Rylan smirked. “Sera already asked me last night.”
The grin on Kael’s face fell. He stared at Rylan with comedic betrayal, then switched his gaze between us.
“He’s right,” I said. “Rylan promised me last night.”
“Now that’s…” Kael growled. “Rylan, you sneaky little—”
Rylan raised a hand to Kael’s face, silencing him. “Sera, we have to leave in ten minutes. Can you get ready by then?”
I got out of the bed, despite my reluctance. My mattress was far too comfortable. “I can, but first, these two will have to give me some privacy.”
Rylan raised a brow. “You heard her.”
“This isn’t the end of it,” Kael said. “Micah, you and I are still even. You’re going to wear that hat.”
“Seems like Rylan’s got the upper hand,” Micah replied.
I padded over to the restroom. My hair was likely a mess. Why did they have to barge in like that? Now the princes knew what I wreck I was in the morning. I strode toward the basin, feeling the three princes’ gazes upon me. It made my nerves tingle. I turned the tap on. Taps were only a luxury in Raynea. If only Aere Grove had proper drainage, then I wouldn’t have been lugging shit all around my entire teenage years. The technology was new and hadn’t spread to the outer regions.
“I’m not in your silly bet,” I heard Rylan say over the running water. “Sera, I’ll wait for you at the entrance,” he shouted.
“Thank you,” I said back loudly, wiping my face with a towel.
My hair was damp by the time I finished taking a quick bath. I thought I’d left my rouge and powder back in the council’s dormitory, but I found it on the countertop, ready for me to use. The maids had brought them over. I cared for my studies, but I also had to maintain looking pretty—looks were important when trying to make proper impressions.
I wound my way down the steps, walking past Kael and Micah as I did. Gaius’s room was empty when I strolled past it. His bed was already neatly made.
Rylan, as promised, was waiting at the entrance. He had his sword at his side, and today had tied his hair up into a bundle. His usual braid still hung at the side of his face. My memory from last night came back to me in a sudden rush. It wasn’t until his eyes met mine that I realized he was staring.
“I’m sorry about my two brothers,” Rylan said, taking my satchel from me. “Four dragon men in the same building often lead to some theatrics.”
“It’s all right.” I didn’t mind it… having two handsome bachelors fight over me wasn’t the worst thing that could happen.
I enjoyed it, even.
I just hoped their interference wouldn’t lead to any more problems with the council vote. Part of me didn’t want to show up to work, because I knew a torrent of gossip was about to hit me.
“Ready?” Rylan asked.
I hadn’t responded, but he picked me up anyway. I hugged my gloved hands to my chest as he lifted me into his arms. I’d almost forgotten to wear my gloves today. Being around the princes made me forget about my curse, and this newfound freedom allowed me to be sloppy about safety.
If yesterday’s session in the bedroom affected Rylan, he didn’t show it. I let the side of my cheek graze his chest, because the warmth that it caused made my heart tingle with excitement. Rylan’s scent was smoky, like ash and fire, and like his brothers’, it was intoxicating.
“About the bet,” Rylan said. “I was thinking of joining in with my brothers.”
My mouth gaped open. I turned up to look at him. “You’re what?”
A chuckle shook from him. It was the first time I’d heard him laugh, and the sound was as melodic as the winds. “I’m kidding. I wanted to see how you would react.”
It took me a moment to recover from the shock. I let out nervous laughter. “Oh, good. That’d be trouble.” Was it wrong to want him to join? It would have been interesting to see how Rylan managed it. Then again, that was simply part of my greed. I always had to have it all, and I could never settle.
“I’ll drop you off a ways from the headquarters, so we won’t make a scene,” Rylan said. The sound of his wings beating against the air surrounded me. “I apologize for all this trouble. I know I said I wouldn’t try and skew the votes, but my presence next to you is already doing that. I’ll put in a good word with Tindyll, to assure her that there’s nothing personal going on between us, and that we’re only spending time with you due to concerns relating to the nation.”
I nodded. “That’s a relief.” Was it? Because when he said he had nothing personal with me, disappointment shot through my chest.
But I knew what I wanted, and being another plaything for the princes would destroy that.
A few drerkyn passersby stared at us as Rylan carried me through the skies. He set me down next to the library, which was usually less crowded during this time of day. It was broad daylight, so we couldn’t help but be spotted. The rumors were going to flare all around. I couldn’t wait for that.
Rylan stepped back. “We’re going to the nursery today, and you’ll have to come along.”
“I have a pile of work…” I had a lot left over from the day before. Going through Rylan’s letters had sidetracked me, and after what he’d done, I couldn’t concentrate.
“We’ll help you with it. I should return the favor.”
He didn’t have to. I replied, “You’re a prince. It’s your right to be ordering people around to do things for you.”
A smile brushed the side of his lips. “I try to be grateful. So, you’ll have to be at the plant nursery. We’re going to test out more magic. See how you relate and respond to it, and if it might have anything to do with Anatolia’s vision. We’ll be looking into plants and how we might be able to solve the famine problem with the magical arts, as well.”
“You want me to use soul magic?” I asked. “But the ban…”
“My father is going to lift it by next week. We can start early.”
