[Silthara Palace — The Royal Nursery — The Following Morning]
Morning sunlight poured through the towering crystal windows. For the first time in many years...the Royal Nursery was no longer empty. Warmth filled every corner of the chamber. Golden curtains swayed gently beneath the morning breeze.
Fresh flowers rested beside the carved cradle; the fragrance of sacred incense drifted quietly through the room. Outside...the palace had already awakened. Servants hurried through the corridors.
Knights resumed their patrols. Priests offered prayers beneath Lord Urzan’s temple and throughout the empire...only one piece of news was being spoken: the Golden Blood had been born.
Inside the royal nursery...warm morning light spilled gently across the carved cradle. The two hatchlings slept peacefully; the silver hatchling had curled its tiny body around its golden sibling, and the little wings upon their backs were folded neatly against their scales.
Their breathing rose and fell together, calm and peaceful. Almost as though they had been born knowing they would never be separated.
Zyvera quietly leaned closer, her eyes widened, and her voice came barely above a whisper. "...They have wings."
Raviel blinked several times; his gaze remained fixed upon the sleeping hatchlings. "I have read countless records concerning the bloodline of the Prime Alphas...never once did I find mention of hatchlings resembling this."
He slowly crouched beside the cradle as his voice softened.
"They look...so divine."
Silence.
The tiny silver crescent-and-star crests upon their foreheads shimmered faintly beneath the morning light. Even while asleep...they carried an ancient dignity.
Zyvera smiled warmly as she tilted her head. "I wonder...whether they are a prince or a princess."
Levin looked toward the cradle, then a faint smile appeared upon his face as his blue eyes remained upon his children. "I was wondering the very same thing; they have yet to assume their human forms. Perhaps we must wait a little longer."
Just then...soft footsteps echoed from outside. The nursery doors opened. Iru entered carrying a breakfast tray; he bowed respectfully. "My Malika."
Levin nodded, and he placed the tray upon the table before stepping back. "The priests have finished examining the hatchlings."
Levin immediately looked toward him. "And?"
Iru smiled faintly as he glanced toward the sleeping dragon-serpents. "They are healthy, their divine energy is stable, and...they should assume their human forms within a few hours."
Everyone inside the nursery looked toward him. "A few hours?"
Levin asked.
Iru inclined his head. "Yes, Malika. It is a natural process among the descendants of the Prime Alpha. Their bodies require a short period to stabilize after hundreds of nights of hatching."
Levin nodded thoughtfully. "So that is why..."
Iru continued calmly, "Once they assume their human forms...they will require their mother’s milk to continue growing."
Silence.
A very...very uncomfortable silence.
Zyvera blinked. Raviel blinked, and both of them...very, very slowly...turned their heads toward Levin and their eyes unconsciously drifted downward towards his nipples.
Levin followed their gaze and then...very calmly...he pulled his robes closed.
Silence.
His expression remained perfectly blank as he spoke with frightening calmness. "...Would the two of you...like to be executed this morning?"
Both of them froze.
Their faces immediately turned pale. Zyvera lowered her head so quickly she nearly lost her balance. "My deepest apologies, Malika!"
Raviel bowed even deeper; he grabbed Zyvera by the sleeve. "We...we suddenly remembered...that we haven’t registered ourselves as workers of Silthara Palace. They said they need our inspection."
Zyvera nodded rapidly. "Yes! A very urgent inspection!"
"The most urgent inspection!"
Without waiting for permission...the two hurried toward the doors with remarkable speed. The nursery doors closed behind them.
Silence lingered for only a heartbeat.
Then...Iru let out a quiet chuckle. "I must admit...they certainly bring life wherever they go."
Levin sighed. "They always have."
His gaze slowly returned to the cradle. The tiny hatchlings remained asleep, completely unaware of the chaos they had unintentionally caused. The smile upon Levin’s face gradually faded into quiet thought.
He watched them for a long moment and then...almost to himself...he whispered as a small crease formed between his brows. "...But...I am not lactating. How..."
He looked at the two peacefully sleeping children.
"...am I supposed to feed them?"
The nursery fell quiet once again; only the gentle breathing of the Golden Blood answered him. Levin remained seated beside the carved cradle, his fingers slowly brushed across the tiny silver wing folded against one hatchling’s back.
The little dragon-serpent instinctively leaned into his touch; the golden hatchling answered by curling its tiny tail around its sibling.
A faint smile appeared upon Levin’s lips. Then... It slowly disappeared as his voice became barely louder than the morning breeze.
"...I wish...Zer were here."
Silence.
He continued watching his children. "So many things...only their father would know."
A long silence followed, then Levin slowly lifted his head.
"Iru."
"Yes, Malika."
"Summon Prince Sarash."
Iru nodded without question. "As you command."
With that...he quietly departed.
