by Erin R Flynn
“He’s not?” his father challenged, no longer looking surprised or upset but simply curious.
“No, he…” I took a moment to compile my thoughts into something intelligent this time. “Lots of the ‘kids’ at Artemis with important parents take that importance on themselves and wield it as if it was theirs. It’s not. And it might never be theirs one day so they use it now while they can or before their siblings take over. Juan will take over one day and is smart, understanding it’s not his yet.
“So he doesn’t take it. He doesn’t take that burden on him yet. It’s a huge burden and it could crush someone our age and he’s smarter than the rest of us in a lot of ways seeing it’s not his yet so why would he try and carry it? I’m not a leader and I’ve inherited power and money and all I’ve done is take other burdens to deserve what I’ve been given.
“What I’m saying is I mean this as an absolute compliment to you as his parent that you’ve taught your son balance in the best way. Because when there’s a problem, Juan steps up. The plagues last semester? He was there and ready, but what he didn’t do was ram in and demand to take over because he was going to be a boss one day.
“He had the confidence to know when and where to jump in and get control of the situation when it needed it, not try and control everything going on including the people. That’s the difference between someone people will follow and a good leader and someone who just wants the power. And I think as his parents it’s amazing you let your kid have the chance to fly free and find himself.
“He’s so much stronger than most of the other kids at that school because of it. When it’s time, he knows himself and how he’ll have to stretch to navigate what he has to and not lose himself to the weight of the burden. I feel like I’m crumbling under mine, but you gave him the chance to grow while holding that huge burden up and supporting it so he saw what was coming without crushing his growth.”
Everyone just stared at me in stunned awe for several breaths, Juan recovering first, clearing his throat awkwardly. “Wow, Tamsin, I think you’re awesome too.”
I let out just as awkward of a chuckle as I rubbed my neck. “Yeah, I’m still not sleeping with you, you slut.” I smiled when he burst out laughing, which had been my goal. I shrugged when he gave me a look like he wanted to strangle me. “I hear way more than I want to and you’re a slut. Well, you’re a stud as a guy, but if it was me, I’d be a slut so… You a slut.”
He gave a half shrug, not even denying it. “I don’t want to regret when the times are tough or life is all—”
“I know,” I cut in, tapping my temple, reminding him I heard a lot. “I think it’s cool. You appreciate the time you have before you wear the crown like no other and that’s awesome. Others want the power and the prize or to fucking cut out their own family to get it but you just want to do it right and know you gave yourself the life you deserved before serving your people as they deserved.”
“I did not know you felt that way,” Mr. Gui said to Juan.
“You’ve been busy, Father,” Juan chuckled, his eyes taking on a bit of a haunted look.
Right, so his family had a lot of problems with people trying to overthrow them as well. Yikes.
I glanced over my shoulder at the Vogels. “That’s not to say Hudson is in any way in that category I was putting other Artemis students from important families. I’m not. And Juan is far from perfect so, yeah, not a slight against Hudson but only a compliment for Juan.”
Mr. Vogel nodded but Mrs. Vogel was the troublemaker. “Who would you prefer at your back in trouble?”
“Hudson,” I immediately answered, wincing when several people did. Then I shrugged. “He would immediately protect me. Juan would weigh his family first and the situation versus my one life. Hudson would save me and fight the fight in front of us and clean up the mess later knowing we could handle it. Juan would sacrifice one life to save many and I’m not saying that’s wrong.”
“But as the one life, you’d prefer Hudson’s loyalty knowing he’d move heaven and earth later to keep everyone alive,” she finished for me, nodding when I did. “Yes, he could never walk away from a problem or anyone in need. You’re very alike in that way, which is why we talked the other remaining royal families into this meeting. Let us move things along so you understand why we’re here.”
I gave a slow nod and got it was time to be introduced and not ignore other royals. I glanced over to one of the interns from Geiger’s office I recognized who was probably there to take notes or whatever. “Could you please make a trip to campus and see if Mr. Moore is available for this meeting?”
