The Broken Halo

Chapter 1065 - 1064: The Varn Family

Simon followed Seraya through a passage overlooking the lake.

Water shimmered beneath the glass bridges outside. A pair of servants carrying covered trays stepped aside as they approached, bowing before continuing in the opposite direction.

”Does your whole family live here?” he asked.

”Yes. Though getting everyone to sit at the same table can be troublesome.”

”And today?”

”Today, they’re curious.”

She glanced at him, then stopped before a pair of tall doors.

Dark wood filled their golden frames. Across both panels, silver branches spread around clusters of amber fruit, the carvings joining neatly where the doors met.

Two guards stood on either side.

They bowed to Seraya, then each took a handle and pulled.

The scent of roasted meat reached Simon first.

He stepped inside beside her.

The dining room curved along the edge of the lake, with tall windows covering most of the outer wall. Beyond them, water reflected the flowering balconies above. Pale curtains had been drawn back and fastened with gold cords.

Overhead, hundreds of small crystals hung from a golden frame shaped like spreading branches. Their light fell across a ceiling painted with clouds and winged beasts.

Simon’s gaze lingered on a long, white creature winding between the clouds.

Its scales had been made from tiny pieces of pearl.

Even from below, he could distinguish each one.

A dark red carpet led toward the dining table. Along its edges, silver thread formed waves that seemed to move as he walked past.

There were paintings here too, though fewer than in the entrance hall. Between them stood tall cabinets containing delicate cups, carved bowls, and bottles sealed with wax.

One bottle rested alone inside a small protective formation.

Simon wondered how much a drink from that would cost.

Then he looked at the table.

Its polished black surface reflected the chandelier above. Gold ran along the edges, curling around the legs, while the chairs had high backs and thick cream cushions.

Seven places had been prepared.

And the food...

A whole roasted fish lay on a silver platter, its crisp skin split to reveal white flesh beneath. Thin slices of red fruit had been arranged around it, their juice mixing with the sauce.

Nearby, thick pieces of meat glistened beneath a dark glaze. Steam rose from a bowl of soup filled with pale mushrooms and finely cut herbs.

There were small birds roasted until their skin turned brown, shells filled with curled white meat, and warm rolls stacked beneath a folded cloth. Bowls of purple berries rested on crushed ice beside delicate cakes covered in cream.

Simon could sense traces of demonic energy coming from several dishes.

Even the herbs used to decorate the plates were valuable.

He had attended royal feasts in his past life. This table would not have looked out of place at any of them.

”You certainly know how to welcome a guest,” he said quietly.

Seraya followed his gaze.

”I’ll tell the cooks you approve.”

”I haven’t tasted anything yet.”

”Then you can tell them yourself afterward.”

He smiled and turned his attention to the five Daegrins waiting at the table.

All of them were watching him.

Darik was easy to recognize. The others were unfamiliar, though the resemblance between them left little doubt about their relationship.

Seraya led Simon closer.

”Allow me to introduce my family.”

She gestured toward the man seated at the head of the table.

”My father, Zarven Varn. The First Merchant and Lord of the Daegrins.”

The man placed his glass on the table.

His silver hair was drawn back and secured with a narrow gold band. A short, neatly trimmed beard framed his mouth, and faint red markings extended from his temples toward his jaw.

His eyes were a deep amber.

Simon had expected someone older.

Zarven looked to be in the prime of his life, with broad shoulders beneath a dark purple robe. Gold leaves had been sewn along its collar and sleeves, each one so finely made that the veins caught the light.

A square black ring rested on his right hand.

There were tiny runes within it.

Simon noticed them shift when Zarven moved his fingers.

”Lord Varn.”

He inclined his head.

Zarven returned the gesture, his expression pleasant.

His gaze briefly passed over Simon’s horns before settling on his face. Unlike the stares in the streets, there was no distraction in it.

Simon had the distinct impression that the man was paying attention to everything.

His plain robe. His posture. The ease with which he stood before the family.

