by Cara Wylde
Eric thought about it for a couple of long minutes. He didn’t have all the details, and he hated it, but what Viggo had told him so far sounded good. It seemed like there really was a chance for things to work out differently this time. They would have to go back and go through the advantages and disadvantages of a cure for the dragon venom later, but he knew Astrid and Finn were waiting for the conversation to be over so they could talk about clan business. They had probably heard this story, and analyzed everything with Viggo one too many times. There were other things which concerned them now.
“All right,” Eric said. “All right. Thank you, Viggo. I…” He hesitated. It had always been difficult for him to express his appreciation for what his Annarr did for him and the entire clan.
Viggo understood and waved his hand dismissively. He had never expected Eric to thank him or even acknowledge his efforts. That was never why he did everything he did.
Eric took a deep breath and insisted: “I really appreciate it…” He cleared his throat. “You’ll give me all the other details later.” He turned to Astrid and Finn. “Now, let’s hear it: how many of our dragons are still awake?”
Astrid smiled bitterly. “Oh, you’re not gonna like this.”
Eric waited, his patience wearing thin. He had never liked Astrid’s penchant for dramatic moments.
“It’s only the three of us,” said Astrid, motioning to Viggo and Finn. “It’s only been us for a long, long time. The archipelago is full of sleeping dragons.”
Eric closed his eyes for a moment and cursed under his breath. It was worse than he had expected.
***
The meeting lasted for another two hours, then Astrid and Finn called it a night. Viggo was tired too, but he agreed to stay when Eric asked him to pour whiskey for both of them and tell him the whole story, in detail this time. The Fyrstur had slept too long. It would be months until he’d feel the need to sleep again. On the one hand, he couldn’t wait to sneak in bed next to his young bride and watch her sleep, but on the other hand, there were things which needed his attention. Also, the clock on the wall couldn’t tick away the minutes and hours faster. Eric drummed his fingers on the edge of the desk as he listened to Viggo, then started pacing the room, then sat down again and drummed his fingers some more, driving the Annarr crazy with his restlessness. Eric couldn’t wait for morning to come so he could make the call.
The dawn did come, but then he had to wait for the proper time. He couldn’t possibly bother Arthur Harington at 7 AM. Viggo spent as much time as he could with Eric, but at some point he was too tired, and Eric was too distracted to be good company. The Annarr wished Eric luck and excused himself. He needed sleep if he was to be of any use to his Fyrstur in the next couple of days. It was enough that he hadn’t slept quite right lately, his thoughts too loud in his head, constantly screaming Delyse’s name and urging him to do something. But what? What could he do when she belonged to his Alpha, when he had bought her specifically for his Alpha? Viggo was more than tired. He was emotionally exhausted, and now that Eric was here, he knew things would get more complicated before they got simpler.
Eric waited for Viggo to close the door behind him, then threw another impatient glance at the clock. 7:15. He decided time would pass quicker if he went for a flight. He still needed to stretch his wings, and he was curious to see the rest of the archipelago. So, he finished his whiskey, left the glass on the desk, got rid of all his clothes, opened the window and jumped into the freezing air. As he shifted in the air, he stretched his long neck to the sky and released a thin stream of flames, then flew right through it. He couldn’t remember the last time he had felt so good. So alive. So free.
Svartvinge had changed a lot in the years he had been gone. The people dressed and behaved differently… The largest town on the island had wide streets, all filled with cars and bicycles. There were shops, supermarkets, and small businesses everywhere, and they were all marked with big, flashy signs. He knew the people who lived on Svartvinge were aware of the existence of the dragon clan, but he didn’t feel confident enough to fly too low. Some of them looked at the sky as he passed over the tall buildings, smiling and pointing at him as they did when they saw an airplane. If he came to think of it, their reaction was comforting. Seven hundred years ago, it would all have been entirely different. Even though shape-shifters had never quite lived in the shadows and humans had known about them since forever, it had still been difficult for them to live normal lives when they actually depended on the humans and their beautiful, fertile females. Viggo had told him about the war, how it started and how it ended, and Eric thought it had been a good thing, even though many people, humans and shifters alike, had died. His Annarr had also told him things were getting better and better every year. There were always bumps in the road, but the factions were learning to work together. Soon, there would be no rivalry left between them. A world where shape-shifters of different species and humans could live as brothers. “We’ve really come a long, long way,” Eric thought while leaving Svartvinge behind and heading to the nearby islands, which were smaller than the main one. He flew over three more, thinking of the dragons sleeping inside their glaciers, then returned to the palace. It was time to make that phone call.
He wasn’t sure how to introduce himself to Arthur Harington. “Hello, I’m your daughter’s husband.” Eric huffed and decided it sounded silly. “Hi! How are you? I’m your son-in-law.” He smiled and dialed the number Viggo had given him, Harington’s personal number, not the one which would direct him to his secretary. That introduction was worse than the first one. The Councilor picked up after the third ring.
“Arthur Harington here.”
“Eric Drekinn. I was wondering if I could have a moment of your time.”
