Her Identity

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CHAPTER 31

Seated majestically on his throne, Xavier straightened his back the instant he felt their presence close by.

Unlike Xander whose aura was pretty much relatable, Zeno's and the intruder did not leave a mark in his memory.

Not that he bothered so much about it. At the very least, he knew this was due to his extreme closeness to the latter.

The huge doors pushed open on their own to reveal his visitor. And just like Zeno, he was least prepared to see the form the intruder came in as.

For some seconds, he said nothing and kept his narrowed gaze on her while assessing her powers from where she stood.

On the other hand, Sky stood her ground at the entrance of the throne room and waited for his welcome before proceeding inside.

However, seconds seemed to pass away but there was no response from the king whose eyes remained glued to her.

From where she stood, she took her time to assess him, mentally comparing him with what legends of old had stated in chronicles and books.

All the rumours about him, not one was true. Well not entirely considering most were evil rumours.

If there was anything they were right about though, it was the fact that his handsomeness put most beauties to shame.

And his bewitching sharp cold gaze that made the hearts of ladies stop was another added quality, Sky was so eager to see at this point.

The stylish way his hair was left to cascade down his chest and back, adding to the charm his physique and personality gave, Sky couldn't feel more worthy of being in his presence.

Not getting any welcome or go ahead, she braced up and straightened her back as her eyelashes lowered in reverence.

Taking a step forward, her heartbeat increased exponentially but being one who had led so many of those steps down before King Jared and other higher-ranking officials, she masked every sign of nervousness and took the bull by the horn.

Once she took the first step, Zeno followed after her and together they went in, till they came to the foot of the flight of stairs leading to his throne and bowed.

To Zeno's astonishment, she not only lowered her head but bent her waist as well and gave her customary greetings.

"Your Majesty," Sky began. "Greetings."

"Hmm."

His eyes remained dim as he assessed her aura from a closer standpoint.

Unlike the others who waited for his approval before they lifted their heads, she did no such thing and rose after a few heartbeats.

"Your Majesty," Zeno started. He had intended on announcing her properly before him but his words remained unspoken when Xavier cut him off.

He held up his palm and shifted out of his seat a little as he leaned forward while resting his chin on his knuckles with his ever-stern gaze on her.

"You… What gave you the right to walk into my aisle without my permission?"

"As a matter of fact, I didn't. If there was anything, I came invited," Sky politely explained.

Her eyes twinkled as though the person she stood before wasn't a monster dreaded by all.

To her he was just another dragon royal like the others she had had the opportunity of being in their presence.

"Okay. Let me properly rephrase the question, I suppose. Who are you that the Aisle would grant easy access to? Why does your aura differ so much from the others yet hold a strong presence?"

"I love your insight, Your Majesty but I expected more from you. I guess I am a tad bit disappointed."

Zeno's brows arched at her. He did not know whether she had lost her senses with the years of her absence or was it that she had become stupidly bold?

At the same time, Xavier's forehead creased even more but he did not try to refute her words.

The only stunning change on his calm face aside from the crease was the side smile that formed on his lips.

"You see, I was about to state the same thing. I expected better security but the Aisle let me in with ease and if she did, then there must be a reason and for you being one of, if not the strongest ruler out there, I expected you to have figured that out."

A low scoff fell off his lips and he pushed back into his throne as he let his right-hand rest on the armrest.

"Interesting. Witty, different, pure aura, familiar presence, a stunning image of one so familiar but…"

"Do not tell me that having been sealed away for ten thousand years has made Your Majesty's memory rusty or fuzzy?" Sky interjected sharply.

She was not bothered about what he would do to her as she had always been this way since she was a kid.

At one point her father feared what might become of her should she carry on this way.

It was also why she left the kingdom. Unlike he, who could serve his ideals just to merit the favour of the new king, she couldn't.

She dished out the problems as she saw it fit. Anything different from that, wasn't her person.

And if she was to serve this king, she wished to know if his mouth could match hers or tame hers and if not, could he tolerate it?

"Well, since you do not wish to know, I won't tell you," Xavier replied more calmly than before.

The way they spoke made Zeno, who had nothing but fear and respect for Xavier, jealous.

They felt like two old friends conversing about happy times in a sarcastic but friendly manner.

"However, I could easily pick these out. Do you think I would still not know who you are?"

Xavier's mouth twisted into a wry smile and the dark eyes that sought hers held a trace of humor.

"So, what could you come up with? You know I do not mince words, right?" She questioned while crossing her arms in front of her chest and taking a step forward as her hair danced behind her in an enchanting manner.

"If you fail to surprise me, Your Majesty, I would feel…"

"Save it, Pendragon. Skylar Pendragon."

Her eyes flew open hearing him call out her full name. At most, she had expected him to guess her surname but never would she have expected him to do this.

Sensing that as his cue, Zeno lowered his head before the throne and introduced, "Presenting, her ladyship, Sky Pendragon. Heiress to the Pendragon Clan."

Her chest rose slightly as she managed to hold her breath while doing all she could to maintain her earlier composure.

Casting a side glance at him, her smile returned. "Thank you, Lord Zeno, but I am no longer heiress of the Pendragon clan."

He let his eyes drop close and nodded in understanding.

Taking it from there, Sky returned her gaze back to the throne and the slightly amused Xavier.

When she glanced at him, he was eyeing her, a knowing smile twisting his lips.

"Allow me to properly introduce myself. I am Sky, leader of the outlaws of Drakenflare. Supporter of none and fighter of justice."

"Then why are you here, Skylar?"

"Sky," she corrected quickly. "I would prefer being called Sky."

"Why?"

"First, it sounds like the male version, Skyler and two, my annoying father loves calling me that alone."

"I see. Well, I can say the annoying part runs through all generations of the Pendragon clan. And in respect to your inner question as to how I got to know your full name, I guess we can call it even."

Her brows knitted together as she tried to understand what he meant.

"Even?"

"Yes."

"How?"

"The very same way you gained access into my palace."

"But the aisle allowed me. I do not know of anywhere in the record of time past where she could tell things unknown to the royals," Sky protested.

"She," his gaze swept across the room before coming to rest on her again. "She did not. However, she is connected to the divine tree. And from what I can sense, you have made contact with it, making your aura pure. For that reason, the aisle welcomed you."

"Wait, you mean the divine tree showed you… She told you my name, huh."

"Glad you aren't as slow as you look. Perfect."

She clenched her jaw tight at his savaged reply. In the end, she had to swallow it.

She was the one who began this verbal war and from the looks of things, he was the type who would try to tame her.

Her lips tugged upwards at the side, revealing a side smile as she noted, "She betrayed me."

"What were you expecting? The mother divine tree to side with an outcast over a royal? I think not."

Her lips parted to counter his words. Sadly, he cut her off before she could say anything.

"Do your homework, Skylar, we are connected. Our blood nourishes the divine tree. A deeper pact exists between the royals than any other clan."

Her lips twisted into a sardonic smile. She knew she was an outcast but having him use it in such a context wasn't nice.

"And back to my earlier question, since you support no one, why have you come before the most dangerous being in Maestherial?"

"Because the dragon race would be lost without its true ruler," Sky responded quickly.

Xavier squinted as he threw out his next question. "Even though I killed so many in Maestherial?"

"I know you do not hide or deny your sins, but then, I believe there is more than what was told."

Judging from how his eyes narrowed further, she knew she had got him there.

"After all, a villain is only a villain based on the point of view of who is telling the story."