slaving and training in a hot desert was not an ideal picture of happiness but still, it seemed normal. Yet in Elsavior, there was not a single ounce of fear or sadness.

Only joy and contentment. So odd.

Fifteen minutes later, they ended up at a pristine restaurant resting on a rolling hill. The curved stairs glowed as they ascended, the glass doors opening to a very fancy setting. The restaurant was filled with people, ranging from expensive, important warriors to simple, average people.

A waiter came by, bowing at Draco and greeting Onyx with a warm smile before directing them over to the back of the restaurant. "Table for eight, correct?" he reassured. The emperor nodded and was led to a large dining setting overseeing a view of a lake.

A casual wind blew through the window and the waiter set menus in front of them. "We will be back with drinks," the waiter said, bowing once more. "Welcome back, Emperor."

"Thank you, Isiah." The waiter smiled before walking away, leaving the two alone.

"Do you know everyone's name?" Onyx asked. The emperor nodded. "It's my job to know everyone's name and it creates a deeper connection with my people" he explained, flipping through the menu. His eyes flickered up briefly to see the Siphon scrunch in her seat, her hands folded into her lap in an awkward pose.

Her eyes took in the bright scenery, looking around as if an assassin would come up and kill her any minute. "It's safe here" he reassured her when she got out of her seat to inspect their surroundings. "I can promise you that."

"Instincts" she briefly replied, sitting down again. She lifted her shirt, the head of her sword glinting. "I always keep it with me."

"As I have taken note," the emperor said. "How are you enjoying Elsavior so far?"

"It's different, no doubt," Onyx said, opening the menu. "But it's adjustable I guess." Her eyes traced over the words. Some of the suggestions were written in dialects she couldn't understand but for the most part, she was able to decipher them quickly.

"You'll find your way" he reassured her, closing his menu. She nodded, looking out the window. "It is a very beautiful kingdom though. Surpassed my expectations." Draco nodded, looking out the window as well. "It always does."

The waiter returned with a tray of drinks and two silhouettes behind him. "Your drinks, my emperor," he said, putting the drink in front of them. "And a few guests." Stepping in front of Isiah, the tall figure of Yongui and the always brooding figure of Castrin appeared.

"Thank you, Isiah. You are quite the negotiator" Yongui said, patting his cheek. He blushed but nodded his head, setting their drink in front of them as they took their seats. "I'll give you a few more minutes," he said before disappearing.

Yongui embraced Draco in a short hug and briefly hugged Onyx. Her floral dress flowed to her feet, her demeanor much kinder than it was a few months ago. Her appearance had changed, her black hair now an icy blue, and her indigo eyes swirling with hints of violet. Castrin also seemed quite happy although his appearance didn't change much. He embraced both of them as well.

"I am glad to see you both" Yongui said, taking a sip of her drink. "But I must ask, why is Onyx here?"

Castrin nodded, swirling the straw in his wine glass. "It does seem strange that you have kidnapped Rheynoak's mate here" he commented, looking her up and down. "Although I understand if she simply wanted to see the beauty of Elsavior."

Draco and Yongui gave him a stern look, seeing how uncomfortable the Siphon was at the mention of being labeled as the tribe leader's mate. Castrin caught on, sending an apologetic look towards her way.

"I'll let you know when the others arrive," the emperor said, sipping his drink. "Speaking of, where is everyone."

"On their way" Castrin replied. "Although Sahara won't be able to attend. She had prior plans." Draco nodded, nodding. "The life of a busy dweller. In the meantime, enlighten me on your day."

The Mind Siphon sat as she listened in to their conversation, swirling the straw in her ocean blue drink. It was almost as if she was afraid to drink it, simply admiring the color of the concoction.

"Ocaov daols," Yongui said, pushing her hair aside. Onyx perked up, raising her brows. "Pardon?" she questioned.

"Ocean tears, it's the name of your drink. Try it, it's really good." Cautiously, the Siphon took a sip of her drink. A fruit flavor flooded her mouth followed by a very citrus aftertaste. It made her twitch at the bite of the sour aftertaste but after a while, the flavor cooled on her tongue.

"It is" the Siphon replied. "Thank you."

They sat in light conversation, trading stories, and clinking their glasses together. Twenty minutes later, a few more people arrived, dressed in casual attire. They sat down, drink in hand as they greeted each other. Onyx took in their appearance one by one.

A girl a few years older sat down, her dark brown skin glowing in her yellow dress. Her hair was curly and flowing, her brown eyes streaked with heavy black makeup. The guy that sat next to her was a lighter shade of brown with honey brown eyes and kinky dark hair. He was dressed in dark clothing, embracing his fellow court members.

The last guy to sit down was lightly tanned with unruly, honey-brown hair. There was a slight scruff around his chin and a tattoo crawling up his neck. He met the Siphon's gaze, smiling at her before looking away.

When everyone was settled in, Draco introduced her. "Friends and or people I tolerate," he said. "This is Onyx Ashrevion, a demi-hybrid from Rheynoak's tribe. She will be staying in Elsavior for a while."

"Onyx, these wonderful and tolerable people are my court. We are one short but you'll meet her another day. You already know Yongui and Castrin but I would like to introduce you to Azura. She is the spymaster for Elsavior" he said, gesturing over to the dark-skinned girl. She offered a friendly smile, shaking her hand. "And this is Falcon. He is the general commander for the armies of Elsavior," he said, pointing to the man sitting next to Azura. He waved at her politely, revealing his bright smile.

"And last but certainly not least, this is Orion. He is my third in command." Orion nodded her way, speaking to her in a deep voice, "Welcome to Elsavior."

"Thank you for the warm welcome," Onyx said, sipping her drink. They all nodded, smiling. Isiah returned once again and took all their orders. Draco helped the Siphon choose a meal before the waiter bowed and walked away.