“I’m not sure I understand, Ms. Vale,” the guy admitted, glancing at Geiger with worry.
“Several people here are very interested in introducing me to a list of men they want me to get friendly with, and specifically didn’t invite Darby to this for that reason,” I explained for everyone to hear. “Which means I absolutely want my boyfriend here for whatever is going on as minds are racing with calendars and events and dates. So please see if he can join me before someone tries to mate me off?”
“Yes, Ms. Vale,” he agreed while several people chuckled or coughed quietly.
Yeah, well, I thought it was a nicer option than freaking out and heading for the portal. Plus, I’d just had a conversation with Darby about how I treated him as a partner and he valued that. So I could use the backup and I liked we were a team.
Win-win, right?
Fuck I hoped so.
I met Mr. and Mrs. Diaz, who were king and queen of the South American dragons before Mr. and Mrs. Courtenay, royals of the European dragons. Oh, and we were in London at a secure, neutral location that had been used many times for peaceful talks by the royals when needed.
They never used one palace or castle over another when matters affected them all even as they rotated which territory for security reasons. Well, that was pretty cool for sure, but my nerves were still fried out. Their thoughts were all over the place and so chaotic and so many that I couldn’t keep up and I thought my head would pop soon.
Relief filled me when Darby arrived as we were led into another room with a massive table in an elegant private dining hall. He blinked at me and then all around before coming over and leaning in with his hand on my lower back.
“Your meeting is with all the remaining dragon royals?”
“I didn’t know either,” I grumbled.
“Only you, Tamsin,” he sighed, kissing my cheek before pulling out my chair for me. He waited until I sat and the other women as well before taking his seat.
King Fergus Courtenay started, and I didn’t get a word of what was going on with his thick French accent and all of everything else. It was clear after a few moments that was the case and probably more as they could sense a lot as dragons.
“I’m sorry, but please, just spit it out,” I whispered as I rubbed my temple. “You’re all so upset, and your minds are racing and with so much I’m not catching—my head is just…” I glanced over to Mrs. Vogel, practically begging her with my eyes before looking back at Mr. Courtenay. “Your prose is lovely and if I ever want to learn to write an elegant speech, I’m calling you first, but I just need…”
Yeah, I didn’t know how to finish that.
“You’ve never been in that seat before, have you?” Tanesha said gently, her tone worried even as her eyes danced with amusement.
“No, I’m always in your seat,” I admitted, knowing full well what she meant. “I’m never the focus, listening in to get the information. I can’t—doing both is—not with…” I let out a slow breath when Darby moved his hand to my thigh under the table.
“Then turn it off, agra,” he whispered.
“I can’t. They’re all so upset and—something is really up. I mean, can you blame me for being nervous too? I really don’t want to get eaten if I don’t do what they want.” I gestured to all the security and huge ass people we were sitting at the table with.
“Tamsin,
really, you’ve been around dragons—your best friend is a dragon,” Geiger admonished, looking truly shocked at me for maybe the first time. Which I found odd given how much came out of my mouth all the time.
And that shocked me. I glanced over at White and Edelman for backup, but they looked like I’d just said something racially offensive. “Well, if Campbell was here, she’d back me up. I mean, it’s not exactly unfounded so, you know, there’s that.”
White gave an elegant snort. “Oh dear, I know where her head is. Professor Campbell teaches our introduction history class and Ms. Vale had a section last semester on dragons.”
“Yeah, and a whole chapter about royals eating supes who didn’t do what they wanted,” I defended as I rubbed my forehead.
“Oh, well, when she puts it like that, I don’t exactly blame her,” Mr. Gui said with a chuckle. “Yes, several of us have had rather dramatic ancestors who did such things long ago. It was outlawed by the elders many moons ago, Ms. Vale. I think the last dragon royal to consume even an adversary was four centuries ago.”
