by M. K. Eidem
"We have," Kirall replied, "two actually. We both easily agreed that the first should be a White."
All heads turned to Dacke, who frowned at the attention for a moment then he jerked and looked to Kirall in shock. "What? Who? Me?"
"You, Dacke," Autumn told him, "have been deemed worthy by your actions and deeds to become a Supreme. Are you willing to accept this honor and all the responsibilities that come with being the first White Supreme on Mondu in generations?"
Dacke was silent for a moment, and Autumn could see everything racing through his mind.
"Do you truly believe I'm the right White for this?" he asked. "I'm only a Minor."
"Who better?" she immediately replied. "You understand what it feels like to be under an Elder who uses his power and position to do harm instead of helping his fellow Whites, and I know you would never do that."
Dacke knew that was true. He would never subject anyone, of any color, to what he'd gone through with Lando. But this would affect more than just him. "What about my family?"
Autumn gave him an understanding smile. "They will, of course, remain Minors. But that doesn't mean they can't be under your protection, share your Lair, or create one of their own within your boundaries. It would be up to you and your family. You will be the Keeper of your own Lair, Dacke, to rule as you see fit. Kirall and I will assist you in any way we can, but that comes with no strings or obligations except for those we've already informed you of."
Autumn knew this was somewhat unheard of. Yes, when a Dragoon mated an Other, the Other's family usually lived within the Dragoon's boundary for protection. But it wasn't that way when two Dragoons mated. When that happened, the family of the elevated Dragoon remained where they were and were expected to protect themselves.
"Then, I accept the challenge and responsibility of becoming a Supreme and will do everything within my power to make sure you never regret your decision of choosing me to become one."
"Then so it shall be." Autumn let her gaze travel over the group. "There is another here that we've deemed worthy. Strength comes in many different sizes and shapes, and just because one is not the traditional form doesn't make that less vital or true." Her gaze finally settled on Nixie. "Black Prime Nixie, you have been chosen to become a Black Supreme. Do you accept this honor and responsibility?"
"What?" Nixie's hand flew to the center of her chest as all eyes turned to her. "Me?"
"You," Autumn told her. "A new era is dawning on Mondu, Nixie. One where powerful females will be needed. Do you accept?" she repeated.
"I…" Nixie's gaze traveled over her family, taking in all their shock and unspoken questions. Sure there were times when they irritated the hell out of her, especially Zeb, and yes, she'd wanted to have her own Lair for a long time. But this?
"We realize this comes as a complete shock to you, Nixie, to all of you." Kirall's gaze settled on his parents. "And that you are going to have concerns as an unmated female has never been a Keeper of her own Lair, but Autumn and I have discussed it and believe we have come up with something that addresses that." He looked at his sister. "You told Autumn you could empower your own Lair."
"What?" Niccele looked to her oldest female in shock. "Nixie, is this true?"
"Yes," Nixie admitted. "I've been empowering jewels for years."
"I… I never knew," Niccele whispered.
"So, can you?" Kirall demanded.
"Yes," Nixie told him. "A small one."
"Never," Kiran growled, speaking up for the first time. "You are a Black Prime. My daughter and your Lair will not be in the lower regions!"
"And it won't be because that is no place for a Black Supreme," Kirall told his father hoping it would calm him. "As the power of your Hoard grows, Nixie, you would force lesser Dragoons out. Which is why we're suggesting that Nixie claim Vrakar as her Lair."
"What?" Startled gasps filled the air.
"I'd never be able to empower a Lair of that size," Nixie reluctantly admitted.
"You won't have to," Kirall told his sister. "I'm willing to let you claim Vrakar with everything in it, including its fully empowered Hoard."
More gasps filled the room. While it wasn't uncommon for empowered jewels to be traded to acquire desired items or access to a more comfortable passage through a more powerful Dragoon's territory, never was a Lair given with a fully empowered Hoard.
"But… but…" Nixie stuttered. "You've spent centuries empowering Vrakar. It rivals Vrasal in size and power."
