“That is still a payment. At the very least, it's an incentive.” I shook my head. “Why are you arguing with me about this? It's more honorable to pay a man than to make him a slave.”
“Once again, our cultures differ. My people don't see slavery as you do. We treat our slaves differently and only take those willing to submit. They are a tribute given to my court in acknowledgment of all we do for our kingdom. As such, it is a great honor to own slaves. The more slaves a Sea Dragon court has, the more they are loved by their people.” He cocked his head at me. “People on land must treat their slaves terribly for you to say that owning one is dishonorable. Are they? Is that why you were so horrified to find slaves in my palace?”
“The Dragon Kings have outlawed slavery in their kingdoms, but there are those who disobey that law. Many nomadic human tribes capture and enslave their enemies. They treat their slaves horribly, as possessions, not people. They have no rights and cannot refuse their masters anything. King Sarichas sent me to free slaves before, and I’ve seen how they live. People chained like dogs, starving, dirty, beaten. Those who have been slaves for years lose all sense of self. They become what they're treated as—animals. So, yes, the atrocities I've seen have given me a different perspective on slavery, and because of them, I may have misjudged your court.”
“There is no 'may have' about it, Nadar. You came to my court spouting talk of diplomacy. You said you wouldn't judge, but that's all you've done. I allowed it because you intrigued me, and that fascination has grown into fondness. But I don't like this side of you, and I won't stand for it any longer.”
“I'm sorry. You're absolutely right. I won't share my opinions on slavery with you anymore.”
“You misunderstand me yet again. I want to know what you think, Nadar. I enjoy our discussions. But before you form those opinions about my people and me, I'd like you to speak to me. If you feel the same afterward, then that is fair. But do not judge us without learning why we live as we do. Agreed?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I will talk to you before forming my opinions.”
Jucai inclined his head. “Thank you. And I'm sorry that you have seen such terrible things, Nadar. Trust me when I say that I have seen far worse, and I understand what it can do to you.”
I knew what he'd seen—monsters eating his people. And I knew what he'd done—hunted and killed those monsters. Considering what he'd been through, I felt childish for using my experiences with other races to justify the way I judged him.
“Nadar.”
I looked up.
“Just because I have seen worse, it doesn't diminish your experiences. I only said that so you'd know that I understand how encountering monsters can make you see them in every shadow.” He took my hand. “But I am not a monster.”
“I know you're not, Jucai. You're the man who kills monsters.”
Jucai smiled, a hint of something tender in his eyes. “Thank you. Now, I would like to see the garden you told me about. The one with the fountain.”
Grinning, I leaned out the window. “Change of plans. Take us to Sahir Square.”
“Yes, sir!” the driver called back, and the jingle of reins announced our turn before we took it.
Chapter Twenty-One
Sahir Square was more than a park and more than a plaza. It was a cultivated oasis in the middle of a bustling city, wrapped in marble and sunlight.
Jucai and I strode up a stone path through a meadow bordered by low sage hedges, their silvery leaves perfuming the air with every breeze. Mock orange bushes formed taller borders behind the sage, their small pale flowers adding the scent of orange blossoms to the herbal smell of sage. Date trees lined the path, their fronds casting shifting shadows on our boots.
Jucai's gaze went everywhere, darting from tree to flower before latching onto the focal point of the garden—the fountain. We entered a tiled courtyard beneath a red stone arch. The arches continued around the square, their columns wrapped in climbing jasmine and trumpet vine.
Thousands of hand-cut tiles formed an intricate mosaic around the fountain, polished by centuries of footsteps so that they glowed like still water beneath the sun. Turquoise, lapis, ivory, and gold formed a design of a dragon with a tail wreathed in flames, but it could only be seen in its entirety from above. Massive perching platforms ringed the courtyard, just beyond the arches, one of them occupied by a sleeping dragon with blue scales shimmering in the sun. Jucai glanced up at the beastand then down at the green dragon statue rearing up from the fountain's marble basin.
“The platforms were only added recently.” I motioned at a spiral staircase that led to an open perch. “Now that our magic is in balance, more Dragons have been moving to Erimbar. A dragon flying overhead has become a common sight.”
“You say that as if it were uncommon before.” Jucai trailed his hand through the fountain's water, coming up with a delicate petal.
“It was. There were only a few Dragons in Erimbar before the Awakening, and we were busy doing the King's bidding. There wasn't a lot of time for pleasure flights.” I motioned to the petal he held. “The children throw petals into the water and make wishes. They believe the dragon carries them to the Gods.”
Jucai tossed the petal back into the basin. “Well, I don't want to steal a child's wish.” He looked over the enameled dragon. “Why green?”
“In honor of King Saric. His dragon is green.”
“This exact shade?”
“Yes.”
“It's lovely. What color is your dragon?”
I tapped the corner of my eye. “Blue, but it's not as pretty as your sea dragon.”
