And Sven.... He was very careful not to do anything more personal since that visit to Ray's territory. I pushed that thought aside, like I had been every day. It wasn't productive, but it was also difficult not to pick at. I shook it off with an effort, turning my attention to my surroundings.
Unsurprisingly, the private wing of the palace actually wasn't that different from the rest of it. Jewel-toned mosaic floors, high ceilings, columns. Though everything was on a smaller scale. A little more intimate. If something of this size could be called that.
Igna led me over to what looked like a sitting room, one of the smaller ones judging by the two rooms that had seemed to be for entertaining that we'd already passed. I'd noticed that preference in Sven. He seemed to gravitate to the smaller areas in the palace, the ones that I didn't think got a lot of use in the previous regime.
This room still had tall ceilings, but it was on the more manageable side, with plush chairs and sofas and colorful rugs to soften the flooring. One entire wall faced outside, towards the other side of the mountain the city and palace were built on. The vast desert spread out on the other side, the ridge of mountains to the right disappearing into the distance. There was a large balcony outside that glass wall, one obviously designed to allow phoenixes—or dragons for that matter—easy access to the sky beyond. One wall was lined with a large tapestry showing a colorful sunset, the detail in it breathtaking. The other two walls were left bare, one of them actually made up of archways that led to another room that appeared to be an office.
I took all of that in quickly however. It was difficult to dwell on the room when the people inside drew the eye like they did.
Even if I didn't know who Mia and Ashur were, they would have captured my attention. They weren't the type to blend in, and not just because of their looks.
Sven stood next to the two of them near the glass wall, his strong, lithe figure dressed in a fitted tunic and pants in off-white, battered boots on his feet. His bright blond hair was swept back from his face, revealing the elegant, masculine bones of it.
The fact that my eye went to him first despite the two—wait, three—others probably said more about me than about them.
Mia listened intently to whatever he was saying, her striking face all smooth, pale golden skin and even features dominated by dark, long-lashed eyes. Her dark hair fell around that face in a smooth wave, falling over strong shoulders, softening them. She was shorter than the other two, but her athletic build meant she didn't look weak, the arms exposed by her t-shirt-and-jeans outfit strong.
Ashur—Ashur was simply large. Maybe six-and-a-half feet tall, he towered. Probably over most people. Muscled and broad shouldered, his dark hair was sun streaked, his light-blue eyes standing out in that tanned, chiseled face. He wore a similar fitted t-shirt and jeans, an expensive watch strapped onto a thick wrist.
"Adara!"
I felt my face stretch from the polite smile I’d been wearing for the occasion to a huge grin as Omari rushed over to me from where he'd been standing with his nose pressed up against the glass. Probably because he'd been told that he couldn't go out there. Just because it was dangerous for children didn't mean they didn't have the same urge to be in the sky that we did as adults. It did sometimes create a dangerous combination though.
"Hi, Omari," I greeted him, hugging him back when he threw his arms around me. He'd always been affectionate, a trait he must have gotten from his mother. "Look how tall you've gotten!"
And he had, shooting up a couple of inches since I'd seen him last. He also looked healthy and happy, the hurt that had lurked behind his eyes when he lived here completely erased. It did my heart good to see that, to see him bounce back so well.
"Come meet Mia and Ashur!" he urged, taking my hand and dragging me over to his guardians.
Mia and Ashur weren't quite as exuberant in their greetings, though I could see Omari's reaction to me had disarmed them a bit.
"This is Adara, my right-hand woman," Sven explained as I came to a stop in front of them. I was thrown off by the introduction as well as the people. Was that really how Sven saw me?
"Nice to meet you," Mia murmured, shaking my hand.
"Likewise," I agreed, trying not to show how on guard I felt.
Ashur held out his large hand as well, shaking mine gently, like someone who knew his own strength and was careful with it.
"Omari really wanted to come visit because we didn't let him on Coronation Day," Mia explained.
"I would have been safe," Omari exclaimed, pouting a little. "I know how to fight."
He threw a pretty impressive punch into the air, his round little face intent.
"Wow," I agreed, suppressing a smile. "I'm impressed."
"Do you want to see more?" Omari turned to me, his face melting into another giant smile.
"Sure," I agreed. "I'd love to."
That was all the encouragement he needed, running away into the open space in the room to punch and kick to his heart's content, looking back occasionally to make sure we were all paying attention.
"He's always been a handful," I murmured with a smile as I watched.
Mia murmured her agreement.
"He's doing really well," she admitted, smiling at Omari. "I was worried for a moment there."
"He didn't have the best start in life," I admitted. "But he's a resilient little man."
"That is true," she agreed. "Sometimes I take my cues from him," she admitted on a slight laugh.
"Sven tells me you're in charge of speaking to the various flocks," Ashur chimed in, looking over at me with those piercing eyes. "That's a difficult job."
I thought my response through carefully.
"It is," I agreed. "But they know my intention is to help. It makes things...simpler."
His face was curious.
"How are you dealing with the aftermath of the war?" When he saw me hesitate, he elaborated, offering information himself. "We don't have the same set up as you," he continued. "But we're trying to be more of a whole, a unit, like you are. What advice would you have to do that?"