"I did, and it does," Kirall agreed quietly. "But Kruba is my Lair now, mine and Autumn's, and it makes no sense for me to strip Vrakar of its power when it’s not needed here."
"It will give you the independence you want while easing your parents’ concerns by you still being close to them," Autumn told her. "We are offering you this whether or not you choose to become a Supreme, Nixie."
"Either way?" Nixie couldn't believe it.
"Either way," Autumn reassured her. "You will be the Keeper of Vrakar. You will decide who, if anyone, shares it with you." Autumn let that sink in for a moment, her gaze traveling to Ravannah and Aisling before returning to Nixie. "We need your decision, Nixie."
The room itself seemed to be holding its breath as it, and everyone in it waited for her answer.
Nixie let her gaze travel over her family. Kirall and Autumn weren't just giving her everything she'd ever dreamed of, her freedom and independence, they were giving her a chance to be more than just a female. She could actually make a difference in the future of her fellow Dragoons.
"I accept the challenge and responsibility of becoming a Supreme and will do everything within my power to make sure you never regret your decision of choosing me to become one."
Autumn nodded and rose. "Then you, Dacke, Kirall, and I need to step into the next room."
Kirall had insisted on this, that the actual way someone was transformed into a Dragoon needed to remain secret, even from their family, to protect Autumn. Autumn hadn't thought it was necessary, but when her mate refused to budge on this, she'd conceded knowing he was protecting her the only way he could in this. If it became known that the taking of her blood could transform someone into a Supreme, she could be hunted.
"We'll be back soon," Kirall told his family.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
The room they led Dacke and Nixie to was smaller than the one they'd just left. Chairs lined the walls with large tapestries hanging above them that depicted the lives of Kruba's former Keepers. At the far end of the room, standing alone, were two large chairs on a raised platform that reminded Autumn of thrones. Kirall had told her this was where previous Keepers would have heard the worries and concerns of those under their protection and settled any disputes.
They had decided that this would be the perfect place to perform the ceremony. Autumn and Kirall walked toward the chairs, and Dacke and Nixie followed. Once Autumn had walked up the steps, she turned and faced Dacke and Nixie but didn't sit, and Kirall moved to stand slightly behind her.
"There is one more thing before we begin." Autumn’s gaze traveled between Dacke and Nixie. "I will have your vow that you will never discuss what happens in this room. With anyone. Not me. Not Kirall. Not your mate, your family, or any other Supreme that is created."
"My vow," Dacke immediately crossed an arm over his chest, thumping his fist over his heart.
"My vow." Nixie imitated Dacke's action.
Autumn nodded her acceptance of their vows. "Then White Minor Dacke and Black Prime Nixie, kneel before me."
She and Kirall hadn’t discussed how she would actually bestow her Kiss. But standing there, she somehow knew exactly what to do. Rolling up her sleeves, she stepped before the two kneeling Dragoons who were looking up at her. Extending a now bare wrist to each as she spoke, her voice contained a power that it hadn't moments before.
"As one who has been chosen to be a Supreme, and accepted the responsibility that comes with it, now receive the Supreme’s Kiss."
It took all of Kirall's control to not rip Dacke and Nixie away from his mate. He hadn't realized she'd planned on doing them at the same time. Was that possible? Would it harm her? Even as he had those thoughts, the room filled with a power unlike anything he'd ever felt and as before with Kur, Autumn began to glow, her hair floating around her.
While it seemed to take forever to Kirall, in reality, it wasn't long before Autumn pulled her wrists away and stepped back, the wounds on her wrists closing without a drop of blood spilling. As she did, Dacke and Nixie fell forward on their hands, gasping.
Ignoring them, Kirall pulled his mate close, his gaze taking in how pale her already light skin had become. "Are you alright?" he demanded gruffly.
"I'm fine," she reassured him, faintly, "I just need a minute."
"You will not be doing that again," Kirall growled.
"Kirall," Autumn looked up at him in disbelief.
"No," he cut her off. "You are my mate. You come before everyone and everything, including the survival of Mondu.”
