by Lisa Oliver
“He’s what?” Byron tossed aside the robe he’d been considering and sprang to his feet, heading for the door.
“You can’t interfere,” David said running to block him from opening the door. “I’m sorry, I thought you knew. The elders decided after what happened with Ivan, that a surrogate needed to be found quickly, in the hopes that the resulting child would be full dragon. Byron, think about this. It’s for the good of ice dragons everywhere. The woman chosen won’t be Ivak’s consort… she won’t have any standing…”
“Except as a brood mare. There’s no way I’ll be a party to this, and neither will Ivak,” Byron growled. “If shit comes to shove, I’ll carry my mate’s child and there’s no one more full dragon than me. Now get the fuck out of my way.”
“Byron please.” David tried to push him away from the door, but he was no match for Byron. “You’re not an ice dragon and Ivak didn’t know this was going to happen, so this situation will be bad enough…”
“You think this is bad?” Byron pushed David away from the door and slammed it open. “You haven’t seen the new king on a bad day.”
Byron knew where Ivak was – as their bond grew, he was aware of his mate every second he was awake. Now, as he ran down the long hallway, he cursed as he felt Ivak’s anger increase. Any minute now… Pushing through the doors of the room adjacent to the throne room, Byron yelled quickly, “Don’t kill him. He’s an elder.”
Ivak looked up, one of the elder’s throat in his hand, his face a familiar scowl. “Do you know what these idiots intended for me, for us?”
“I just found out.” Byron ran over to where Ivak was leaning over his prey. He barely noticed the other two frightened elders or the dozens of beautiful, scantily clad women who were huddled in the corner. “Babe, think about what you’re doing. These poor women will be traumatized enough thinking they had to bear a child for a barbarian like you. Do you think killing an elder is helping your reputation?”
“He insulted me. He insulted you. He insulted our mating.” The elder’s head wobbled with every shake of Ivak’s hand. “He wanted me to jack off into a cup before I’d even been crowned. I’m not the barbarian here.”
“Ice dragons have problems conceiving, babe.” Byron purposefully didn’t look at the stricken dragon, or anyone else in the room. He kept his focus on Ivak’s face. “The elders were just worried about succession, and while I’m just as angry about this as you are, you don’t see me trying to kill someone. Remember what I said back in the car… what I said to you before we even entered the castle.”
Dropping the elder, whose face was now almost purple, Ivak smoothed down his black tunic. “Don’t kill them. Humiliate them. Strip them of all their power, possessions and status. Make them live with the shame of having upset their king so badly they didn’t even have the right to lick my boots.” He glared at the elder who was rubbing his throat. “Would you lick my boots?”
“No, your majesty.” The elder coughed. “I’m an elder, the highest in the land, counselor to kings and princes…”
“I don’t think your plan’s going to work, babe.” Byron could see Ivak was deadly serious. “If the guy’s not prepared to lick my boots anyway, then what’s the point of lowering his status to the point he’s not allowed to.”
“It’s about being merciful.” Byron tapped Ivak’s chest where his heart was. “It’s about not killing everyone who upsets you, and instead meting out a punishment that is longer lasting and more fitting to the insult. You heard what he said – he’s an elder, respected, revered. He probably takes backhanders and bribes every day because people know he has the ear of the king. If you kill him, he becomes a martyr to the king’s bad temper. If you strip him of his position, however, demand he give up his horde, send him packing from the castle…”
“Your majesty, please no.” The elder struggled to get to his feet. “I only wanted what was best for ice dragons everywhere. With your succession assured…”
“I’d be dead.” Ivak shook his head. “Honestly, you guys must all think I’m a moron. Get my swimmers in a cup, dole it out to half a dozen suitable applicants and pray some of those swimmers find their mark. Four months later, as soon as one of the ladies drops a son, I’m history and my mate along with me. Not gonna happen.” Besides,” Ivak took Byron’s hand, “succession is already assured. Radostnyy told me this morning, we are with child. Now, babe, you’re not wearing that tiara. Did you want a coronet for the ceremony instead?”