Silence at the other end of the line. Eric could hear the man’s regular breathing, but he couldn’t know exactly what he felt. Confusion? Curiosity? What he did know for sure was that Harington knew who he was, so there was no need for Eric to go into detail.
“Mr. Drekinn, what a pleasure! How may I help you?”
Eric cocked an eyebrow. He was tempted to take the phone away from his ear and stare at it. He couldn’t believe that was the Councilor’s first question. He thought he would first want to know if his daughter was fine.
“Lily…” Eric heard the human Councilor take a sharp breath at the sound of her name. “She told me about your work,” he added, and he immediately heard Harington release the air slowly. What was going on? Had the Councilor been afraid that he had just called to tell him he didn’t want his daughter? What a silly idea…
“I’m sorry, I’m not following. My work? As in… my position in the Council?”
“No. Clan Drekinn appreciates everything you’re doing for the factions, and I truly admire your dedication to the peace treaty, but that’s not what I’m referring to. Your daughter told me about Harington Pharmaceuticals and the research you’ve been conducting in your facilities.”
“Oh.”
There was a long pause, and Eric gave the Councilor time to put his thoughts in order. From what Viggo had told him, Lily hadn’t specifically talked to her father about the plan. In fact, she hadn’t exactly been in touch with him much after he had donated her to the Alma Venus Boarding School. However, in a subtle manner, Viggo had suggested to the Councilor there might come a time when Eric Drekinn would call and ask for a favor. That was… if he accepted Lily Harington as his bride. Well, that time was now, and Eric hoped the Councilor was at least somewhat ready.
Arthur Harington was more than ready, though. Eric realized this when he heard the man draw a chair and sit comfortably in it before speaking.
“I see, Mr. Drekinn. I’m sure you know that part of my work is not very popular. I am willing to tell you anything you’d like to know, though. It’s the least I can do for my daughter. You’ll first have to give me your word this conversation will stay between us. We’re… how should I put it?” He hesitated for a second.
“We’re family now. We need to look after each other.”
Eric smiled. Yes, this was a man he could do business with. “Of course. I understand your position and situation, and I assure you I have your daughter’s best interests at heart. I want to be completely honest with you… Is it all right if I go ahead and just tell you why I called?” The Alpha dragon had never liked to waste time with pleasantries.
“I’m all ears.”
“The antidote for the dragon venom… it could change so many things in what my faction is concerned. In a good way.”
“Mhm.” The Councilor waited for Eric to finish. In truth, he already knew what his daughter’s husband wanted, but he had to be patient and figure out how much he knew about his research. And how badly he wanted the cure.
“It’s no secret that Clan Drekinn isn’t what it used to be, and the saddest thing is that it’s become more and more common for dragon-shifters belonging to various clans, powerful clans, around the world to fall into hibernation and abandon the life and wealth they had struggled to build over hundreds of years. We are a proud species, and we have our rules. Since the peace treaty was signed and your faction agreed to offer shifters human brides, things have started to work better for us. We’re not facing extinction anymore, and for that we are grateful. It is entirely thanks to your good will. However, our near immortality makes things… hard… exhausting…” His voice faded as he was trying to find even better words to describe that feeling of hollowness which weredragons had to endure year after year.
“Unbearable,” said Arthur Harington. “I understand, Mr. Drekinn. The time spent with a human bride is but an insignificant sliver in a dragon’s long life.”
“Yes.” Eric swallowed heavily, but tried to mask it by clearing his throat. It had always been uncomfortable for dragon-shifters to admit they had such a weakness. And it was the worst weakness of all: the women they loved, the mothers of their children.
“Turning them is illegal…”
“You know very well dragons have never endorsed turning humans into shifters. In our culture, it has always been… unacceptable.”
“Indeed.” Harington had to remember dragons were the most noble of the shifter species. “I apologize.” When Eric didn’t say anything, he continued: “An antidote which could, presumably, turn a human into a hybrid would be… the middle ground we all need. It would level things up.”
“I can’t speak for all the shifter factions, but I know such an antidote would benefit the dragons.”
Harington nodded even though he knew Eric couldn’t see him. He thought back to the unfortunate day when he had tried to convince the other councilors his research could be what they all needed. “Councilor Calder Grimmr was probably the only one who hesitated when everyone voted against my research,” he said, lost in thought.
“I see. Grimmr is one of the best Alphas I know, and a dear friend of mine. He’s also the only dragon I know who has never hibernated.”
“I… I did not know that detail about him,” murmured Harington. He had always liked the representative of the dragon faction, and now he liked him even more.
“So, Mr. Harington, what Lily told me about you… is it true? Have you really created a cure for the werewolf venom?”
“Yes, it’s true. The woman who took it is perfectly healthy, and so are her children.”
“What about the other types of venom?”
The Councilor sighed deeply. “We’re currently working on fox venom, but we have a long way to go.”
Eric rolled his eyes. “While I think that’s useful, and wish you the best of luck, I’m more interested in your progress with dragon venom. But you already know that.”