I blew a raspberry and closed my eyes, shaking my head as people chuckled at the situation.
“For the record, I’m touched you were genuinely concerned you might get eaten and asked me to join you for the meeting, agra,” Darby drawled, several people joining in the amusement at his antics.
I covered my face and laughed as I leaned into him. “I didn’t think of that. Sorry, sorry. I was just… So many of their thoughts are about hoping they can get me to mate a cousin and be in their family that I thought I should run for the portal or just hide behind my boyfriend. Right, I didn’t want you eaten either. Sorry.”
“You are never boring,” he sighed, kissing my hair. “Please turn off your telepathy and use a healing rune.”
“Not yet,” I sighed. “Something big is going on.”
“Forgive me, but how is there such a disconnect that you have no idea what this meeting is about or you were invited to be here?” Mrs. Diaz inquired.
Yeah, I really wanted to know the answer to that as well and I agreed it was time we all did.
Sorry, Mel.
20
Mel squirmed a bit when I wasn’t the only one who looked at her. She cleared her throat awkwardly from her seat next to me and folded her hands on the table. “When Father called to inform me, we also—another topic came up before we finished and unfortunately we didn’t—”
I groaned. “Great, oil and water got together and—no, that’s not enough for you two.” I growled and pointed at Mr. Rothchild. “Vinegar over there probably ordered us to show up or did something to spill all over baking soda here,” I jerked my thumb at Mel, “and boom. Seriously, you two can’t not poke each other.” I shot them each a look like I dared them to try and deny it.
“That’s not untrue,” Mel accepted. “Unflattering, but not untrue.”
I sighed. “Mrs. Rothchild, in the future if there’s an adult matter I’m needed on or with regards to me, I would ask you contact Claudia until we get them to at least oil and water status, please?”
“Not you?” she asked, looking as miffed and amused as I felt.
I snorted. “I’m not adult enough to handle all of this. I know my limits. My answer would have been a resounding hell no.” I held up my hand when people gasped and looked appalled. “Not that I wouldn’t help, but hell no to a meeting like this. This is intimidating as hell and I’m the center of attention—which I hate—out of my element and honestly, Juan’s promise of food isn’t even helping me not book it.”
“Understood,” she said, nodding with promise she would handle it.
“The glamours on our mountains are weakening and will soon fail,” Mrs. Vogel said bluntly, probably taking my threat I wanted to run seriously.
I blinked at her, not even able to hide my shock. “Oh… Well… Shit.”
“Well said,” Mrs. Courtenay chuckled. “And yes.”
I glanced around the room but then focused back on the Vogels, hearing the thoughts of worry and danger. I crossed my legs and bounced my foot as I crossed my arms over my chest and bobbed my head. “Okay, yeah, sure, whatever you need. I’ll help. I get it. I know I joked I wouldn’t give a kidney for this meeting, I prefer you use my liver. I have a lot of hair you can have. I mean, whatever. I’ll help you.”
“Just like that?” Mr. Courtenay whispered, not hiding his shock at all.
“With all due respect, I’ll help them just like that, yeah,” I said, nodding towards the Vogels before thumbing at Mel. “She’s my best friend and like a sister to me. Her family will be the ones in danger first protecting the Vogels so yeah, of course, whatever they need. I don’t get what, but sure. Like what though?”
“Tamsin, shut off your telepathy,” Darby worried, trying to take my hand in his.
I shook my head, my head ridiculously throbbing. “Can’t, everyone’s really upset and something’s really wrong. I don’t get what they need and everyone’s so loud. It’s scary. Do they need fingers? I’d give a couple to save Mel’s family or toes. I mean, Colton’s my buddy now too.”
“Tamsin, Tamsin, please,” Tanesha cut in as I started up again. I blinked and she was standing in my view, her eyes wide. “Your telepathy is spiraling. You have not the training nor experience to be around so many powerful and upset minds, child. You will help my sister and her family, yes?” She waited until I nodded. “Good, good, then I will sit on your side. You trust me and my honor?”