"Oh, Kirall…" Reaching up, she cupped her mate's cheek. She knew what it had taken for Kirall to stand by and watch her do this, something that he saw as possibly harmful to her. She knew it would drive her crazy if the situation were reversed. But there was no way she could stop. Lives were at stake. "You know I have to do this."
"Not two at a time! From now on, only one!"
Understanding, she nodded. "I can agree with that."
With that settled they looked back to Dacke and Nixie who were slowly beginning to stand. Autumn ran a critical eye over Nixie first. She'd immediately noticed the changes in Kirall when she'd made him her mate, but she wasn't sure how it would affect Nixie. Looking at her sister-in-law, she immediately saw that silver laminae now lined the ends of her jet black hair and when Nixie raised her eyes, silver now rimmed them.
"How are you feeling?"
"I…" Nixie frowned at her slightly. "Good. Empowered. Like I'm suddenly what I was always meant to be." Looking down, she flexed her hand and claws instantly extended. "Kur, that feels amazing."
"What does?"
"Knowing I'll be able to defend not only myself but my sisters in this form."
"You will." Autumn's gaze moved to Dacke who also now had silver laminae and rimmed eyes, but unlike Kirall, Dacke's bulk had nearly doubled in size. He was far more massive than any Black Prime but smaller than Kirall. "Dacke?"
"I never thought I could feel like this. So powerful and yet still myself." He gave Kirall an awed look.
"That's because you are," Kirall told him, his gaze going to his sister. "Both of you are. You are now just more."
"Are you ready to return to the others?" Autumn asked. "While she didn't say anything, I know Niccele is going to be concerned about her daughter." Her gaze went to Dacke. "And you too, of course, Dacke."
Dacke gave her a small smile as he nodded his head understandingly.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Niccele stared blindly out the window, her arms wrapped around her waist. She wasn't sure what she thought about all this. Her daughter becoming a Supreme? Becoming the Keeper of her own Lair? She'd always known Nixie hated going through her Heat in their Lair, but she hadn't thought she wanted to leave altogether. Why hadn't she come to her to discuss it? Any of her daughters? She'd caught the way Autumn had looked at Ravannah and Aisling. She'd also caught the flare of excitement in their eyes. Niccele had always thought they'd had a good relationship. Now she wasn't so sure. Turning, she looked to her mate.
"It will be fine, Niccele. Neither Kirall nor Autumn would allow anything to happen to Nixie." His mate didn't need to voice her concerns to him. They'd been together long enough for him to know her thoughts.
"I know, it's just…"
"I can't believe Nixie is going to be a Supreme," Zeb murmured.
"Starting to regret burning her hair off all those years ago?" Ravannah teased.
"No… maybe," he finally admitted.
All heads turned when the doors opened, and Kirall and Autumn walked in, followed by Dacke and Nixie.
"Nixie!" Niccele rushed across the room, wrapping her arms around her daughter.
"I’m fine, Mom," Nixie reassured as she hugged her back.
"You’re sure?" Niccele pulled back to run a critical eye over her daughter. While there were changes like her laminae and eyes, otherwise she appeared the same.
"I am. I feel amazing."
"I would never allow a member of my family to be harmed," Autumn told Niccele quietly.
"I know." Niccele moved to embrace Autumn. "But it’s a mother's job to worry." Her gaze widened as it went to Dacke, who was now significantly larger. "Dacke?"
"Lady Niccele," Dacke bowed slightly to her.
"My goodness," Niccele released Autumn to get a better look at him, then lowered her head to him. "Elder Dacke."
"What?" Dacke's eyes widened in shock. "I'm not an Elder."
"Actually, you are." Kiran had followed his mate across the room and respectfully lowered his head. "As you are now the only White Supreme. It will be an honor serving with you."
After a moment’s hesitation, Dacke returned the bow. "Thank you, Elder Kiran."
"There is only one thing else we need to discuss," Kirall said as they all moved deeper into the room.
"What?" Dacke asked.