Hesitance gripped me. Soul magic had been banned by the first queen because of its tendency to go awry with greed. Harvesting animals and plants for magic often didn’t do much harm, but harvesting from sentient souls, beings capable of higher thought, namely dragons and humans, allowed unimaginable power. That form of soul magic was called black magic, and it was said to corrupt the minds of those who wielded it.
For someone like me, that temptation was perhaps too great.
“I’m not sure if I should be using it,” I said.
“Everyone in both councils should give it a test. To solve the problem, we need every man we can get. Considering how bad dragon-kind is with magic, there won’t be many who can help.”
“All right…”
He could clearly sense my worry. “It’ll be fine. We brothers will be there to help you.”
“All of you can use it?”
He nodded.
“But dragon-kind aren’t supposed to be good at it. Hidraes especially.” Witches, or so history stated, were more common amongst humans, but humans had been left behind during the Great Separation and didn’t exist in our realm.
I was an exception, of course.
Rylan shrugged and ran a hand through his hair. “We’ve always been able to harness it well. Since birth. I don’t know why exactly.”
A bell sounded in the distance, indicating the workday had commenced.
“You’re going to be late,” Rylan said, glancing over my shoulder.
I turned around, seeing robed figures walking toward the council headquarters. I had to report soon. “I should go.”
“I’ll pick you up later.” I wasn’t sure if he knew what he was doing, but he reached up and tucked a loose strand of my hair behind my ear. His eyes seemed to linger in a daze.
I couldn’t stop staring at his lips. I wanted them.
His touch disappeared as soon as it came, and he spun around, leaving.
“All right,” I said, taking another sheet of paper out of my file. “Let’s see
what’s next on the list.”
My subordinates were sitting along a table, some watching me, others scribbling things into their notes. Frederick sat right next to me, munching on some corn. Food wasn’t actually allowed in the council headquarters, but Tindyll had scolded Frederick so many times that she’d tired. He always tried to sneak some in.
The paper crinkled in my hands. “And this drip irrigation technique isn’t showing good results?”
One of my peers, Gwen, stopped writing and looked up at me. “No. We’ve tried many methods, but the fields simply aren’t reacting. The last two months haven’t provided any improvements to the rate of growth.”
“What about the findings from Jura region?” I asked.
“The drerkyn sent there have returned,” Frederick said between his bites. “We’ve gone through the soil tests and looked at some seedlings from there. By right, everything should be fine. Some hot-weather plants should have withstood the high summer, even though it lasted an extra week, but the plants are dying off anyway.”
“I’ll have to report this to Tindyll,” I said. “The king’s going to lift the ban next week. Perhaps magic could help.” I could see both hesitance and excitement in the expressions of my peers when I mentioned soul magic. Everyone was curious about how it could change their lives and research.
“I suppose that’s all for today,” I said to my team, arranging my stack of papers by knocking its edge on the wooden table. “You all can go back to work now. I want those reports back to me by the morrow.”
Frederick stayed as the others left. He finished up his corn and tucked its leftover core into his paper bag. His mind flitted off work in an instant, and he glanced at me, a million questions flickering through his face.
He started with the most obvious one: “What are they like?”
“The princes?” I asked, because who else could he have been talking about?
“Spill. Everything. You were summoned into their quarters. They must have secrets in there. A secret torture chamber? Or a secret chamber for ‘torture’?” He waggled his eyebrows.
“Ew. No. Nothing of the sort.”
“What did they do to you?”
“Nothing. I was shown my room, we had dinner, and…” I wasn’t sure whether to share my bit about Rylan. I’d been seeing people pointing at me and hearing whispered gossip right behind my back. Some of my peers, who had been open with me before, were hesitant when I approached them. My association with the princes alienated me, somehow. I hoped that word Rylan was going to have with Tindyll would make a difference.
“And?” Frederick asked, leaning closer.
“And nothing. I went to bed.”
Before Frederick could pry any more answers out of me, a loud cheering echoed through the headquarters. I walked over to the railing and looked down from the second floor. The people from Commerce were patting Mei on the back.
Frederick walked up to me and leaned on the railing as well. “What are they cheering about?”
I pursed my lips. “Not a clue.”
A scholar climbed up the stairs, which were next to us. I shot her a questioning glance, and she replied, “Mei’s managed to get a salary raise for the entire commerce department.”
I felt my eyes popping out of my sockets. “What?”
The scholar sniffed. “Mei’s adopted by the Gavril family. Their wealth rivals the royal family, even. It’s no surprise. She’s trying to win. Shame I’m not in her department.”
“That’s bribery,” Frederick said.
“There’s no rules against it,” I replied. “Most people just don’t have the means to pay off so many.”
“I’ll vote for you, Sera,” the scholar said. “Don’t worry.”
“Thank you.” I smiled at her.
The scholar smiled back, then went on her way.
I looked back down to the first floor. The scene had simmered down. “How much do you think she gave them?”
Frederick thumbed his chin. “Not enough to mean much. Most of these scholars are from noble families. Their pockets are probably filled too. It’s pocket change to them. It’s a false victory for Mei. I wouldn’t care too much about it.”