“What did you just say?” Byron rubbed over his stomach as his knees wobbled and black spots appeared in front of his eyes. You promised you wouldn’t do this, he mentally yelled at Dancer.
“We’re pregnant,” Ivak said calmly. “We, as in the royal we, I’m getting used to using it, that is to say me. I’m pregnant. Our child will be born in three to four months. Now, about that coronet. The coronation is due to start in fifteen minutes and I don’t like to be late for anything.”
“A coronet is fine.” Byron stumbled towards a seat, forgetting Ivak still had hold of him. “How did… we haven’t… I haven’t… how…”
“Dragon flight. Remember?” After helping Byron to sit so he wouldn’t fall down, Ivak yelled at the others. “You ladies get something respectable on if you’re expected at the coronation. Our nation will not be known as one for loose morals. Guards, remove that elder – sit him in the dungeon for now, while I think of a suitable punishment, which will be after the coronation. You two,” he pointed to the other two elders. “Get a coronet for my consort. He’s not wearing a damn tiara when he enters the throne room for the first time.”
“That’s what I told David.” Byron buried his face in his hands. I’m going to be a father.
/~/~/~/~/
Ivak was not as calm as he appeared. Being ambushed by a gaggle of scantily clad women was not his idea of a good time, and when his dragon informed him they weren’t even necessary to produce an heir because he was already pregnant, he lashed out at the person closest to him, who happened to be the elder who was busy explaining the benefits of the harem parade and insulting his mating all in the same breath.
Now, as Ivak prepared to enter the throne room for the first time, his mate by his side, and David and Petrov in front of him along with the six Hollingsworth guards behind them, Ivak almost hoped someone would challenge his right to be king. He needed to hit someone before he ended up curled in a ball in a quiet room going quietly insane.
Pregnant. Me. Now, Ivak understood what his wolf meant when he asked if Ivak accepted all the consequences that came from their spiritual mating. He could have mentioned getting pregnant was one of them.
“All stand for the future king, Prince Ivak Sellivik, and his consort, Byron Hollingsworth.” David stamped the ground with the long gold staff he held, topped with a brilliant diamond. A fanfare started up from somewhere, and Ivak stepped forward, his mate’s arm resting on his.
One step. Two steps. Ivak barely recognized any of the faces present. There were a few he could pick out – heads of states he’d done business with over the years, but no one he considered a friend. At the front of the room, he recognized Dirk and Jon and was pleased the older Hollingsworth had come to support his brother. Beside Dirk, was Council Elder Crowcroft. Ivak quickly scanned the room to make sure no paranormal council guards were present, but Crowcroft was smiling, and his only company appeared to be his wife.
This is worse than a human wedding ceremony. Do you even know most of these people? Byron’s grumble was a grounding thought in the middle of a surreal scene.
Only your brother, his mate and the elder. Ivak watched as David took his place in front of the throne and slightly to the left of it. Petrov, looking splendid in a Hollingsworth uniform took his place at the right and behind the throne. Petrov’s new position as head of palace security would be confirmed the moment he claimed his mate. For now, he was standing in for the regular head of guard who Ivak had dismissed, sure the man was more likely to garrote hi
m at the first opportunity, than protect him.
“You are witness today to a very solemn and thankfully rare occasion,” David intoned seriously. “The crowning of the new Ice Dragon King. Honored guests, if you could please be seated. Prince Ivak, if you and your consort could take your places in front of the thrones.”
Letting out a long breath, Ivak stepped up onto the small platform that housed two thrones for the first time, one only slightly smaller than the other. Turning to face the audience, Ivak glanced up at the large sheets of glass in the ceiling. In the event of a challenge, they would be opened remotely, allowing the challenge to be conducted in dragon form.
“The crowning of a king is a very serious situation, adhered to in our laws according to thousands of years of tradition.” David looked around the crowd, speaking loud enough to be heard by all. “Prince Ivak was made his father’s heir in sixteen ninety-three, and while the late king continued the thankless search for his mate in the intervening years, he was unsuccessful. Therefore, in accordance to our laws, that decree still stands and is as valid today as when it was first written. While the line of succession is irrefutable, given how Prince Ivak is the late king’s only living offspring, at this point Prince Ivak issues a challenge to any ice dragon who refuses to accept his blood tie to the late king. Challengers, if you would make yourself known now, by standing and stating your lineage and claim to the throne.”
