Vulcan

When Ezekiel turned his gaze back to Tarah, he noticed that she was currently staring at him. Their eyes met, his flaming eyes locked onto her glacial stare. Something in her truly intrigued him, and some doubt about her circumstances still lingered inside him.

Although the more he looked at her, the more he had come to admit that he had never seen someone as beautiful as Tarah. Her silver-white hair and frosty blue eyes shimmered in the light, casting a scintillating glow that enhanced her radiance even further. Black hair might've suited her in the past, but having silver-white hair like this simply fit her too perfectly. She was indescribably stunning and alluring… and…

Ezekiel suddenly realized that his thoughts had strayed. His eyes widened, and he quickly shook his head to clear his head. 

What was wrong with him? This wasn't the time for him to think about something like this! He shouldn't let his guard down. After all, Tarah could still be that woman whom he should be wary of!

"Your Highness, is there something wrong?" Tarah asked, barely a whisper. "You've been staring at me quite often, and I feel as if something's bothering you."

"Tell me, Tarah, what have you seen about me?" Ezekiel suddenly asked, his eyes narrowing at the seer. "You've mentioned before that you've been seeing me in your dreams. Tell me everything."

"I … I'm still unsure of some things, Your Highness. Some of them were blurred in my vision," Tarah admitted. "All I know is that I must stay with you, Your Highness. You will need me in order to help control your power. The rise of the Dragon King will happen soon, and you won't be able to control Vulcan without me… You need me to rule the world." 

Hearing that, Ezekiel's eyes darkened. He glowered, "You… You must never mention this to anyone, especially to Xenia or any of my family!"

Tarah suddenly flinched with how his voice changed. Seeing her reaction, he quickly followed, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. It's just that I don't want my family to worry even more…"

"I-I understand, Your Highness," Tarah promised as soon as she managed to stop herself from shaking. "I will never mention this to anyone else as you request."

A brief silence settled between them. After a while, Ezekiel broke it with a question.

"Vulcan… So that's the name of the dragon inside me right now?" he inquired.

"Yes," Tarah nodded. "He is the King of all Dragons, and he chose you when you were still in your mother's womb. Unfortunately, that's all I know for now." She then added, "Still, you must overcome his influence in your body. He will try to take over once you turn thirty… There will be a transition, and you must never let Vulcan wholly take you over. Instead, you must dominate it to submission."

"How can I control it then?" Ezekiel promptly asked.

Tarah smiled as she cryptically replied, "Like I said, I must stay close to you, Your Highness."

Ezekiel raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"We'll be stuck with each other," Tarah answered. "Wherever you go, I go with you. Wherever you stay, I stay by your side. Like now, I must stay with you in your tent like this…"

"And how does staying with you can help me control it?" 

Tarah had a timid smile as she firmly answered, "I am not sure yet with the exact details but in my vision, it seems like you're able to only calm down from Vulcan's control whenever I'm near…"

Ezekiel couldn't help but sigh at her revelations. He didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Nevertheless, if that was what it took to keep his family safe, then so be it.

Meanwhile, Tarah felt utterly confused by the prince's mood swings. But despite her unease, she managed to gather enough strength within her to be direct and vocal with him. What she told him was all true. He needed her, but she also needed him. 

Tarah recalled the vision from earlier while Ezekiel was writing his letter a while ago. Her body started trembling again as her face paled at the memory. If she stayed in Ezekiel's tent like last night, then there would be a big chance that the vision she just saw could be prevented. She must do something…

"I… I see myself being in danger if I stay in the tent on the other side," she suddenly murmured, almost a gasp. "Please… let me stay here." 

"I am a man, Tarah, and you're a maiden," Ezekiel pointed out.

"You didn't see it as a problem yesterday when you commanded me to stay and sleep here," Tarah countered. "Besides, I'm your Seer, and I trust you. I know for a fact that there will be no safer place for me except near you."

"Tell me then, Tarah. How exactly will you be in danger?" Ezekiel dubiously asked. "What did you see that would happen to you if you moved to the tent beside me?"

There was a terse silence as Tarah hesitated. "I… I'll be sexually harassed while I'm asleep."

"What?!" Ezekiel burst out. "Who would dare do that here?! Tell me now so that I can kill that bastard!" 

His expression turned dark, and Tarah gulped as the killing intent that emanated off him threatened to overwhelm her.

Her lips trembled as she whispered, "It's the Demon King, Devon. You saw a while ago how he manifested himself in that spy. I don't know how he would do it, but in my vision, he finds a way to enter my tent and-"

Tarah couldn't bring herself to say more. Thankfully, Ezekiel was quick to say something.

"You will stay here then. I will make sure that this tent will be well-protected," he firmly declared. "I will also have the whole encampment searched to make sure that there isn't a single spy from Helion still alive by the end of the day."