The dragons were decentralized, each skein being a completely autonomous unit headed by their own Dragon Lord. It was a completely different governing system, though not necessarily in a bad way. Both had their pluses and minuses, but I didn't expect a question like that. However, I could see he was asking sincerely, so I gave him a sincere answer.
"You have to establish a relationship beyond simply one of need," I responded. "They have to get used to seeing other dragon skeins, not just as people of the same race, but as friends, members of the same community."
It was an opinion I'd actually had for some time about the dragons. While we were technically a kingdom, in practical life, each flock was mostly autonomous in everyday matters. However, when something affected all of us, we were able to come together and make decisions, protect ourselves as a whole. And because we had a monarch, a capital with someone clearly in charge, it also meant we were able to hold events where all of the flocks gathered regularly. If we didn't interact with each other, we would be a kingdom in name only.
Even Emberich had been smart enough to see that and facilitate these gatherings.
"I was lucky to have Adara on my side," Sven admitted. I looked over at him in surprise at that admission. "She already had a reputation for being fair and honest. I couldn't think of a better Liaison between me and our people to ease my transition."
Well, that was... I felt the warmth of those words penetrate deep, his eyes saying even more as they locked with mine.
"Hmm." Mia looked between the two of us and I got the impression she saw more than I wanted her to. Seemed to be the theme of my life lately.
"How about resources?" I blurted out, breaking the eye contact and trying to change the subject. "Are you sharing when needed?"
"Yes. We don't have a formal system down yet, but..."
And we launched into a discussion about practical matters. One that helped me as w
ell, surprisingly. Since we came from two different backgrounds, our viewpoints weren't the same. And Mia's opinions were likewise different. They had ideas that I hadn't considered and vice versa.
Our conversation carried on easily, switching between subjects as we moved over to the seating area, the guards Igna had commandeered for the meeting staying at a respectful distance as we ate the food Sven had called for.
While we spoke, I watched Sven interact with them, curious at the tone of it. He wasn't kowtowing or attempting to win them over. Not that I could see anyway. He spoke and acted like he always did, friendly and respectful. At least, how he always did towards people he liked and who had earned his respect. I'd learned quickly that Sven didn't often bother disguising when he didn't like people. Something I could appreciate. It always let me know where he stood in matters.
But I didn't realize until that very moment that he actually liked both Mia and Ashur. This wasn't just for political expediency. He enjoyed their company.
And they seemed to like him back. Even Ashur, who was as dominant a leader as Sven, only in a different way. Much to my surprise, the afternoon and their visit flew by. I hadn't expected to like them as much as I did.
But it left me conflicted. Yes, dragons and phoenixes had finally broken the ice to work together against a common enemy. To get rid of Emberich.
But generations of ill will didn't go away that easily, whether or not all the Dragon Lords were as likable as Ashur Jah. Or had partners as smart and practical as Mia.
I wasn't so sure that the two races could simply be friends now, not in a general sense rather than this personal one. Not without major complications.
When the three of them left, Omari with a giant hug for me, I didn't know how to feel.
I left the palace feeling unsettled.
Chapter Thirteen
"Yeah, right."
"It's true. I've heard it from more than a few places that he speaks with the dragons on a regular basis."
"But still..."
"All I'm saying is that we need to keep an eye on our king. Didn't you think it odd that someone would just give up the throne...?”
I looked over as the conversation faded away, my stomach tight, to see the backs of two young men as they walked away. This wasn't good. Not at all. This made four flocks that I'd visited in the past week where I'd heard such rumors about Sven. That he was too close to the dragons. That his allegiance was suspect. That he rose to the throne only because he made promises at our expense.
I'd dismissed the first rumor, chalking it up to normal political talk. After all, people would always speak of whoever was in charge. It didn't often amount to anything, just talk. A way to blow off some steam or just to find common ground with one another.
But then I'd heard it again.
And again.
And again.
Now it was at a point that it was starting to really worry me. This was exactly how little things became big things.
They started with whispers. And when the whispers were allowed to be, they sometimes turned into something more solid. Something harder to combat. Something that could end in disaster.
Emberich didn't understand that dealing with such things with brute force didn't kill them, but rather pushed them into the darkness where he wouldn't be able to see them fester and grow.
I knew better than that. But something had to be done. We couldn't just ignore them, not when they seemed to be growing rather than dying down.
I thought about that as I flew back to the capital. I didn't know how the rumors started, but I could see how they continued. I hadn't said anything about Sven's relationship with Mia and Ashur. Not about the emails or his phone conversations. Or the meeting...
But I wasn't the only one who would have at least partial knowledge of his relationship with the dragons. Even apart from Sven's inner circle, there were the guards. The staff at the palace. The numerous chieftains and other representatives from various flocks that came in to have meetings with Sven.
There were too many potential roots of the rumors to narrow it down. Not that that would help really. And what were we going to do? Tell everyone they couldn't speak their opinions? That was one of the major reasons Emberich ended up how he had. With his head separated from his body.