Come on. Come on. Surely one of you must have the balls to fight me. Looking among the faces, there were a lot of pleasant and curious expressions, but Ivak saw a few shows of disgust, a couple of ducked heads, and even one youngish looking man who met Ivak’s gaze unflinchingly. Yes, you’ll do little one. Come on challenge me. If you do it, others will follow, and I can have a right old brawl. But after a long stare, the man dropped his eyes and seemed to huddle in his seat as an older man whispered furiously in his ear.
“There are no challengers.” David sounded almost proud. “Prince Ivak’s claim to the throne is accepted by all. Your majesty, if you and your consort could please take your seats for the crowning ceremony.”
How the fuck did that happen? Ivak sat as the two elders came forward mumbling all sorts of words he didn’t pay attention to, stunned that things had gone that far. How the hell did a half wolf, half dragon become king of all the ice dragons when there were so many other full dragons that should have tried to take it from me?
I told you they would all bow before us, Radostnyy’s voice came through gleefully. They’re still on their knees.
Oh fuck. Ivak would have rubbed his face, but the elder was in front of him, and seconds later Ivak felt the weight of the ice dragon crown on his head. Trust me to get a power-hungry dragon.
“All rise and swear fealty, loyalty and service to the new ice dragon king, King Ivak and his consort, Prince Byron.” Even David was enjoying himself in his pompous role.
Chapter Twenty-Five
The swearing loyalty and following reception went on for hours. Byron’s head swum from the sheer number of people he’d met in one day, but as the night fell, and the wind chill in the air increased, most of the visitors left, leaving only the ice dragon families to continue on with their celebrations. Byron was more than happy when Ivak dragged him away. Petrov and David had disappeared hours before and one could only assume Petrov had felt David had groveled enough to be claimed. Or not. Byron didn’t know or care.
What did surprise him was when Ivak led him into the throne room, now shrouded in darkness, with only a few dim candles and the pale stars beyond the glass ceiling for lighting. “What are we doing in here?” Byron whispered, almost afraid to speak normally in such a hallowed space. “It’s not as though we have to go sneaking into the throne room to see what it would be like to sit on a throne. We sat on ours for three freaking hours this afternoon. My butt still aches from it.”
“I thought we might fly.” Ivak sat on the edge of the throne platform, encouraging Byron to do the same. “I’ve been up there, you know.” He pointed at the ceiling.
“Flying over the castle? Did you hope to see your father when you did it?” Byron had wondered how long it would be before Ivak talked about the king they’d buried the evening before.
“Not flying as such, no.” Ivak chuckled and took Byron’s hand in his. “I used to scale the walls sometimes and climb over the roof. I would sit up in that corner,” he pointed to the far right corner closest to the roof edge, “watching the people in here all fawning over a man who couldn’t be bothered to give me the time of day. I recognized some of their faces today although of course, they wouldn’t recognize me.”
“Sounds like we need to talk to my cousins Rastin and Leonard about getting some better security in here.” Byron didn’t think much of what he’d seen of the security at the castle so far. “The fact that you could gain access to such a weak spot in the castle, giving you perfect access to shoot the king is disconcerting.”
“I love how you worry about me,” Ivak said fondly. “But no, the glass is magically enhanced. Completely bullet proof, fireproof and shatter proof and warded against other magical users. A dozen dragons could land on that roof and it wouldn’t break. Besides, our assassin isn’t waiting on the roof, he’d be far too cold for that. He hides in the shadows, don’t you little one?”
“There’s an assassin here?” Byron looked around quickly, searching every corner of the room. As he looked a silent figure stepped into the dim light. Byron didn’t recognize him, but it appeared Ivak did.
“My second cousin Bertrand’s son, I presume.” Ivak glanced in Byron’s direction. “Does that make him my nephew – the son of a second cousin? How does that work?”
