by J. D. Monroe
“And they can hear us?” Tarim said.
“Yes, ma’am,” the woman replied.
Even the modest thrones had been removed, replaced by a conference table with hard chairs. Each place was marked with a handwritten card indicating who should sit there. He sat with Sohan and Dyadra, with Marlena further down the table. Her eyes drifted to him, wide and searching. He nodded to her, and she settled back into her chair.
Two harried-looking agents buzzed around the room, adjusting cameras and swapping cords. One snapped his fingers in front of one of the cameras as he watched a digital meter on his tablet. Finally, Valella raised her hand. “I think we are ready,” she said. Her voice quavered slightly. “Thank you, esteemed queens for joining us. I know this is a strange way for us to gather.”
Velati suppressed a smile as Queen Halmerah leaned off to the side. “Su’ud redahn, look here. That’s a monitor. The camera is here.”
“A what?”
“This is most irregular,” Tarim’s brother said. “Please forgive our confusion. The magic of the human realm is unfamiliar to us.”
“We thought it best for the safety of the queens,” Sohan said. “Given the circumstances, putting all of you in a room together was inviting an ambush. I preferred not to hand the Chosen such an easy victory.”
“I appreciate your concern,” Halmerah said.
Valella nodded. “If we can start—”
“We should pray to the Skymother first,” Halmerah said. “As one traditionally does at such a gathering.”
Valella’s face fell. “Yes, of course.”
The haughty Stoneflight queen closed her eyes and intoned a long, formal prayer, beseeching the Skymother for guidance and protection. As the others around the table bowed their heads, a foot clipped his shin. He peeked to see Sohan shaking his head. He smirked. They should have placed bets on how long it would take for the queens to start marking their territory. It came as no surprise that Halmerah was the first.
“The reason I have gathered you is to discuss the threat of the Chosen,” Valella said.
“Ah yes,” Halmerah said. “I am well aware of them. As you know, my city was attacked, though we did not have a name to put to the attackers yet. I would—”
Dyadra spoke up. “With all due respect, I request that you let Queen Valella speak.”
Halmerah scowled. “And who are you?”
“Kaldirah Bladewhisper, though that name is a distant memory,” Dyadra said. “They once called me the Silent Tempest.”
Halmerah’s icy eyes widened further, but she quickly regained her compuosure. “And they call me the queen of Adamantine Rise. I sit upon the very throne of the High Empress.”
“I know who you are and where you sit. I served your predecessor when you were but an ambitious child. You may sit upon her throne as long as you like,” Dyadra said. “You will listen when others speak.” Halmerah’s eyes narrowed in anger, and he didn’t miss the look of smug satisfaction on Tarim’s face. “I speak for the Arik’tazhan. We have lived many years and seen the rise and fall of many queens. We are not here for one of you to name yourself a High Empress. We are here to determine how we will protect our people. Am I understood?” Sohan’s eyes were fixed on Dyadra, filled with pride.
“How dare…” Tarim jolted suddenly like someone had pinched her. Her brother shook his head silently. Her voice took on a honey-sweet timbre. “I understand, kordari. Thank you very much for your wisdom.”
When the others had echoed their agreement, Dyadra gestured to Valella. “Su’ud redahn?”
“Thank you, kordari,” Valella said. Her hands trembled as she lifted a tablet from her lap. For the next fifteen minutes, she read a detailed report describing the facilities they’d discovered, the attacks on Arvelor and the other smaller cities of Adrahl, and finally, the findings of the interviews Marlena had conducted. It painted a grim picture of a war that had been won before they even realized they were fighting. The other queens listened in stunned silence. By the time she was finished, they all looked stricken, except Udezari, who simply looked angry.
“They cannot topple us,” Tarim finally said.
“They can,” Udezari replied. “They swept over my domain in a matter of months. Only Tahlan-Lev still stands, and that’s only because the Chosen decided it was no longer worth the resources.”