No, finding the genesis of the rumors wasn't productive. Sven needed to address the subject of the rumors. Even I could admit the situation didn't look wonderful. I'd had reservations myself, if it came down to it. At the very least, the optics of the relationship were bad. Not good when people were looking for something to pick apart as it was.
I needed to speak with Sven. If he didn't know about this, he needed to find out.
So I didn't land at home like I'd originally planned to, but veered directly for the palace instead. The guards in phoenix form watched me approach, both from the tall towers and from their posts circling high above. But they didn't stop me. I was a familiar sight these days. They saw me coming and going often enough that they didn't bother stopping me.
The palace was almost my second home at this point. It was odd to think of. When I had the odd moment to think that was. Since I barely had the time to do my laundry, those moments were often few and far between.
After landing, I changed form and dressed before going inside. If Sven was in the middle of a meeting, I was ready to wait until he had a free moment. This wasn't something I wanted to discuss over email. Particularly since I didn't know who could access it, and who fueled the rumors to begin with.
But when I got to the doors, Blaise was just leaving, his meeting apparently over. He shot me a narrow-eyed look. He still wasn't a fan of mine. I think the fact that Sven and I were working so closely together added insult to injury in his mind. Perhaps he was silently rooting for me to fail, and the disappointment of the opposite happening burned. Frankly, I really didn't care why. He needed to move on, not be small and spiteful about it. He had probably been the kind of child to throw a tantrum when he lost a game.
I mentally sighed, slowing slightly when I saw him. The animosity he had for me wasn't usually an issue because we weren't around each other much. There was too much to do for everyone to be in one place all the time. Sven had adopted the strategy of divide and conquer, with favorable results so far.
"Do you have an appointment?" he asked pointedly, looking down his nose at me. He must have been sure I didn't have one. And he was right.
Rather than being caught in a lie, I was about to agree that I didn't when Igna spoke up.
"She does," he responded smoothly. "Last-minute addition," he explained.
Blaise shot Igna a look that said he didn't believe him for a second, but Igna just smiled at him, looking as bland as he was able to.
Huh.
With a huff of frustration, Blaise turned on his heel and walked away, muttering something to himself under his breath.
"Thank you, Igna," I murmured as I walked passed him to the doors. "I owe you one."
"It was my pleasure," he said, his smile turning sharp.
Someone Igna liked less than me. Good to know.
When I walked in, Sven was sitting at the desk alone. That was convenient. I didn't know if it was a good idea to bring this up in front of anyone else. It felt like too sensitive of a subject. He glanced up at me, welcome quickly replacing the surprise there. That look always made my heart skip a beat, no matter how much I told it to calm down. Maybe he'd always have this effect on me.
"Adara," he said, smiling as he stood. But then the smile faded as he took in my serious expression. "Is something wrong?"
"I have to talk to you about something."
He nodded, a slight frown appearing between his eyebrows.
"Have a seat," he said, sitting down after I took the chair he gestured to. "What is this about?"
"I've been hearing a lot of rumors about you lately," I replied. There was no way to sugar coat this, and I knew him well enough now that I knew he wouldn't like it if I bea
t around the bush anyway.
"What kind of rumors?" he asked, the frown deepening. "I'm assuming by your serious tone they aren't about how good of a job I'm doing," he added wryly.
"Then you'd be right," I said, smiling a little despite myself. But it faded quickly. "They aren't good. I've been hearing that your allegiance to us is questionable. That your relationship with the dragons is suspect. That you're propped up by the dragons so that you'll do what's in their best interest, not ours."
"What?" he snapped, shaking his head. "That's ridiculous."
"Why?" I pushed.
His eyes narrowed on me. But I had to push. At this point, I was actually a sympathetic ear. Not everyone would be. And he might have to respond to much harsher questions.
"Because Mia was the official heir to the throne in the first place," he said in a low voice. "She was crowned before I was! And now that we've opened the lines of communication between our races, it would be stupid to shut that down again. Both of our futures will be better if we work together. With each other. Not against each another."
I watched his sincere face intently, wanting to believe him.
"Those are all good points," I agreed.
"But?" he prodded, a ghost of a smile playing with his lips, though his eyes were serious. "I know that tone."
I sighed.
"However," I said pointedly. "I can also see people's concerns. We can't go from being sworn enemies to friends overnight, Sven." I shook my head. "Even if it is the practical thing to do. People need to be eased into it. They need to get used to the idea."
Sven made a frustrated sound, pushing his chair back and standing up.
"I'm tired of worrying about how everyone takes every tiny move I make," he growled.
I opened my mouth to respond, but before I knew it, he was over on my side of the desk. I gasped as he picked up my chair and spun it around with me in it, not even straining at the weight. Why did I find that show of strength so hot?
Sven leaned in, his arms braced on the chair on either side of me, his eyes locked on mine. He was close enough that I couldn't think about anything but that night when he was even closer. He took a deep breath, the color rising in his face. And I knew he was thinking of the exact same thing.
From the Ashes: A Dragons & Phoenixes Novel (The Phoenix Wars Book 1) Page 8