"We need you to not reveal that you are now Supremes until the Council reconvenes. We need the Council focused on what Tove has done and not that there are now more Supremes."
"So we won't be going to Dramman with you?" Nixie frowned at that.
"You will be. We'll need you."
"For what?" Dacke asked.
"To show everyone that Mondu can and is changing."
"My family…" Dacke trailed off.
"Contact them," Kirall encouraged. "Tell them to come to Kruba, and have them bring your Hoard if they can."
"If they are unable to, I would be honored to assist them in doing so," Kiran said quietly.
"Wouldn't it be best for my Hoard to remain where it is until I can establish a new Lair?"
Kirall and Autumn looked at each other for a moment before Autumn spoke. "Kirall and I would very much like it if you were to claim Krapis."
"Krapis?!!" Dacke's eyes widened in shock. "Tove's Lair?"
"Before it was Tove's, it was the Lair of a White Supreme named Virgil. He was Razeth's closest friend. Just as you are Kirall's. It seems fitting." Autumn let that hang in the air for a moment. "But it is, of course, your choice."
"One I'd readily accept if I thought I had enough jewels to empower such a Lair."
"Krapis is now within Kruba's boundaries, and it shall remain so until you have sufficiently empowered your Hoard."
"It will take years to acquire enough jewels to do that, not to mention to empower them."
"I think you will find Krapis is full of jewels," Kirall told him. "Macawi and Maaike left nearly all of them behind."
"But they…"
"Abandoned them," Kirall told him, "Making them available to whoever wishes to claim them just as it would be with any other Lair."
"Tove will be enraged once he learns of this," Kiran warned.
"That's not my problem," Kirall told his father. "He failed to protect his Lair."
"I would be honored to claim Krapis," Dacke announced.
"Wonderful." Autumn walked over and hugged Dacke. "I can't wait to meet your family."
"I'll just step out and contact them," he told her.
"Say nothing about becoming a Supreme," Kirall warned.
Dacke nodded and stepped out onto the balcony.
Chapter Five
As a group they took to the air to fly over Kruba's massive territory after Dacke had contacted his parents, reassuring them he was fine and requestin
g they come to Kruba with his Hoard. When they reached the boundary closest to Vrasal, Kirall's family broke off and headed home. In part, because Nixie was excited to claim Vrakar, but also because with Dacke's family arriving the next day, they would have enough to deal with without explaining two new Supremes.
So once again, Autumn found herself standing on the steps of Kruba as another group of Dragoons landed in their courtyard. Only this time she didn't know any of them. Oh, Autumn knew Dacke's father was Daiki, and his mother was Femke, and that both were well respected across all the colors. She also knew that his two younger brothers, Daker and Feng, who were also coming, were both unmated and had Lairs close to their parents’. None of that told her how they would react to her changing their eldest son into a Supreme.
"Elder Kirall. Elder Autumn." The Dragoon that spoke wore dark pants, knee-high black boots, and a white flowing shirt. His long white hair with its white laminae flowed freely around his face as he approached. His gaze traveled beyond them before he gave them a deep bow. "Thank you for the… invitation."
The way he hesitated on the word told Autumn he didn't feel that's what it had been. Still, she said, "Welcome to Kruba, Minor Daiki."
Daiki nodded, then turning reached out for the hand of the stunningly beautiful female behind him, bringing her to his side. She too had pure white hair and white laminae and wore a long white gown. "Elder Autumn, may I introduce my mate, Lady Femke."
"It is an honor to meet you, Elder Autumn." Femke bowed her head to Autumn.
"And our other two offspring," Daiki continued, "Daker and Feng."
The other two males, who closely resembled Daiki, approached carrying a small chest between them and bowed. "Elder Kirall. Elder Autumn."
"Welcome," Autumn repeated.
"We thought Dacke would be here to greet us," Daiki commented, his gaze boring into Kirall's.
Kirall raised an eyebrow at the challenge in the other male's voice. "Dacke is not the Keeper of this Lair." Daiki stiffened when Kirall released the smallest trickle of his power. "Therefore, it is not his place to greet our guests."
