THE GENERAL'S DISGRACED HEIR

The corridors of Veylith's domain twisted and folded like origami made of shadow and starlight, guiding David through passages that defied conventional geometry. Stone walls rippled like water, reforming themselves into new configurations with each step he took. What had been a doorway moments before became a mirror, then a window overlooking impossible vistas, then a doorway again leading deeper into the labyrinthine structure.

David found the experience oddly soothing after the chaos of Seraphina's mindscape. Here, at least, the impossibilities followed their own internal logic, responding to Veylith's will rather than tearing themselves apart in conflict. The architecture pulsed with old magic, each stone infused with centuries of accumulated power.

Like walking through the nervous system of a sleeping god, he mused, one hand trailing along walls that shifted from rough stone to polished marble to what felt like living coral beneath his fingertips.

The path eventually opened into the main hall of the Inverted Cup, now restored to its elegant tavern form. Gone were the horrors and theatrical illusions, replaced by warm burgundy furnishings, polished wooden floors, and the gentle glow of crystalline chandeliers. The space breathed with comfortable luxury, designed to put visitors at ease while subtly demonstrating the owner's refined tastes.

Veylith sat at a circular table near the center of the room, her wine-colored hair cascading over one shoulder as she delicately sipped from a porcelain teacup. She had changed from her dramatic ensemble into something more approachable, a flowing black dress with silver embroidery that caught the light as she moved. Yet even in casual attire, her presence commanded attention, ancient power contained within an elegant frame.

"David," she said without looking up, her musical voice carrying perfectly across the space. "Please, sit. You look like a man who's been wrestling with gods."

David approached cautiously, noting the second teacup already prepared at the table. Steam rose from its surface in spiraling patterns that seemed almost too perfect to be natural, it was obvious that the mistress of the creed would know his true identity as a De Gor. "I wasn't sure you'd want company so soon after... everything."

"On the contrary," Veylith smiled, finally raising her crimson eyes to meet his. "I find myself quite curious about the young man who managed to destroy my tormentor, save my niece, and somehow knows far more about my personal history than should be possible."

David settled into the offered chair, immediately feeling the exhaustion of the day settling into his bones. The mental clarity tea's aroma reached him, sharp mint mixed with something floral and an underlying note that made his thoughts feel clearer just from breathing it in.

"Before you even think of refusing," Veylith continued, noticing his hesitation, "that's a mental clarity potion. After what you've been through in Seraphina's mindscape, you'll need it."

David's hand froze halfway to the cup. "You noticed that?"

"Of course I noticed." Veylith's laugh was like silver bells chiming. "Mindscape intrusion leaves very distinctive magical residue, especially when it involves two conflicting heritage lines and divine intervention. The technique for actually entering another's mindscape has been lost for over three millennia, which makes your accomplishment all the more... intriguing."

David carefully lifted the teacup, buying time to consider his response. The liquid within was a pale green that seemed to shift between transparency and opacity as he watched. When he sipped it, the effect was immediate, mental fog he hadn't even realized was there began to lift, and the phantom pressure from his encounter with the oceanic Sovereign finally faded.

"Better?" Veylith asked, noting the subtle relaxation in his posture.

"Much. Thank you." David set the cup down, meeting her gaze directly. "Though I suspect this kindness comes with expectations."

"Perceptive." Veylith's smile sharpened slightly. "I have several expectations, actually. First, I want to formally thank you for destroying that vampire knight. You've freed me from a burden I've carried for over four thousand years."

The weight of genuine gratitude in her voice surprised David. For a moment, the ancient witch's mask slipped, revealing raw relief and something that might have been wonder. Her crimson eyes held depths of emotion that spoke to centuries of constant vigilance finally ended.

"Second," she continued, her tone shifting to something more complex, "I want to thank you for saving Seraphina. Seeing her heritage finally awakened, seeing her safe and whole..." She paused, gathering herself. "It means more to me than you can possibly understand."

"But?" David prompted, sensing the shift in atmosphere.

Veylith's aura suddenly exploded outward, not with malice but with the weight of accumulated power. The air grew thick and oppressive, making David's skin prickle with static electricity. His tea trembled in its cup as reality itself seemed to bend slightly around the ancient witch.

"But," Veylith said, her voice carrying harmonics that made the crystalline chandeliers chime softly, "I haven't forgotten that you had intercourse with my niece. In front of me. While she was unconscious and vulnerable."

David felt sweat bead on his forehead as the pressure intensified. He knew enough about witch culture to understand the taboo he'd apparently violated, their species held very specific views about intimacy, viewing male sexuality as inherently predatory unless strictly controlled for certain experiments.

Shit, he thought, carefully setting his teacup down. Should have considered cultural.....

Veylith's laughter cut through his panic, bright and genuinely amused. The oppressive aura vanished as quickly as it had appeared, leaving David feeling like a man who'd just discovered the sword hanging over his head was made of paper.

"Oh, your face!" she giggled, actually giggling, the sound so at odds with her ancient dignity that David wondered if the tea had been drugged. "You should see yourself right now. Pure terror."

"That wasn't funny," David said flatly, though relief was already flooding through him.

"It was a little funny." Veylith wiped at her eyes, still chuckling. "But truly, David, I don't follow traditional witch beliefs about such things. My sister....." Her expression sobered, and she paused for a moment of respectful silence. "My sister chose to love a human man, and that union gave us Seraphina. Ever since then, I've been... curious about the dynamics between males and females."

She leaned forward slightly, her crimson eyes glittering with renewed interest. "Watching you two together, seeing how she responded to you even in that state... it was quite educational. Tell me, is that level of trust typical between human lovers, or is there something deeper at work?"

David felt heat creep up his neck, suddenly aware of how thoroughly Veylith had observed their intimate moment. The ancient witch's clinical curiosity was somehow more unsettling than her earlier threat.

"That's..." he began, then stopped, recognizing the conversational trap. Veylith was probing for information about his relationship with Seraphina while simultaneously putting him off-balance with personal questions. Classic interrogation technique, wrapped in apparent innocent curiosity.

Time to regain control of this conversation.

"You're very good at misdirection," David said with a slight smile, settling back in his chair. "But I didn't come here to discuss my relationship with Seraphina. You mentioned wanting to know how I learned about your history. I'm willing to share some information, but only if we're going to be partners rather than interrogator and subject."

Veylith's expression shifted, respect flickering in her ancient eyes. "Straight to business then. Very well. I'm listening," though a flicker of disappointment ran through her eyes