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I nod my head enthusiastically, more sure than I’ve been about anything in a long time. I like having a task and this will be the perfect distraction. Exactly what I need. “I’m sure.”
“Then I’ll clear it with Malix tonight and we can start working on it in the morning,” Mina agrees and then takes my arm. “But it’s time to eat. You're withering away as we speak.”
I get my legs moving, following her to the dining hall. I feel a little bit lighter on my feet, finally having a tangible task I can complete here. Despite everything, I feel content.
Chapter 8
Malix
“Another Nephilim has escaped their prison and was spotted east of Kraken's Lagoon. The ocean people have been informed and plan to stay vigilant.” A heavy silence hangs in the air at the harrowing—though not entirely unexpected—news. This is the second case this week and more will come. It’s not a question of if but when.
“The wards to the north are our weakest points,” Aeron continues, pointing at the replica of our kingdom on the table. Another reason Aeron is an asset to me, despite his ability to toe the line between dutiful advisor and potential problem, is that besides me, he knows our borders, weak points, and land better than anyone else.
“And you believe the Nephilim can enter through these weakened wards?” I try to hide the annoyance in my tone, but it leaks out all the same. It wasn’t even a fortnight ago when I strengthened those very wards. It had been exhausting then and would be even more so now.
“Yes. Perhaps not all, but some. Especially the more powerful of the lot,” he says, marking the north side with a red flag to indicate a risk for potential danger.
We can’t keep their magic out, but I refuse to let the Nephilim in.
“If the wards start to crumble, we will need every abled dragon to fight for Dragon’s Keep.” The other few council members nod, knowing that the likely outcome will be one final fight for our kingdom. Normally, I would feel confident about our ability to defend our lands, but most of my people lie in a death-like sleep under the castle.
“What are our options?” A council member by the name of Otis asks.
Vivia’s eyes flick over to me, a silent question in her gaze. She’s letting me decide how much information I wish to divulge about Rose. They knew of my plan to marry her, but I haven’t given them any updates since then.
“If what Ender says is true, and we have no reason to doubt The Guardian, then my wife will be the answer we seek. She’s currently getting acquainted with the kingdom.” It’s a fact I have not been able to forget all day. My wife, the queen, is exploring her new home and I’m not with her.
Echoing my thoughts, Aeron picks up on my displeasure. “And you aren’t the one showing her.”
If I hadn’t been trained my entire life to play the role of king and school my features into something that vaguely resembles disinterest, I would have shown Aeron my teeth in anger. I don’t need to give him any leverage over me.
“I suggested my wife be the one that shows our queen around,” Vivia speaks up quickly. Everyone’s attention is off me now, exactly what she wanted. I make a mental note to thank her later. “We thought she would feel most comfortable with another woman. A friend she could feel safe around.”
“Shouldn’t a mate be able to supply the same comfort?” Otis asks, and I have never wanted to reach out and strangle anyone more than I do at this moment. I don’t know where this new violent streak has come from, but it burns inside of me, begging to be released at the mention of my wife.
Mate. Yours. Protect.
The same damn mantra plays on repeat and grows louder with each passing hour.
“She needs time. We will give her that,” I say, hoping my hard tone would be deterrent enough for them not to pry anymore.
Except it isn’t. Because of course fucking Aeron had to remind me of things I already know. “With all due respect, Your Highness, we have no time. You married her to save our kingdom, not to make her comfortable.”
Every fiber of my being wants to punch Aeron in his arrogant face. But another conflicting part of me realizes that he’s right. We have no time, and the situation is only going to get worse. My marriage is nothing more than a final act to save my kingdom, but I’m not yet ready to share the burden of the kingdom with her. She deserves a day or two to get adjusted first.
“We can spare a day, Aeron. The queen is getting settled.” I see he’s about to say something else and I cut him off before he can. “Enough. My decision is final. Soon, we will use her to our advantage.”
I hate saying the words, even as they come out of my mouth. They taste like vinegar on my tongue. I shouldn’t care about Rose. I have no reason to. She’s here because she made a deal and I needed a human to help me keep my kingdom safe and break the sleeping curse.
I would do well to remember that.
The topic of my wife drops, thankfully, as Vivia discusses our borders and gives us updates about the other five kingdoms. I’m not listening. Instead, I search through the fragile bond I have with my wife. There’s warmth there, so I know she’s enjoying her time. But there’s a deep sadness there too and not just from her decision to come here. No, this sadness is years in the making.
What is my little dragon hiding?
I vaguely hear Vivia ask if there is anything else we need to discuss. I think I shake my head no because the council begins to shuffle out of the dining hall, leaving me alone with Vivia. “Are you okay, My King?” she asks, reading me in a way very few people can.
“I’m fine.” It’s not a complete lie, but it’s not the truth either. I don’t know how to feel.
