The flickering candlelight cast shifting shadows across the stone walls of Elias' chamber, the air thick with incense. He sat comfortably in the cushioned chair at the table near his balcony, a wine goblet in his hand, as Queen Ravena studied him from across the table. The tension in the room wasn't that of hostility, but measured curiosity, on both their parts.

  This time, she'd come alone, no guards by her side. Just her in a deep burgundy gown, regal, yet undeniably feminine. "You aren't the first man I've had stay in my court," she said, swirling the goblet in her own hand, "although you are the most...well built."

  Elias smirked, "I've had to be for most of my life, although lucky for you, I haven't gotten new clothes since I've been here. So enjoy stealing glances while you can." Her eyes danced with amusement, as a small smile nearly broke out across her face, "Tell me about your empire, Elias and the lands you ruled before you were summoned here."

  Elias took a slow sip of his wine, before setting the goblet down, "The Imperium." He briefly closed his eyes, thinking back on his accomplishments. "A vast empire built on conquest and diplomacy alike. It was once divided, fractured land ruled by lesser men, I put an end to that."

  Her gaze sharpened, "You speak as though you did this alone."

  He inclined his head, "Not at first, I had help from friends, but after a five year long war...some became memories. Those that weren't moved from the capital because it reminded them of what that war cost us to win." A long silence stretched between them, filled by the crackling of the fire. Ravena was unreadable, her expression giving nothing away, but Elias knew the weight of his words settled upon her.

  "And how did you rule?" She asked, tilting her head slightly. "With cruelty? Or perhaps mercy?"

  "Both," he admitted. "Power requires balance, too much kindness and people grow weak. Too cruel and they'd rebel. A good ruler must be feared by their enemies, respected by their friends and loved by their people."

  She considered his words carefully before taking another sip of her wine, "And did they love you? Your people?"

  Elias chuckled, "I was only in power for around four months before coming here, so I can only say that they prospered under my rule. That was enough for me."

  Ravena set her goblet down, her fingers tracing the rim thoughtfully. "You make no mention of a queen by your side, were you married?"

  Elias let out a low, amused breath. "Several times, I had a few wives and several concubines. Most were for alliances, some were simply rewards I gained during the war. It was expected of an emperor to have many women by his side, I didn't mind it."

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  Her brow lifted slightly, "And yet, you speak of them as if they were obligations and not loves."

  He met her gaze evenly, "Because they were, I was obligated to bring forth an heir, and did so a few years before I even won the war. Admittedly though I didn't love the women I laid with, I cherished our children, it was them I won the war for. Even with me gone, I'm sure they'll carry my legacy forward in that world."

  Something flickered across Ravena's expression, curiosity? Intrigue?? Perhaps both. "So in all that time, during the war and after...you never felt anything for your women?"

  Elias tilted his head, studying her. "Affection, yes, lust for sure. Love though, that was only ever given to our children." Leaning forward slightly, he rested his arms on the table. "I started out as a slave in my world, I never really knew or experienced what love was. Once I became a soldier, I learned about loyalty, then I became a leader and learned about sacrifice. By the time I became a father, I had an idea of what love was, then I saw my first child. All that innocence in their eyes, I knew right then what love was, because I would've done anything for that child."

  Ravena regarded him in silence, admiring the candor with which Elias spoke. "I'm...surprised," she finally admitted, her voice softer than before. "Not by the notion you would care for your offspring, but by the honesty with which you speak of love. Most men, long before my time, used to shroud their true feelings behind masks of bravado. Yet, here you sit, unguarded in your words."

  Elias exhaled a low chuckle, his fingers idly tracing the rim of his goblet. "Perhaps because I've worn enough masks for one lifetime. Or feasibly it's because, in this world, I have nothing to lose by being honest with you."

  Ravena leaned back slightly, analyzing his response. "And despite all you claim to have learned, you hold no desire for love beyond what you felt for your children?"

  To that, Elias raised a brow. "In my younger days, I might've agreed with that. Although the life I've lived thus far leads me to be open-minded about things I don't understand, like love...or magic portals." He said, both of them sharing a laugh at the jest.

  "Wait," Queen Ravena said in realization, "Why are you speaking as if you're an elder, you don't look any older than me."

  Elias let his smirk widen, "And pray tell, how young is Her Majesty?"

  With a gleam in her eyes, Ravena proudly said, "I'll be 25 years young in a month."

  Elias leaned back in his chair, his expression somewhere between amused and contemplative. "Then I suppose this may come as a shock to you," he mused, swirling his goblet before taking a slow sip. "I'm 31 years young, Ravena. Granted I feel like I've lived a life twice as long, war has aged me more than any candle-marked year could."

  Ravena hummed thoughtfully, "31," she repeated. Elias allowed himself a small smile while their gazes held for a long moment, the flickering candlelight casting golden hues across her skin. Ravena finally broke the silence with a quiet laugh, "You're enjoying our conversation aren't you?"

  Elias grinned, "What can I say, interesting people keep my attention in conversation," he lifted his goblet slightly in a toast. "And you, Queen Ravena, are an immensely fascinating person." She clinked her goblet against his, the tension between them shifting, yet still measured. Although there was something else in the air, no longer a lingering curiosity, neither of them would acknowledge this aloud though.

  "Then let us drink," she said, amusement dancing in her tone. "To fellow rulers, who understand their people."

  Elias took a sip, watching her over the rim of his cup, "To fellow rulers, who understand each other." The fire crackled, the wine flowed as the night stretched on into a blur.