Whatever conclusions Zarven reached, he kept them to himself.

”And my mother, Maelis Varn.”

The woman seated to Zarven’s right closed the pale jade fan resting between her fingers.

Her silver hair had been swept upward, held in place by a gold comb decorated with small pearls. A few loose strands curved beside her cheeks.

Her eyes were violet.

They were striking against her ash-grey skin, and Simon could see something of Seraya in the shape of her face.

Maelis wore a cream gown with a high collar. Fine gold chains crossed its shoulders, and a single dark pearl hung at her throat.

She carried fewer jewels than some of the women Simon had seen in the city.

Yet nothing about her seemed less wealthy.

”Lady Varn.”

”I hope you were comfortable in the guest room.”

Her voice was gentle and clear.

”Very comfortable. The view alone would have made it difficult to complain.”

Maelis smiled.

”Seraya chose well, then.”

Beside Simon, Seraya looked pleased.

She turned toward the man seated farther down the table.

”This is Tavian Varn, the eldest of my brothers.”

The second child, then.

Tavian rose just enough to offer a courteous greeting before settling back into his chair.

His silver hair was longer than Darik’s, gathered into a single braid that rested over his shoulder. A small gold clasp held its end.

But it was his eyes that caught Simon’s attention.

One was amber, much like his father’s.

The other was pale grey.

Both studied him with open interest.

Tavian wore a fitted blue coat, its silver embroidery gathered around the cuffs rather than spread across the entire garment. A thin chain ran from a fastening on his chest into an inner pocket.

”You’ve given us an interesting afternoon,” he said.

Simon raised a brow.

”Have I?”

Tavian’s smile deepened.

Before he could answer, Seraya moved on.

”My younger sister, Neris. She comes after Tavian.”

The young woman beside him straightened.

A moment earlier, she had been holding a glass halfway toward her mouth.

She still hadn’t taken a drink.

Her eyes were fixed on Simon’s horns.

”Neris.”

”I heard you.”

Her gaze dropped to Simon’s face.

That did not seem to help.

Neris had shoulder-length silver hair, with one side held back by a blue butterfly ornament. Its jeweled wings shifted gently whenever she moved.

Her dress was pale blue, with small clear gems sewn along the sleeves and neckline. They glittered when she finally lowered her glass.

Unlike her mother’s composed attention, her interest was easy to read.

Simon gave her a polite nod.

”Lady Neris.”

”Just Neris is fine.”

The answer came quickly.

Tavian glanced at her.

She ignored him.

Up close, her eyes were a bright blue, and the faint red markings beneath them curved toward her temples. Her fingers touched the butterfly in her hair before dropping to the table.

”You have beautiful horns.”

Silence followed.

Neris seemed to realize how directly she had spoken.

”I meant... I’ve never seen ones quite like them.”

Simon smiled.

”Thank you.”

Her own smile appeared immediately.

Seraya watched her sister for a moment, then continued before she could say anything else.

”And you’ve already met Darik. Our youngest brother.”

The fourth child sat across from Neris.

He had changed into a black coat with gold cuffs. A dark red gem fastened its collar, close to the red veins along his neck.

His short silver hair had been neatly arranged, and there was no blood at the corner of his mouth now.

His expression, however, had not improved much.

”We have,” Simon said.

Darik looked at him.

For a moment, Simon wondered whether he would say something foolish again.

Then Darik gave a stiff nod.

Nothing more.

Simon accepted it without bringing up their earlier meeting.

There was no need to make the young demon’s evening any worse.

He looked over the family once more.

Zarven waited calmly at the head of the table. Maelis rested her closed fan beside her plate. Tavian’s mismatched eyes moved between Simon and his younger brother, while Neris was making a rather poor attempt not to stare.

Seraya stepped slightly aside.

”Father, Mother... everyone. This is Blackmoon, our guest.”

Her gaze moved toward Simon.

”He is the one who killed the Brineback Mauler.”