Tarim’s brow arched. “Perhaps I should have been clearer. They will not breach Ironhold. My city has never fallen, and that will not change.”
Udezari raised her eyebrows, lips pursing in disdain. “I would not be so self-assured.”
“Stop,” Sohan said. He barely raised his voice, but the command was clear. “We have to come together.”
“What would you have us do, Shadowbane?” Falzahne asked. Where the others were brash, the Ashflight queen was quiet and reserved. Tucked into the dense forest of the Iveron, the Ashflight had always been something of an anomaly. They were devout worshipers of the Skymother and counted it their sacred duty to defend the Temple of Mara, where the Marashti healers trained. They largely avoided the territorial battles of their kin, and there was an implicit agreement that they were to be left alone. “I would hear your wisdom.”
“Their supplies are coming from here, as are their weapons,” Sohan said. “We’ve shut down the production, but we know they have stockpiles. Their leadership will be gathered at Haven within a few days. Finally, we learned that they have their own Gate. My guess is that they’re planning to move the operation into Ascavar.”
Prince Zayir leaned forward, amber eyes intent on the camera. “You said their leadership will be gathered. Why? That seems convenient. One might even suspect a trap.”
“They’re gathering to finish the ritual of ascension,” Marlena spoke up. “There are five…four Aesdar ready to finish and join the fight.”
“And who are you?” Halmerah asked.
“An ally,” Velati said.
“I was one of the Chosen,” Marlena said without looking at him. She held up her arms so they could see the intricate tattoos. “Marked to become Aesdar.”
Udezari leaned back, eyes narrowing. “Why is she here?”
“She wishes to help us,” Sohan said. “And we will gladly take it. She’s questioned some of the prisoners who were resistant to our abilities.”
“Aesdar?” Zayir asked. “Forgive my ignorance. What is that?”
“The white dragons that attacked my lands,” Udezari said. “And Halmerah’s, by the sound of it.”
“Oh, I was there as Halmerah’s guest, though I did not know the abominations had a name,” Zayir said drily. Halmerah glanced off-screen at the mention of her name. “Perhaps the best weapon against the Chosen is one of their own making.”
“I am not fully marked,” Marlena said. “The rituals are not complete.”
“That’s a shame,” Zayir said. “If you wish to help, that would be a boon.”
“No,” Velati said.
“If that’s what it comes to,” Marlena said.
“No,” Velati said again firmly. She averted her gaze from him, watching the screens instead.
“Shadowbane, what do you suggest?” Falzahne asked, undeterred by the argument.
“If I may,” he said, cutting his eyes toward Dyadra and Valella. The queen gave him a nod. “We need to strike soon. If we can take out their leadership, that may slow down their efforts in Ascavar. We also need to destroy their Gate. That will isolate the remaining Chosen here while their forces in Ascavar are cut off from supplies.”
“They may seek the other Gates to travel as they did at Broken Stone,” Halmerah said.
“Let them,” Zayir said. “We will reinforce all of the Gates and have a bloody welcome for them.”
“And while you attack there, what shall we do?” Queen Tarim asked.
Sohan was grim. “Prepare for war. Try to discover if they have already sown seeds of discord among your people as they did in Tahlan-Lev and Arvelor. When we have taken down
their base here, I’m prepared to join you wherever I’m needed. I cannot fight the way I once did, but I will train your soldiers to face the weapons of the Chosen.”
“As will I,” Dyadra said. “If we can capture their leader and determine their plan of attack, we can head them off. Perhaps even force him to command a retreat.”
“I doubt that,” Marlena said quietly. “They’ve always bragged that the Chosen aren’t about any one person. They ultimately serve a god, not a person. If you take out Sidran, someone will step into his place to continue the fight. I’m not saying you shouldn’t do it, but don’t expect them to fall apart just because he’s gone. If anything, it will make him a martyr.”
Dyadra nodded. “Understood.”
