Pelion remained hovering in the air above the hall, the black flame bird beneath him slowly flapping its wings.
He looked down at Darius and gave a satisfied smile. "What a good choice, Lord Darius."
His tone carried clear amusement. "Trust me. Joining us is a very wise decision."
Darius stood still in the center of the hall.
The earlier confrontation had already drained some of the tension from his face, but the frustration in his eyes had not disappeared.
Pelion leaned forward slightly on the back of the bird.
"For now," he continued, "you should come with me."
His smile widened. "The Chimera Lord is waiting."
Several of the Draconia elders exchanged uneasy glances when they heard that title.
Darius frowned. "What about my territory?"
His voice carried a trace of impatience.
Pelion chuckled. "Of course, the territory remains important."
He casually gestured around the hall. "But the moment you join us, it is no longer just yours."
Darius's eyes narrowed.