***
[Later — Royal Nursery — Silthara Palace]
The chamber doors opened once more. Prince Sarash entered first. Lady Nyra quietly followed behind him; the little girl had changed greatly since the war. The fear that once lingered within her eyes had become calm determination.
The moment she entered...her gaze immediately found the cradle. The tiny dragon-serpents sleeping peacefully within. For just a heartbeat...the coldness inside her eyes melted.
A gentle warmth replaced it. Sarash stepped forward and bowed deeply. "I greet the Malika."
Lady Nyra followed immediately. "I greet the Malika."
Levin acknowledged them both with a nod. Then...his gaze quietly lingered between them; he noticed something. Something subtle. Sarash and Lady Nyra’s closeness.
And Lady Nyra...without realizing it...now stood where she could see Sarash. Neither spoke of it and neither seemed aware of it. Yet the bond was unmistakable.
Levin smiled faintly, then looked toward the little girl. "Lady Nyra."
She immediately straightened. "Yes, Malika?"
"Have you eaten this morning?"
She nodded obediently. "I have."
"Good. You must continue taking care of yourself."
Nyra lowered her head. "I understand."
Levin slowly rose from beside the cradle, his eyes turned toward Sarash, and his expression became that of a ruler once more. "Prince Sarash."
The prince immediately bowed again.
"I have a request."
Sarash looked up. "My life belongs to Zahryssar, Malika. You need only command."
Levin slowly looked toward the two sleeping hatchlings. "I entrust the heirs to you. As their uncle...and as the one person my husband trusted without hesitation..."
He met Sarash’s eyes.
"I place them under your protection."
Sarash’s expression immediately changed; he lowered himself even further. "Malika...please...Do not phrase it as a request. They are my family as well. My life shall always stand before theirs."
Levin nodded. "I know."
Silence lingered briefly, then Sarash frowned slightly. "...Forgive me for asking...but are you planning to leave somewhere?"
Levin remained silent; his gaze rested upon the cradle. The silver hatchling shifted slightly in its sleep. The golden hatchling nestled closer against it.
A faint smile crossed Levin’s face. "They require answers, answers concerning their blood, their growth, and their future."
His eyes slowly lifted.
"And only one serpent alive possesses those answers."
Understanding dawned upon Sarash; his eyes widened and his voice became tense. "Malika...You intend to visit the Malik."
Levin offered no reply; he simply reached for the shawl resting beside the chair. That silence...was answer enough.
Sarash immediately stepped forward; his composure finally cracked. "My Malika...I beg you...Please reconsider."
His voice had become urgent. "The Malik is within the first instinct. He is no longer governed by reason. He recognizes neither rank...nor affection. He is ruled only by the First Beast. If you approach him now..."
Sarash swallowed heavily.
"...you may place yourself in mortal danger."
The nursery became completely silent. Levin calmly draped the shawl across his shoulders; every movement remained composed, and every gesture carried quiet certainty.
Then...he looked directly at Sarash. "I know."
Those two words held no hesitation, no fear, only acceptance as Levin continued. "I also know...that I am his Malika. I did not stand beside him only during victory. I stood beside him through exile, through war, through death, and through the loss of our empire."
His blue eyes slowly turned toward Lord Urzan’s temple outside the nursery windows. "So I shall also stand beside him...while he wages war against himself."
The room fell silent. Even Sarash found no words. Levin stepped beside the cradle; he gently adjusted the blanket covering the hatchlings, his fingertips briefly resting upon each tiny forehead.
The divine crests shimmered softly beneath his touch, his voice lowered, warm, gentle, and almost fatherly.
"My little lights...If you awaken and turn into a human...and do not find me beside you..." A faint smile touched his lips. "...do not be angry. I shall return before midnight."
The silver hatchling stirred slightly, as though hearing his voice even in sleep.
Levin slowly withdrew his hand and then turned without another word...he walked toward the nursery doors. Each step was steady and resolute.
The steps of a ruler. The steps of a husband. The steps of a father. The doors slowly opened and then closed behind him.
Silence returned.
Lady Nyra quietly approached the cradle; her eyes immediately softened as she looked upon the tiny dragon-serpents. A genuine smile appeared on her face.
"So small..." She whispered. "And yet...they already carry the whole Empire upon their little backs."
Sarash remained standing where Levin had left him; his eyes lingered upon the closed doors. His hands slowly clenched.
Then...he lowered his head toward Lord Urzan’s temple beyond the palace walls. His whisper carried both faith...and fear.
"May Lord Urzan...keep our Malika safe...from the beast that even our Malik cannot yet overcome."
***
[Silthara Palace — Malik’s Private Chamber — Later]
Silence.
The corridor remained empty; no guards stood before the enormous ancient doors, and no attendants dared approach this wing of the palace.
Everyone knew...the Prime Alpha had entered the First Instinct.
And no one...no one...was permitted inside. Levin stood alone before the towering doors; his blue eyes remained fixed upon the ancient serpent carvings etched into the silver stone.
