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Harington nodded even though he knew Eric couldn’t see him. He thought back to the unfortunate day when he had tried to convince the other councilors his research could be what they all needed. “Councilor Calder Grimmr was probably the only one who hesitated when everyone voted against my research,” he said, lost in thought.
“I see. Grimmr is one of the best Alphas I know, and a dear friend of mine. He’s also the only dragon I know who has never hibernated.”
“I… I did not know that detail about him,” murmured Harington. He had always liked the representative of the dragon faction, and now he liked him even more.
“So, Mr. Harington, what Lily told me about you… is it true? Have you really created a cure for the werewolf venom?”
“Yes, it’s true. The woman who took it is perfectly healthy, and so are her children.”
“What about the other types of venom?”
The Councilor sighed deeply. “We’re currently working on fox venom, but we have a long way to go.”
Eric rolled his eyes. “While I think that’s useful, and wish you the best of luck, I’m more interested in your progress with dragon venom. But you already know that.”
“Yes, of course.” There was a hint of a smile in the man’s voice. “The dragons are the most ancient species of shifters we know,” he explained. “Your DNA is very different from human DNA, and since the Council shut down my project, my scientists haven’t had a good chance to study your venom properly. The truth is, Mr. Drekinn, that we simply don’t have the resources.”
“My clan can provide as many samples as you need, I will also make some substantial donations…”
“No, Mr. Drekinn, it’s not only about that. As long as my hands are tied by the Council’s decision, I can’t do much for you. Yes, Harington Pharmaceuticals needs money, and your offer is very generous, but we also need people. Right now, my scientists are good, but they’re not the best. They are all people I trust, and I know they would never betray me, but in order for me to find the best out there, in order for me to convince some of the shifter scientists to join me, I need more than money. I need the Council’s approval. The fact that we found a cure to the wolf-shifter venom in these circumstances was a miracle. Now, we’re only playing with fox venom. We are far from making a breakthrough. And what you’re asking… a cure for the dragon venom… it’s way beyond my possibilities.”
Eric took a deep breath. He didn’t like where this was going.
“What do you suggest, Mr. Harington?”
The Councilor was silent for a long moment, but when his answer came, it was final: “I think it is time, Mr. Drekinn. It’s time for us, the ones who believe in this project, to make a stand and convince the Council this is the future. Avelyn Blackmane is the first hybrid Harington Pharmaceuticals has created. It’s been three years, and she is doing great. And did you know that there’s a born hybrid living in Alaska? Amelia Sylfur. Her mother was a fox-shifter, and her father was human. Rare… an extremely rare case…”
Eric was speechless. No, Viggo hadn’t told him anything about this Amelia Sylfur. The only born hybrid in the world, and his Annarr had failed to mention her? Odd.
“This is the perfect time, Mr. Drekinn. The stars are aligned, you see? Amelia Sylfur is the clear proof that hybrids are not against nature, that there is a way for our species to meet half way. And did you know that Amelia has taken the lead of Clan Sylfur when their Alpha became the Fox Councilor in the Council of the Six Factions? Blake Sylfur. Now, I can promise you she will be on our side if we bring the project back into discussion.”
“She?” Eric was confused for a second.
“Yes. Blake Sylfur is a woman. The first woman councilor, isn’t that amazing? Changes. Good changes are taking place. Great changes. And, if you talk to Calder Grimmr, I’m sure we’ll have his vote too. That’s two councilors who would support our cause. Then, there’s Max Blackmane, whose bride is a hybrid. If he and his brother, Karl, really try, they will convince Councilor Voinom to give us a chance. That’s three positive votes.”
“Then, we’re left with the Eagle Councilor and the Bear Councilor.”
“Yes. Christian Kwahu, our eagle representative, is a young, open-minded man. The real problem is going to be Zachary Willamar, our Bear Councilor. But, you do see the odds are on our side…”
“They are, indeed.” Even as he agreed with Harington, Eric wasn’t sure what he was proposing was a good idea. It was risky. Way too risky. Then again, all he wanted was to be with Lily for the rest of his life. How old was she? 21? If all went well, they could have 70 more years together, but he knew from experience that a dragon’s relationship with a human female could never last that long. The moment she started aging visibly, things always went downhill.
“Think about it, Mr. Drekinn.” The old man knew there was no need to push Eric to make a decision. On the contrary, it was better to throw his ideas out there and let his daughter do the rest. Her beauty, her personality, her very presence… Harington knew he had won. He just needed Eric to come to the same conclusion. “Take your time, then call me again. I’ll be waiting.”
Eric murmured a faint approval, then the line went dead. He placed his smartphone on the table and looked at the small device for a long while. His mind was going in circles. “Born hybrid… woman councilor… Willamar… Hmm…” He poked the smartphone. “How can this tiny toy do so many things?” Viggo had showed him how to use it the night before. The smartphone, th
e laptop, the tablet… The Internet. Eric rubbed his eyes. “Fuck. Too much to learn, too many things to do…” The worst part was that he could barely comprehend the easiest of notions and, for an Alpha, that was… unbelievably humiliating. Eric ran his hands through his long, black hair, banged his fists on the desk, then left the smartphone where it was and stormed out of his office.
***
Delyse had already had breakfast when Eric came back to their room. She was too sore to go downstairs, so a maid had brought her a tray full of delicious fried eggs with bacon, a huge glass of apple juice, and a slice of cheesecake. She had eaten every last bit, then decided against getting out of bed. All the muscles in her body were burning pleasantly after yesterday’s flight to the glacier and back, and that spot between her legs was still tingling with the memory of Eric’s skilled fingers, tongue, and cock. Her clit throbbed every time she thought about him, and something in her stomach fluttered and twisted, then sent a wave of indescribable satisfaction to her heart. In an attempt to focus on something other than her hot husband, Delyse grabbed her book and made herself comfortable against the fluffy pillows. Yes, this was a perfect day to read, dream, and sleep.
Her peaceful morning didn’t last long, though. She set her book down when Eric entered the room and let the door close behind him with a rather loud bang.
“Good morning!” she chirped, a big smile plastered on her face. God, he was gorgeous! His blue jeans were riding low on his waist, and he was wearing a loose shirt which clung beautifully to his chiseled muscles. He was barefooted, and Delyse thought he probably needed more time to get used to the modern clothes and shoes. Especially shoes.
Eric stopped in his tracks, the sight of his beautiful bride in his bed taking his breath away. He didn’t say anything, he simply stared at her. She had looked amazing yesterday, inside the cave, but now she looked even better. She looked… real, he realized. She was real, and his heart ached like it hadn’t ached in centuries. “Dear God, this is going to hurt,” he thought. “This is going to hurt so, so bad.”
A flicker of confusion danced in Delyse’s eyes. She pulled the duvet off her legs and swung them over the edge of the bed, ready to run to him and ask him what was wrong. She winced when her feet hit the thick carpet. Her muscles were really sore. She was aching all over.