“Your pockets aren’t filled,” I said. “You’re a noble.”
“Nobles from commerce? Yeah, I think they have their fair share of money already. Then again, they tend to be greedy bastards, vying for the littlest bits of wealth.”
I wasn’t certain if Frederick was trying to console me or speaking the truth.
“If I keep this up with the princes,” I said, “she very well might win.”
“I’d take the princes over the council seat any day.” Frederick gazed off into nothing in particular with a dreamy look.
“You never wanted anything of the sort. A high council position would stress you out.”
Frederick raised a finger. “Ah, but being crown princess—” He paused mid-sentence, staring over my shoulder. What was it?
I cast my glance to where he was looking, and saw Kael strutting from the council’s balcony, his white, glistening wings still open and reflecting the shine of the sun from the windows.
What in Aereala’s name was he doing here? I enjoyed the eye candy, yes, but he was going to ruin everything!
I found myself in a state of seething and panicking as Kael ambled past the carpeted ground, wearing his signature smirk.
Frederick gaped at the prince. “You didn’t tell me he looked this gorgeous in person,” he said. He adjusted his hair and robes and stood taller.
“He’s not supposed to be here,” I muttered.
“Sera?” Kael said.
I had already turned my back to him. I was hoping he wouldn’t look for me, but Tindyll instead. Now all eyes were on us, and my chances at secretary were dwindling before me.
I pulled my nerves together and said to Kael, “You are here for a work-related matter, yes?” I made sure my voice projected loud and far, so everyone knew.
“That’s only part of the reason.” He leaned in so closely that now half the council would think we had something going on.
And we did. A stupid bet that Kael wouldn’t think twice about in a year.
Frederick cleared his throat. “Your Highness,” he said. “I must say, you have wonderful, magnificent hair. Do you use conditioner? Or are you just naturally this hand—”
I kicked Frederick’s ankle. Now wasn’t the time to flirt with one of the royals.
“Come on,” Kael said, spinning around. He expected me to follow him? Just like that?
I stood my ground.
“Are you coming or what?” he said when I didn’t show any signs of following him.
Frederick’s eyes widened, and I knew exactly what he was going to say next. “Don’t do it, Frederick—”
“You should go,” he said, grinning. “He’s kale-ing for you.”
I palmed my face. He just had to take the obvious route.
Kael frowned.
“Kaalee,” Frederick said when he didn’t get the laughter he wanted. “Like Kah-El?”
I was shaking my head into my hand.
It took a moment for Kael to get the joke, then a laugh broke out. He padded over to Frederick, chuckling.
For some reason, Kael’s laughter made me uneasy. Frederick sensed that same uneasiness. I could smell it wafting from him.
Kael hooked his arm around Frederick’s shoulders, bending his knees because Frederick was at least a head shorter than him. “Kael—kale. Very clever.”
“It’s funny, isn’t it?”
“Hilarious. Witty.”
Frederick wiped his brow. “Kale-ing, and calling. Because that sounds like your name, you know?”
“Yes, yes.” Kael tightened the grip he had around Frederick. “But did you just liken me to a vegetable? Making fun of my name?”
Frederick paled. “Uh… It was all in good fun, Your High—” Frederick yelped and darted away from Kael.
Kael wiped his hand
s together. “I like your humor.”
Did he? Because Frederick’s bum just got fried.
“Let’s go, Sera,” Kael said.
The shock and pain seeped from Frederick, and then he was rubbing his behind… and flashing Kael an expression that was too seductive for comfort. Frederick licked his lower lip before puckering his mouth.
Had he actually enjoyed what Kael just did to him?
Kael hadn’t noticed Frederick’s questionable reaction. Instead, the prince circled his hand around mine and tugged me toward the balcony.
With Kael turned away, Frederick mouthed to me, “He can ‘kale’ me anytime.”
I wasn’t how to reply to that, other than mouthing back, “You’re out of your mind.”
I let Kael pull me to the balcony. Then the white-haired prince gathered me in his arms and lifted me off into the air.
“Can you explain why you just made a huge scene?” I asked. “You didn’t have to barge in.”
Kael’s hold had tightened around my back and behind my knees. “But that’d be boring. Did you see how the scholars looked at you? They were flabbergasted.”
From this angle, I was staring up his jaw, which seemed too chiseled to be real. “Didn’t Rylan tell you anything about the council vote and how we had to be more inconspicuous about this?”
“He did.”
“And?”
“I don’t care.”
I thought I heard one of my nerves pop. “This might not mean much to you, but I’ve been working—”
“It doesn’t, and it doesn’t matter what you think. You want riches and power, right? I can give that to you. Give you a mansion and you’d never have to work a day in your life. And I’m only doing that because you’re my favorite toy.”
“Let me down,” I said, my blood boiling. “I don’t want that.” I hadn’t been certain at first, but now I knew it wasn’t just wealth I craved. I needed to get what I wanted on my own, because the rush and satisfaction from climbing up the ladder with my own efforts, my own abilities, was the best feeling in the world.
Bane of Dragons Page 10