“Once or twice removed I think, I’m not sure.” Byron shrugged the question off. “You knew he was in here?”
“I guessed he’d turn up eventually.” Ivak waved his free hand. “Come closer young one. I won’t bite, not yet. I want to know why your eyes challenged me when my Sentinel called for the challenges, but you didn’t follow it up.”
“Is it true you killed my father in cold blood?” Now he was closer, Byron could see the man was young – barely past his maturity date from the looks of his innocent face and eyes. “My grandfather said you killed him for no reason while he was caring for the king.”
“Ivak had plenty of reason,” Byron said heatedly. “Bertrand had me kidnapped and left me to die in a coffin; he tried to get Ivak charged with a false kill of an innocent man through the paranormal council and it was him who was responsible for administering the poison that killed the late king, his mistress, and the king’s other children. What would you suggest Ivak do for him – give him a fucking medal?”
“My mate, the consort, is a little overwrought this evening,” Ivak said calmly patting Byron’s hand. “Between the coronation, our new mating, and then finding out we’re about to become parents, it’s been a very long day. But yes, your father was responsible for doing all those things, and a lot of other things besides I imagine. Do you still believe it was an unfair kill on my behalf when I personally found him hovering over my dying father after he’d administered a second dose of the poison?”
“Oh, thank you.” The young man sank to the floor in a rather dramatic fashion that involved flying hair and flailing limbs that had to hurt when they hit the floor. “I had to make sure he was actually dead and not just rotting in the dungeons. You have no idea. The man was a monster his whole life, consumed with the idea of being king. The whole court knew of your existence, but that didn’t stop my father. The only reason he had me was so he could prove to the elders he already had a true dragon heir.” The man peered up from his bangs. “No disrespect intended, your majesties.”
“Why would either of us be disrespected by that?” Byron leaned over so he could see the young man more clearly. “What’s your name? I’m sorry, I’m sure I was told it when you swore fealty to the new king, but so did a thousand other people it seemed.”
“I’m Toby.
Well, not really. I was named Bertrand too, after my father, but I want to move away, go somewhere else and chose the name Tobias for myself. My friends call me Toby.” The smile Toby gave was so shy, clearly showing his youth and innocence.
“Toby, that’s nice.” Byron returned the smile. “You do know Ivak is a full ice dragon, don’t you?”
The confusion on Toby’s face was almost comical, the way he crossed his eyes and his eyebrows seemed to meet in the middle. “My father was killed by a wolf,” he whispered, looking around as if someone could hear him. “A huge monster of an animal with fur so white it blinds you and ginormous teeth.”
“I wouldn’t call Ivak’s wolf a monster,” Byron said as his mate shimmered and shifted into the aforesaid animal. The wolf immediately whined, resting his head on Byron’s lap wanting to be stroked – something that was becoming a habit. “As you can see, Toby, he’s beautiful in this form, and totally aware, just like our dragons are. But Ivak can also shift into his full dragon, don’t you see? Your new king isn’t a half-breed, he’s a twin spirit – he has two full animal spirits that reside in him.”
“Wow,” Toby was clearly taken with Ivak’s furry form. “He’s beautiful and that’s amazing. I didn’t know anyone could do that.”
“Your new king is very amazing in a number of ways.” Byron scratched behind Opekun’s ear. “But tell me more about you. Do you have a mother still living?”
“Barely. At least I think so.” Toby looked at the floor. “Grandfather has said now the king killed my father we don’t have anywhere to live anymore. He made mother leave our family house I thought belonged to my father, and then my grandfather wouldn’t even let her come here today even though she’d been invited. He only brought me along because he insisted I had to challenge the king. When I didn’t…” he glanced up and Byron was struck by the sadness in his eyes. “I don’t know what he’ll do to her or me now I’ve failed. I’m so scared. I was sent in here to kill you, but I just can’t do that. I don’t want to be king. I want to travel far away to somewhere like New York and make my own fortune and get away from all the backstabbing and hate that goes on here.”