The discussions continued for some time as the queens peppered the Skyward Rest dragons with questions. Marlena’s eyes were wide as she looked from screen to screen, listening intently. And with his growing affection for her, he couldn’t shake the cold, disturbing thought whispering in his mind. This was a position one of the Chosen would kill for. It would be one hell of a long game. Was she capable of it? Could he ever be absolutely certain of her allegiance?
“Let me be certain of our agreement, sisters,” Valella said. “The forces of Skyward Rest will strike at the Chosen here in our realm. In the meantime, you will all begin preparing for war as you see fit. When we have gained control of the Chosen here, Shadowbane and his forces will travel to Ascavar to join you.”
Halmerah nodded. “What of the other Arik’tazhan? How many remain?”
“Not as many of us as I would like, but there are others. Viraszel Dawnblaze remains in the Ironflight lands,” Sohan said. The Ironflight queen glanced at her brother. The prince flinched slightly at Viraszel’s name. “Farikul Frostbane is in the city of Theszand, but is heading toward Adamantine Rise to make himself known to you, Queen Halmerah. There are several others I haven’t heard from yet. I sent word to everyone I could when we first realized the threat of the Chosen, but I directed them to be wary, not to mobilize. I had hoped it wouldn’t be necessary, but I was wrong. They will answer when we call.”
Valella was grim as she regarded Sohan. “Then may the Skymother bless us all.”
As the technicians took down the unsightly wires and tripods, Rosak caught Velati’s arm. “I want her questioning our people as soon as she’s able,” he said. “Until then, don’t take your eyes off her. We can’t afford to lose her before the strike.”
“Understood,” Velati said. He didn’t need to be told twice.
“I’ll be coordinating with Shadowbane and Skyblaze to plan the incursion. Ideally, I want to conduct interviews tomorrow so we know who we can trust. Then, if we’ve got any last minute gaps, she can interrogate the prisoners to shore it up,” Rosak said. “Is that acceptable?”
Velati nodded. “If I can help you plan, call me. Otherwise, I’m happy to be pointed in the right direction.”
“Thank you,” he said.
To his surprise, Marlena rounded the table and approached Sohan. She gave him a shallow bow. The older man’s silver eyes widened. “Sir, I have a suggestion.”
“What’s that?” Sohan asked, staring up at her with a wary expression.
“If it would help, I’ll go back to them and let them finish the marks,” she said. “If you could get me out again, then I could be strong enough to fight for you.”
“Absolutely not,” Velati interjected.
“And if we didn’t get you out again, that’s one more weapon in their arsenal. Assuming they didn’t kill you on the spot for turning on them,” Sohan said. His expression softened. “It’s very brave of you to offer, an’kadi, but that’s not a risk I want to take.” His eyes drifted over her head to meet Velati’s. “I don’t intend to send you into their grasp.”
“But maybe it could help.”
“I know what you’re trying to do,” Sohan said. “You feel shitty about being one of them.” Her face paled. “That’s something you’ll have to reconcile in your own time. But you’re not singlehandedly responsible for everything they did. You’re making good by helping us. Let them pay for their own sins.”
Her jaw dropped. “Yes, sir,” she said meekly.
Sohan met Velati’s eyes. “I’ll be in touch.”
He lingered to talk to Rosak, leaving Velati and Marlena to walk together through the palace. She was quiet, though she walked close enough that her arm brushed against his. Finally, he broke the silence. “What was that?”
“I thought I could help,” she said without looking up at him.
“You are helping.”
“I could help more.”
“No,” he said firmly.
She looked up at him, eyes narrowed. “It’s not your choice.”
“I’m making it mine. You heard him. You don’t have to make up for all of their wrongs.” He grasped her wrist lightly. “I’m not giving you up to them.” Despite his determination, he couldn’t stop thinking about that call. Was it an empty threat?
Her lips parted, then sealed again in a gentle smile. “Okay.”
“Now, I have specific orders,” he said, trying to push the troubling thoughts out of his mind. “I am to keep you safe while you recover enough to question our people. So, what in the world are we going to do for the rest of the evening?”
“I can think of at least one thing.”
