“Her kind have almost always chosen humans from humble backgrounds. I've always believed it was the gods' attempt to keep the empire's power from becoming too concentrated.”
“Yet there are countless kings and queens who have wielded concentrated power throughout Kaldra’s history.”
He shrugs. “If humans can find a way to elevate themselves in society, they'll generally take it. So it should come as no surprise that the dragons’ chosen ones typically ended up leveraging their gifted status into relationships with more elite families. And even though the divinely-bonded continued to be picked from lesser circumstances, it eventually became common practice for powerful figures to purposefully seek them out and force them into marriage and service to their chosen crown.”
“…And history repeats itself, even now.”
“Much to the gods' chagrin, I imagine.”
I lift my eyes toward the open roof, to the Mouren banners fluttering from the upper balconies. “So that's how Mouren was able to rise to power, then. Because the balance of magic faltered, and the gods stopped gifting the empire with divine dragons for however long it was.”
“That, and because Mouren bonded with the lesser dragons who had started to breed and multiply throughout the empire. Though they weren’t fully divine beasts, they still had power and magic that this kingdom was able to use to build up an army capable of mass destruction…”
He looks like he has more he wants to say on this particular subject, but at that moment, we're joined by three finely dressed individuals filing into the arena—the king's close advisors. I recognize them from the meeting he held on the first morning I arrived at the palace.
“Looks like we have a more distinguished audience today,” I mutter, frowning.
Gareth is unsympathetic. “You confronted the king and ran your mouth at him without restraint. Did you not think there would be ramifications?” He gestures toward the advisors as they settle themselves in a lower viewing box. “I hope you're prepared to prove yourself to them. Because I'm sure they'll be taking detailed notes for His Majesty.”
I lift my chin, ignoring the spectators, trying not to let my nerves show. “What am I expected toprovetoday?”
He considers for a moment. “You have magic on your mind. So perhaps a trial regarding that.”
“…I thought you said I was getting ahead of myself, worrying about Blight's magic?”
“I did say that. Because hertruemagic is buried much deeper than you could possibly reach right now. But, early on, most divines show weaker magic of all differentshades. If nothing else, she's certainly capable of the sort of powers you've seen lesser dragons exhibit: fire-breathing, enhanced strength, minor influence over the elements. That sort of thing. I wonder if you can coax any of it out of her?”
I glance at Blight, and I swear she looks like she might laugh in response.
As if to say,I dare you to try.
I get the impression she doesn't think we're even when it comes to the insults we've exchanged—and that she's going to make me pay for it now, as part of our wonderfulbondingexperience.
“It seems like she's not feeling very cooperative today,” I warn Gareth.
“How unfortunate for you,” he says, again sounding entirely unsympathetic.
As he begins to set up targets and obstacles across the arena floor, I swallow my pride and step closer to Blight. I have no doubt that she heard—and understood—the entire conversation Gareth and I just shared, so my request is simple, to the point: “Please?”
She stares at me for a long moment.
Then she yawns, turns in a circle, curls up on her platform, and closes her eyes.
Gareth lets out a gruff laugh. “Impressive as always.”
I can hear the king's advisors whispering, their quills already scratching notes.
“Shall I add some desperation to the equation?” Gareth offers, lifting his practice sword.
Blight opens one eye and angles her head toward us.
I think of her warning from just a few minutes ago, her feelings of wariness and panic—not to mention the fear shefelt for me the other night, when those rebels were circling the palace.
She can pretend she isn't interested in helping me, but I know better.
So we’ll just see how this goes.
I pick up the training sword Gareth tosses at my feet and settle into a fighting stance.
