by N R Tucker
“The ruling of the Queen’s Court took everyone by surprise, but relations with the human governments have improved.” Sage stood and paced, something she only felt comfortable doing with her three closest advisors. “For now. The humans are still researching how the queens did what they did.”
“I wish them luck. No one knows what the real powers of the five queens are.” Kyan grinned and added, “Perhaps the dragon matriarchs know.”
Sage returned to her seat and opened her tablet, “What about Lady Z? Any sightings lately?”
“No,” Kyan leaned back in his chair and sighed. A powerful fae, one who could kick his butt, was nowhere to be found.
“I think she’s still here.” Tempe shrugged her shoulders. “No clue where, perhaps hanging out with the elementals, but she’s still in this dimension.”
Sage cleared her throat. “You sound sure of yourself.”
Tempe ignored the group, and stared at the wall, carefully wording her response. “Elementals stay away from me if she’s nearby. It’s rather enjoyable.”
“And you’re just now mentioning this?” Sage raised an incredulous eyebrow.
“She normally doesn’t stay around long enough for it to be a benefit, so I don’t count on it.”
Sage nodded her understanding and moved on to other business.
*****
After the meeting, Ryan and Kyan grabbed food in the cafeteria and sat in one of the soundproof cafe rooms with no windows. The meeting rooms had only just been completed, providing security for discussions while eating.
Kyan finished chewing a bite of excellently prepared roast and said, “You asked for this meeting. What’s up?”
“Something has always bothered me about the spelled jewelry worn by the Alpha Clan.”
“Besides the gaudiness and girlishness of the stuff?” Kyan grinned.
“Yeah,” Ryan nodded. “You reset the stones every so often, but you aren’t a spell caster. Who applies the spells?”
Kyan laid his fork down and placed his elbows on the table, staring Ryan in the eyes. “What do you think?”
“I think a powerful dragon is involved.”
“You’re right. Tulvir, green dragon supreme matriarch, was a friend of shifters long before Rayna married Lord Ellwood. I started working with her around the time Rayna and Ellwood married.”
“How…”
Kyan raised a hand for silence. “That’s a story for another day. What you need to know now is that Tulvir, and her son, Kulvir, help us to maintain peace between the dimensions.”
“You knew? You knew Kulvir was alive and didn’t tell Tempe?” Ryan asked in disbelief.
“She didn’t ask. You don’t know what Tempest was like after Val died. She blamed everyone. She despised everyone. She was Tempest, not the Tempe you know today. Even the fae bards quit singing songs about her in public. Everyone feared her. I met with Tulvir frequently. She knew but never asked about Kulvir, so I didn’t mention him.” Kyan leaned back in his chair, “I know you’ve been training with Kulvir. Val and Kulvir were amazing together. Kulvir is older and more powerful now, and you’re at least as strong as Val. The two of you may be unstoppable. The fae will be wary.”
“Then how did Lord Ellwood kill Val?”
“Dragons do not intrude on personal vendettas. That fight, between father and son, was extremely personal. Most songs the bards sing now are about Val and Tempe. The songs of Val and Kulvir have not been sung much since his death, but I understand that now, with you wielding the Patron’s Sword and training with Kulvir, those songs are being sung again. Perhaps if you ask Liron, he’ll sing some for you.” Kyan stood to leave. Bowing to his great-nephew, he said, “Ryan, third in the Alpha Clan, the sovereign’s enforcer, wielder of the Patron’s Sword, cohort of Kulvir, I bid thee adieu. As the dragons say,
Enter in peace.
Congregate in peace.
Leave in peace.
Or make the blood price so high,
Your enemies will desire peace.”
From the Author
Thank you for taking this journey through one of the worlds of my mind. If you enjoyed the book, consider posting a review and telling a friend.
If you would like to get notifications of new releases and special offers on my books, please join my mailing list by going to https://nrtucker.com/contact-form/ and providing your email. Type NRTUCKER BOOKS in the comment section.
Books by N. R. Tucker
Farseen Chronicles
Deceived
Enthralled
Betrayed
Revealed
Destined
Finding Earth
Drifters Rising
The Maiden Voyage of the Okar Lane
More information about the worlds of N. R. Tucker’s mind – including flash fiction, character lists, glossaries, and maps – can be found at
NRTucker.com