“Always.”
“Then shut it off and I will listen for you, I swear it. I will shield you in this as you will shield my family. Trust me now, child.”
I let out a trembling breath and shut it off, shaking as I did almost to the point I was twitching. Professor White leaned over me and wrote a healing rune on my forehead and it pulsed with strong magic. Damn, I knew I was right about her and she was hiding a lot.
“That…” I licked my dry lips and then tried to swallow. I accepted the water Darby offered me and chugged it down ungraciously. “What was that?”
“Exactly what I said,” Tanesha said gently. “Too many powerful and old minds upset and worried and focused on you. You’ve been at huge parties with powerful elites where they spare you a thought or one jealous idea, not this swirling around you. You have to shut it down. Leave if you must if you do not feel safe.” She shook her head when I went to argue. “You risk your shields collapsing otherwise.”
“Oh shit,” I whispered in horror.
“Exactly.” She gave me a soft smile. “We will speak more later. You are at a point where you require guidance of another telepath soon, not simply one helping out your training. Our gift is powerful but a double-edged sword as you well know.”
“Thanks,” I sighed, feeling better already. I thanked Professor White as well and accepted Darby’s water as everyone took their seats again. Then it hit me. Now that the pain and crazy cleared slightly, I understood the main problem, locking gazes with Mrs. Vogel and not hiding my fear. “The threat isn’t over. The usurpers aren’t all gone; they’re waiting until they think you’re most vulnerable.”
“Yes, we believe so,” Mr. Vogel confirmed.
“And that’s why the other two ruling dragon couples aren’t here,” I surmised.
“Correct again,” Mrs. Vogel praised. “Would you trust them?” Her eyes flashed shock when I didn’t answer.
I shrugged. “I wouldn’t trust any who tried to overthrow you, but I know you’re good rulers. I don’t want to speak ill of the dead, but I’m ignorant to the situation. I could see why you wouldn’t trust them, but I need more information before I could make a decision either way.”
“Thank you for being so honest,” Mr. Gui said before anyone else could chastise me.
I nodded. “I prefer people are the same with me so please, just spit it out. I really don’t get how I can help you.” I frowned at the Vogels. “I don’t know glamours. Didn’t you say it was all fairy magic? I don’t know anything about
their glamours or barriers.”
“That’s not completely true,” one of the guards warned from their position standing behind their party.
Yeah, there was a whole shit ton of them standing behind their royals and all around the room. It really grated my nerves and I could only imagine how it made Zack and Ray feel.
“What you say in this room stays in this room no matter your decision, we’ve all sworn to that as a royal vow,” Mr. Vogel promised us.
I nodded. “One of the residences I inherited from my distant cousin who is deceased has a fairy barrier… Thing, as she was mated to a fairy who returned to Faerie for the war. Or so I’m told, so I’m not exactly in the know. So, I’ve seen—well not seen as you can’t see the barrier so much—it’s complicated. I mean, I’m not remotely who I would ask to help on this.”
“I would so think her a fairy though,” Mrs. Diaz murmured, and it took everything I had not to react besides giving her a curious look. “From everything you have told us about her, hearing much of her, I had hope she was.”
“Yes, I understand as I thought the same except for a few issues,” Mrs. Vogel sighed, giving her a sad smile before me a mischievous one. “While I do find the rumors about her amusing, especially the dragon/witch hybrid one she started—”
“I hardly started that by asking some well-timed but truly genuine questions,” I purred, shrugging when she chuckled. “Let the idiots have fun running their mouths. I found it less amusing to learn people immediately decided I should be experimented on or wanted my blood. It was very telling about the society I knew nothing about and was dropped into.”
“Yes, well played on that,” she praised. “However, I do believe there is validity to the rumor you have a fairy grandparent, rumblings one on either side of your family tree even.”