“Yes, of course.” There was a hint of a smile in the man’s voice. “The dragons are the most ancient species of shifters we know,” he explained. “Your DNA is very different from human DNA, and since the Council shut down my project, my scientists haven’t had a good chance to study your venom properly. The truth is, Mr. Drekinn, that we simply don’t have the resources.”
“My clan can provide as many samples as you need, I will also make some substantial donations…”
“No, Mr. Drekinn, it’s not only about that. As long as my hands are tied by the Council’s decision, I can’t do much for you. Yes, Harington Pharmaceuticals needs money, and your offer is very generous, but we also need people. Right now, my scientists are good, but they’re not the best. They are all people I trust, and I know they would never betray me, but in order for me to find the best out there, in order for me to convince some of the shifter scientists to join me, I need more than money. I need the Council’s approval. The fact that we found a cure to the wolf-shifter venom in these circumstances was a miracle. Now, we’re only playing with fox venom. We are far from making a breakthrough. And what you’re asking… a cure for the dragon venom… it’s way beyond my possibilities.”
Eric took a deep breath. He didn’t like where this was going.
“What do you suggest, Mr. Harington?”
The Councilor was silent for a long moment, but when his answer came, it was final: “I think it is time, Mr. Drekinn. It’s time for us, the ones who believe in this project, to make a stand and convince the Council this is the future. Avelyn Blackmane is the first hybrid Harington Pharmaceuticals has created. It’s been three years, and she is doing great. And did you know that there’s a born hybrid living in Alaska? Amelia Sylfur. Her mother was a fox-shifter, and her father was human. Rare… an extremely rare case…”
Eric was speechless. No, Viggo hadn’t told him anything about this Amelia Sylfur. The only born hybrid in the world, and his Annarr had failed to mention her? Odd.
“This is the perfect time, Mr. Drekinn. The stars are aligned, you see? Amelia Sylfur is the clear proof that hybrids are not against nature, that there is a way for our species to meet half way. And did you know that Amelia has taken the lead of Clan Sylfur when their Alpha became the Fox Councilor in the Council of the Six Factions? Blake Sylfur. Now, I can promise you she will be on our side if we bring the project back into discussion.”
“She?” Eric was confused for a second.
“Yes. Blake Sylfur is a woman. The first woman councilor, isn’t that amazing? Changes. Good changes are taking place. Great changes. And, if you talk to Calder Grimmr, I’m sure we’ll have his vote too. That’s two councilors who would support our cause. Then, there’s Max Blackmane, whose bride is a hybrid. If he and his brother, Karl, really try, they will convince Councilor Voinom to give us a chance. That’s three positive votes.”
“Then, we’re left with the Eagle Councilor and the Bear Councilor.”
“Yes. Christian Kwahu, our eagle representative, is a young, open-minded man. The real problem is going to be Zachary Willamar, our Bear Councilor. But, you do see the odds are on our side…”
“They are, indeed.” Even as he agreed with Harington, Eric wasn’t sure what he was proposing was a good idea. It was risky. Way too risky. Then again, all he wanted was to be with Lily for the rest of his life. How old was she? 21? If all went well, they could have 70 more years together, but he knew from experience that a dragon’s relationship with a human female could never last that long. The moment she started aging visibly, things always went downhill.
“Think about it, Mr. Drekinn.” The old man knew there was no need to push Eric to make a decision. On the contrary, it was better to throw his ideas out there and let his daughter do the rest. Her beauty, her personality, her very presence… Harington knew he had won. He just needed Eric to come to the same conclusion. “Take your time, then call me again. I’ll be waiting.”
Eric murmured a faint approval, then the line went dead. He placed his smartphone on the table and looked at the small device for a long while. His mind was going in circles. “Born hybrid… woman councilor… Willamar… Hmm…” He poked the smartphone. “How can this tiny toy do so many things?” Viggo had showed him how to use it the night before. The smartphone, th
e laptop, the tablet… The Internet. Eric rubbed his eyes. “Fuck. Too much to learn, too many things to do…” The worst part was that he could barely comprehend the easiest of notions and, for an Alpha, that was… unbelievably humiliating. Eric ran his hands through his long, black hair, banged his fists on the desk, then left the smartphone where it was and stormed out of his office.
***
Delyse had already had breakfast when Eric came back to their room. She was too sore to go downstairs, so a maid had brought her a tray full of delicious fried eggs with bacon, a huge glass of apple juice, and a slice of cheesecake. She had eaten every last bit, then decided against getting out of bed. All the muscles in her body were burning pleasantly after yesterday’s flight to the glacier and back, and that spot between her legs was still tingling with the memory of Eric’s skilled fingers, tongue, and cock. Her clit throbbed every time she thought about him, and something in her stomach fluttered and twisted, then sent a wave of indescribable satisfaction to her heart. In an attempt to focus on something other than her hot husband, Delyse grabbed her book and made herself comfortable against the fluffy pillows. Yes, this was a perfect day to read, dream, and sleep.
Her peaceful morning didn’t last long, though. She set her book down when Eric entered the room and let the door close behind him with a rather loud bang.
