“They went back to their communities.” Jucai grimaced. “It was not the best solution, but we couldn't leave the palace or city unguarded. One of the underwater gangs would have moved in and tormented the citizens. It was safer for them to leave.”
“Wait, what? Underwater gangs?”
“The sea is as dangerous as the land. The other races look to us for protection. That is why they serve us. Without us, they would be prey not only to criminals but also to sea monsters such as the frellen, who capture people to torture and eat.”
“You have sea monsters that eat people?”
“Yes, my soldiers patrol the kingdom to keep people safe. When we first woke, we had to clear out many frellen nests.”
“I see.” And I did. The tithes of slaves made more sense now. “Land Dragons do the same for the other races on land. Although we don't have monsters to kill. The people are the monsters.”
Jucai chuckled. “Yes, sometimes people are worse than animals. They can certainly be harder to kill.”
“I'm sorry to have misjudged you, Jucai.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Thank you, but I've already forgiven you.”
I grinned. “Please forgive my stench as well. I am still in need of a bath and fresh garments.”
“I'll show you to your room.” Jucai took my hand and led me out of his bedroom.
Chapter Four
Jucai escorted me down to his tower's entrance and around a corner. At the end of the corridor, he opened the coral-studded door of my guest suite.
. The entry room held a sitting area in the center and a dining set against the right wall. A door in the left wall hung open, giving me a glimpse of a desk. Then I peered through the doorway directly ahead of me.
Walking across thick rugs that rivaled those of Zaru in both beauty and quality, I saw, but didn't stop to appreciate the silk wallpaper featuring stylized sea dragons, the tables made from polished red coral, or the enameled black chairs with red silk pillows. The intricately carved coral cornices and crystal chandelier dripping with pearls couldn't hold my attention either. I moved past it all in a daze, entering a bedroom done in deep blue and black.
With the dark design, the bedroom didn't stand a chance of diverting me from my destination—a glass wall that curved inward. I crossed the room to it and peered at the fish that swam past me. The tank was too large for me to see across, but lights filtered through the water from all directions, illuminating fish, soaring coral, and stalks of kelp. As I gazed down to the bottom of the tank, Jucai joined me.
“Is it too much for you?” Jucai followed my gaze to the sandy bottom of the tank.
“No, it's amazing.” I glanced at him. “Are there other rooms circling this tank? Is this the same one that backs the throne room?”
“Tank?” He frowned, but then his expression lightened. “You think this is a fish tank?”
“We're in the center of the city. What else could it be?”
“Did you not notice the tower that rises beyond the dome?”
I gaped at him. “Are you telling me that instead of an inner courtyard, your palace has an inner sea?”
“An inner sea channel would be more accurate. The glass is enchanted to keep out the cold and be indestructible. A metal grid covers the top so only smaller fish may enter. It's become a sanctuary for them.”
“There must be many rooms like mine.” I peered again through the water, trying to see across to the other rooms, but the columns shape and size inhibited spying.
“Yes, my throne room is one of them.”
“Amazing.”
“Thank you, it was my design.”
I looked at him in surprise. “You built this palace?”
“I didn't build it with my own hands, but I designed it. I even helped design the circulation system that pumps heat through the city. We use underground rivers of molten rock toheat the streets, our water, and even the air when it gets too chilly. They provide our kitchens with heat to cook as well.”
“Underground rivers of molten rock? You're talking about geothermal heat.”
