As soon as the old man, Theros, entered the room, a tense silence filled the space. The other mages at the table had their heads lowered, avoiding the old man’s intense gaze. He scanned the room, his eyes moving from person to person until they landed on Orion and me. Unlike the others, we did not lower our heads but met his wise eyes. He smiled and then spoke.

"I have been made aware that these gentlemen have requested the Fatebound Vow.”

“Y-yes, Archmage Theros,” Lilith stuttered. “The white one did.”

“You will address our guests with respect, Miss Lilith,” Theros warned, his voice solemn as his merry eyes turned stern.

“I-I apologize, Archmage Theros!” Lilith exclaimed nervously. “Orion the White asked for the Fatebound Vow after he and his group were caught using the gate between The Fey Dominion and Vixen’s Veil!” As she stumbled over her words and the situation grew tenser, I burst into laughter.

Every person in the room turned their attention to me, their eyes wide in disbelief. Even Lyra, who wasn’t supposed to speak unless prompted, gasped in shock. Orion chuckled, and across the room, Silas mimicked a silent clap.

“Something funny, brat?” the lightning mage Blythe asked, gritting her teeth.

“Yes. Yes, it is,” I answered, catching Blythe’s glare before turning my attention to Lilith, who was seething in her seat. “You were so full of yourself yesterday, and look at you now. Whimpering like a scared little pet in front of someone superior—pathetic,” I provoked.

My words made Lilith’s eyebrows furrow and her teeth clench. Orion laughed beside me. Silas was having the time of his life, and the rest of the table was at a loss for words.

This provocation on my part may seem unnecessary to some, but I promise it is more than necessary. We are no longer being questioned as prisoners, but invited as equal members of the council. The moment Orion called upon the Fatebound Vow was the moment we became equals, and we now have as much freedom of speech as they do. Respect is earned, not given; if they decide to disrespect us, they better be ready to receive the same treatment. But deep down, I wanted to shame Lilith; I wanted her to feel less, to experience the humiliation she inflicted on Lyra. I wanted her to grovel on all fours and act like the pet she thought Lyra to be.

“What is your name, boy?” Theros asked.

“It’s Valerian, sir,” I replied.

“Valerian, Miss Lilith, comes from a prestigious family in Eldoria. You can’t speak so loosely with her. There’s an old saying: ‘Speak ill of an honored family in their home, and ill will be your end.’ If you insult someone of higher status and you’re not their equal, I can take your head for such comments. Those are the rules for all those of this world,” Theros warned.

“What if I’m not from this world?” I questioned, surprising everyone.

I stood up, moved Lyra aside, and said, “Move, my ember.” She complied, and everyone watched impatiently. Onyx and Blythe sat at the edges of their seats, ready for a battle. I had promised myself not to hide who I am or what I am; I would reveal it on my own terms. Stepping back, I summoned my dark wings for all to see.

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“Do you know what these are?” I asked.

“They are avian wings!” Theros marveled, rising from his seat. “I’ve heard of mortals who claim to be from another world called Elyria and call themselves avians! Many historians dismiss your existence, claiming those who speak of Elyria have gone mad! How fascinating!”

“These wings set me apart from the rest of you. The rules you set do not apply to me. You said it yourself; those who are of this world must follow the rules, but I am not of this world. Do those rules still apply to me? It is my courtesy that I share this table with you, not my duty. And if I wished, I could leave this room just as I entered it. It is by my own free will that I am part of this negotiation, and all you have done since we arrived is belittle us. I demand an apology, and while you’re at it, I want Lilith to grovel before Lyra and apologize for all she has done.”

My words created another tense silence.

“Our rules may not apply to you, but what makes you so certain we need to comply with yours? If books have taught me anything, avians may be immortal, but they are not unkillable,” Theros said, questioning my motives. The rest of the mages were at a loss for words.

“We are not,” I admitted. “But you wouldn’t dare to kill one, especially when one is offering you help, and you have the Fatebound Vow on your side to bind me to your will,” I countered, to which he smiled.

“Everyone. Apologize,” he commanded.

“I apologize,” Onyx complied immediately after Theros gave the order.

“Not you,” I interrupted him. “The one next to you, Blythe, was it?”

“It is,” she answered through gritted teeth, electricity sparking atop her clenched fists.

“Apologize,” I demanded.

“For what?”

“You called us bums. That wasn’t very nice of you; you could’ve hurt my feelings, and Silas over there is a really sensitive soul,” I joked. Silas chimed in, “I am.”

Feeling Theros’s intense glare, Blythe finally gave in.

“I apologize for my unsightly behavior,” she said with a hint of sarcasm, but I let it slide, finding the situation amusing.

I then turned to Fabian, who was standing silently behind Orion.

“You’ve been awfully quiet, Greasy Head,” I said, grabbing his hair and yanking it back just like he had done to Lyra. “Apologize, now!”

“I-I apologize! P-Please, let go of me!” he pleaded.

“I believe in the saying ‘treat others as you wish to be treated.’ Do you like to belittle slaves? Do you think you’re better than them?” I asked, clasping his greasy hair.

“I-I do not!” he whimpered, on the verge of tears, falling to his knees.

“You’re lying,” I yanked harder, pulling out a large portion of his slimy hair, leaving a bald spot in the middle. Kneeling beside him, I whispered a warning meant for his ears alone. “The next time you look at Lyra wrong or say something degrading, it will be your tongue that gets ripped from that foul-smelling mouth of yours. Understand?”

“Y-yes...” he sobbed, curling into a fetal position while clutching the bald spot on his skull.

“On all fours, now,” I commanded in a low tone, turning my gaze to Lilith, who had fear in her red eyes and trembling pale skin.

She looked to Theros, hoping for intervention, but he gave her the same indifferent look she had given Lyra right before she was about to die. Gulping, she got to her feet and hesitantly walked to Lyra, who seemed unsure of how to react. Orion smiled like a madman the whole time, as did Onyx. But the reaction that surprised me the most was from the water mage, Luna Seamist. Previously calm and inscrutable behind her blindfold, this time she covered her mouth with a pale hand and giggled. It dawned on me that none of these people liked each other, and they relished in each other’s suffering.

Lilith crouched, placing her hands on the floor and arching her spine in front of Lyra.

“What a loyal dog you are. Now, bark.”

With a slight hesitation, she complied, barking twice. I stepped back to better observe the sight of Lyra and her dog. Lilith was beyond humiliated, gritting her teeth so hard that droplets of bloody saliva dripped down her chin. Lyra, however, remained silent, her eyes cold and full of resentment for the person before her. A slight smile crept across her lips; she clearly enjoyed the sight. I can’t take back the words I’ve said, but I can give you a taste of freedom, where your tormentors bow before you, a mere slave. It’s up to you to decide if you like the taste.

“Now, shall we finally begin the negotiations?” I said, pleased with the outcome.

“We shall,” Theros replied.