Beyond them...his husband waited. Or perhaps...only the beast remained. A slow breath escaped him, and his fingers instinctively tightened around the edge of his shawl.
Then...he slowly lifted one hand; his fingertips rested against the cold stone. For just a moment...he closed his eyes.
"...I’m coming, Zer."
Silence.
With one steady push...the ancient doors groaned open.
RRRRRRRMMMMMM...
Darkness welcomed him; the doors slowly closed behind him.
BOOOOOM!!
The moment they sealed shut...a monstrous wave of pheromones exploded throughout the chamber. Dark Lotus, heavy, ancient, and wild.
Levin’s entire body froze, his breathing caught inside his throat. The lotus mark behind his neck immediately ignited with brilliant silver light, his knees nearly gave way beneath him, and his voice trembled despite himself.
"...This...is overwhelming..."
Even as his mate...even after everything they had survived together...the sheer dominance pouring from the Prime Alpha suffocated the air itself. Every instinct inside Levin screamed, Run, leave, and escape.
Yet...he took another step. Then another, only candles burned inside the vast chamber; no sunlight entered. Only endless shadows stretched across the enormous room.
The silence became heavier as each step echoed.
Then—
SSSSSSSSRRRRRRRRR...
Something moved far too fast, before Levin could react—
WHOOOOSH!!
An enormous silver tail burst from the darkness. It wrapped tightly around his ankle.
Levin’s eyes widened. "What—?!"
YAAAAANK!!
His body was violently dragged across the polished stone floor.
"Agh—!"
The darkness swallowed everything; his hands instinctively reached for the floor, but it was too late. The pull stopped as suddenly as it had begun.
Silence.
Levin slowly lifted his head and then...his breathing stopped. The chamber...was a vast sea of darkness, and within that darkness...something enormous watched him.
An immense silver serpent. Its colossal body coiled throughout the chamber like a living mountain. Layer after layer of gleaming silver scales disappeared into the shadows beyond sight.
Golden eyes burned within the darkness, not warm, not gentle, but predatory and ancient. The eyes of the First Beast.
Levin remained utterly still; the serpent remained utterly still. Only those burning golden eyes watched him unblinking.
Then...the gigantic head slowly descended.
Closer.
Closer.
Closer.
Each movement carried terrifying power until its enormous face hovered directly before Levin. The beast stared, studying him and judging him. Its breath washed over Levin like a warm desert wind.
Levin swallowed; his heartbeat thundered, and yet...he did not retreat. His voice came quietly and softly.
"...Zer..."
The golden eyes never blinked. Levin slowly forced himself to smile.
"It is me, your Moonflower."
The enormous serpent tilted its head once...almost curiously. Then it inhaled deeply. Its nose brushed against Levin’s neck; the Lotus Mark instantly blazed beneath his skin.
Silver light answered the dark lotus surrounding them; the chamber trembled, and the serpent froze. For several endless heartbeats...nothing moved.
Then...the enormous tail abandoned Levin’s ankle. Instead...it coiled around his waist, firm, possessive, and inescapable.
Levin could barely breathe as he was lifted effortlessly into the air.
Higher.
Higher.
Until they were eye to eye. Silver light suddenly rippled across the enormous serpent; the colossal body shifted. Scales melted into pale skin, and the monstrous head reshaped.
Yet the feeling of danger never lessened...it grew worse, much worse. Before Levin now stood Zeramet. Half-human and half-serpent.
Long silver hair flowed wildly around him. Silver scales still covered portions of his neck, shoulders, and arms; his enormous serpent tail remained tightly wrapped around Levin’s waist, holding him exactly where he wanted him.
Golden eyes burned with something far older than anger and possession. Instinct, the First Beast.
Slowly...Zeramet leaned closer, so close that Levin could feel every breath against his skin; his nose brushed lightly across Levin’s neck once more.
Again.
Again.
Again.
Searching and hunting. Then...his expression changed, the golden eyes darkened, and his grip tightened painfully.
A low growl rumbled from deep within his chest. It shook the chamber.
"...Another male."
His voice no longer sounded entirely human. It carried the weight of a predator, ancient, cold, and territorial.
Again...he inhaled Levin’s scent...longer this time. The growl deepened.
"...I can still smell him."
Levin’s heartbeat stumbled before he could answer. Zeramet’s hand suddenly closed around his jaw, firm and unyielding. Forcing Levin to meet those blazing golden eyes.
The Prime Alpha’s voice dropped into a dangerous whisper; every word was measured. Every syllable...barely restrained.
"Tell me..."
A long silence stretched between them. Then the First Beast finally asked as his fingers tightened slightly.
"Where...did that corrupted serpent touch you?"
Silence.
The chamber seemed to hold its breath, and Levin realized...he was no longer speaking to the gentle husband he loved; he was standing before the First Beast, a possessive tyrant...who intended to hunt every memory...every scent...and every trace...left behind by another male.