"Are you all Nightdwellers?" the Siphon asked. Azura nodded, shaking her hand. "For the most part, yes but some of us are also hybrids and demi-hybrids" she explained. "The only full-blooded Night Dweller at this table is Falcon."

Falcon waved his hand, rolling his eyes. "But I can still kick half of their asses."

"You wish" Castrin retorted back.

The waiter returned with their food, bowing to all of them once again before leaving for good. For pristine beings of high power with more wealth than the siphon could ever want, they tore through their meal like they had been starving for days. They didn't even say a prayer, simply unraveling their utensils and devouring their meal.

Onyx stared at her dish, a large plate of cooked seaweed pasta with steamed meats and a vegetable and cream sauce poured over. Surrounding the plates were dumplings filled with ground meats and vegetables.

She took a bite of the pasta, her eyes widening before she took another bite. And another and another. She didn't realize the people staring at her, instead taking a bite of a dumpling. Draco's chuckle brought her back to reality, an embarrassing scarlet shade overtaking her face.

"Sorry" she apologized, swallowing her food. "It's really good."

Falcon laughed, shaking his head. "No worries. Perfectly understandable."

"Alright, I'll cut to the chase," Draco said after devouring half of his steak. "I'm sure all of you are wondering why I invited you here?"

"To pay for our meal" Azura suggested.

"Because you missed us" Yongui chimed in.

"No, to finally admit that the only reason why you don't have a mate is that you are in love with yourself," Orion said. Falcon shook his head, waving his hand. "We already knew that, Orion."

"I despise you all" Draco said with light humor. "But no. The reason why I have brought you here is that I have some very important news to share with you all that I can not sugar coat." He took a deep breath, passing a look over to Onyx. She gulped but nodded, prompting the emperor to proceed with his announcement.

"There has been a misunderstanding. Alesandria is not the true queen of Crojesian. Onyx is. She's the daughter of Queen Eshara and King Talgran. Alesandria, however, is her half-sister since she is the daughter of King Talgran and his first wife."

Silence fell across the table, every movement frozen. They all traded glances, passing a strange look over to Onyx. The Siphon shrunk back again, casting her gaze downwards. "Crojesian? That kingdom has been ruined for years now" Castrin informed.

"And I am aware of that but the rumors of King Talgran's children are not true since they are both alive and well." Draco casted a stern look around the table, taking in their shocked faces and unconvinced glances. "Forgive us but this is a lot to process" Orion interrupted, turning his attention to Onyx. "Your parents' death was a sad day for the Inner Circle."

"Something that does not need to reminisce," the emperor said, giving Orion a warning look. Orion nodded, keeping quiet. "So where's Alesandria?" Castrin asked.

"She decided to stay with Rheynoak" Onyx simply explained to him. "Although she is welcomed to come here anytime if she feels any ounce of threat from him." The dark magic summoner's jaw flexed, a stone-cold look on his face. "You can't just leave her there! Her family's here, Onyx is here. He'll harm her."

"We have no way of knowing that"Yongui concluded. Castrin raised a brow at her. "Are you being serious right now, Yongui? He's a soulless being. He'll repeat the patterns he used to drive Onyx away."

"What happened with him and Onyx is a far more complicated story than what we know" she insisted, shaking her head. "If Alesandria chooses to stay there, that's her choice but that doesn't mean she won't be welcomed here if she chooses to do so so stop thinking of her as a damsel in distress and let the situation be."

Despite his loud opinion, he simply nodded, keeping his cool. "So what needs to be done?" Azura asked, ignoring the obvious tension. "Is someone a potential threat to her?"

"Besides Rheynoak, no. We still don't know what kind of demi-hybrid she is so that is the first thing we need to figure out. Everything else, we'll uncover on the way. It's a messy plan but it's somewhere to start. Sahara will be helpful in the process."

Draco casted his gaze around the table. "Are we all clear on this plan?"

Hesitant but willing, they all nodded. The emperor nodded. "Good." With that final say, he returned to his meal. To ease the tension, Yongui asked for a waiter, requesting another drink. Moments later, Isiah returned with a bottle of clear liquid, handing it over to her. "It was recently brewed from Krayos" he informed. "Enjoy."

"Oh we will," she said, popping open the cap. "I think we need all the encouragement in the world." She poured the alcohol into her drink, passing the bottle around. The bottle made its way over to Onyx, who took it with shaking hands.

"It smells...strong," she said as she poured a generous amount into a drink.

"It is," Draco said, taking the bottle and pouring half of it into his drink. "Strong enough to knock us out."

"Or forget our names," Yongui said, mixing her drink. "Whichever one comes first."

Laughter went around the table and everyone raised their glasses, clinking it together. They beckoned the Siphon to join and for once in her life, Onyx let her guard slip a bit and enjoy herself. She raised her glass and clinked it against theirs, laughter ringing out in the atmosphere.

For once in her life, she felt safe and welcomed.

A/N: And that is the end of Chapter Twenty and the first part of The Septic Curse is complete!

This is the start of something new! *cue high school musical*

But in all honesty, the second part of the book will be a very wild ride and I can't wait to share it with you all. 

With that being said, I will hopefully release the first Novella tomorrow. Sorry for the wait up but finals are killing me!

Anyway, tell me what you guys think of this chapter! What do you think of Draco's court? Who's your favorite so far?

How well do you think Onyx will adjust to Elsavior? Will she stay or flee?

What about Rheynoak using Alesandria as his own puppet now? Will that plan go as planned?

What will happened between the Desert Tribes and Inner Circle! Tell me your thoughts! TELL, TELL!

So tell me what you guys thought of this chapter.

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

P.S this is what the Palace of Revian looks like

And this is what Onyx's room looks like