Her heart pounded in anticipation as Velati opened the door ahead of her. He unlocked the manacles from her wrists, then set them aside. She propped one hand on her hip, giving him the most serious expression she could muster.
“Now, I was thinking—ah!” She yelped as he lifted her off her feet. Powerful arms encircled her, imprisoning her against his chest. He backpedaled into the couch.
“You’re done thinking now,” he growled. A delicious shiver broke across her skin as he nuzzled her neck, pulling her tighter to him. He was hard as a rock under her. She wanted to rip every infuriating stitch of clothing off him, but her brain wouldn’t stop.
“Is this the wrong time? With everything going on?” Why couldn’t she shut her stupid mouth and enjoy it?
He lifted his head, brow furrowed. “Marlena, do you want to have sex with me or not?”
“Well, obviously,” she said. His candor was refreshing, though it brought a flush to her cheeks. “But things are so serious. Someone just tried to kill me, and now you’re about to launch an attack that might get a bunch of people killed.”
He hesitated, resting his hands lightly on her thighs. It was hard to watch his lips while wishing fervently they were on hers. “Sohan and the others are planning the strike. I’ll have to go back later to give my input and get orders. Until then, I’m not needed. And I’m not bullshitting you. We’re worried someone might try to take you out before you can question our people. I have orders to make sure that doesn’t happen, which means I keep my eyes on you.” He squeezed her leg gently, and she instinctively inched closer, straddling him. “But I don’t think that’s what you’re asking.”
“It seems like we should be worried, not falling into bed. This feels like we’re not taking it seriously.”
“I am worried. Aren’t you?” She nodded. He stroked her cheek, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “I lived through some dark times in our world. I learned that life is simpler when you’re at war. You steal the moments you can because they disappear so fast. I could die tomorrow.”
“Don’t say that!”
He shrugged. “I could. So could you. None of us is guaranteed a long, happy life, especially not people like you and me. Right now, we have a window to grab a little bit of happiness. So if you want me, then it’s the right time.”
“Do you think—”
“Ah, ah, no more thinking,” he said, shaking his head. He grasped her face lightly, kissing the tip of her nose, then across her brow as he spoke. “For now, we’re going to an island. Just you and me. None of this matters. Remember?”
“None of it matter
s,” she murmured.
“So, yes or no? I won’t be upset either way. But if it’s no, you’re going to have to get off my lap before there’s a situation I have to deal with myself.”
“Yes,” she breathed.
He tilted his head. “Serious question. Are you on the pill? It’s hard for dragons to get pregnant, and who even knows with the two of us, but I’d prefer no surprises.”
“Implant,” she said. “No worries here.”
His lips curved up into a hungry grin. “Excellent. Then from here on out, the only thought I want in your head is more,” he whispered, teeth tugging at her earlobe.
“Can’t have more if we don’t get started,” she said.
“That’s the spirit.” Suddenly, he surged to his feet and tossed her over his shoulder, one strong arm looped over her hips.
“What are you, a caveman?” she asked between peals of laughter.
“Yes, I have gone hunting and discovered a beautiful woman. Now I will take her back to my cave and have my way with her.” With a growl, he deposited her on the bed, then reached for the hem of her shirt. He stole a kiss, then pulled it over her head deftly.
Feeling playful, she dodged his next kiss and pointed at him. “Take that off,” she said. He flinched, one hand drifting to the amulet on his exposed chest. “Not that, I meant. You can—”
Without breaking eye contact, he lifted the chain over his head, then deposited it on the nightstand.
“Are you sure?” she asked.
“Do I need it?”
“No,” she replied. She was overwhelmed by his silent confirmation of trust, but she forced a smile. Don’t ruin it. “I meant the clothes.”
“I thought you liked it.”
“I like what’s under it even better,” she said. He deftly untied the ties on the tunic and let it fall to the ground. She pointed down. “Those too.”
Instead of complying, he lunged for her and kissed her, hands roaming all over. “You are very demanding.”