Chapter Six
A circle of male andfemale dragons sat at a round table in the center of the room. It was nothing like I expected after being brought before the royals of Faligrey. I expected a spectacle like the king preferred. This was more like a simple meeting.
One of the women pointed to the two empty chairs. “Have a seat.”
I perched on the edge of the one on the left, refusing to get too comfortable, to trust their welcoming smiles.
“My name is Cala. Why don’t you tell us your story? How did you come to be in our lands?”
I gathered by thoughts before speaking, choosing my words with care. “I’m a traveling bard and have been for years. The king of Faligrey didn’t care for the message in my songs, so he sent soldiers to silence me. I was able to escape from them and had no idea where I was running to. I’d be more than happy to return to Faligrey and get out of your hair.”
Cala frowned. “Why would you want to return? According to you, the king wants you dead. Your gifts are not appreciated. And you’ve found your kindred here.” She gestured to Bastian.
News traveled fast here.
One of the men leaned forward in his seat to peer at me. “Dragons love music. You could make an excellent life for yourself here, teaching music to those who wish to learn.”
“I have a life and people who will worry for me back in Faligrey. And I refuse to be run off by a tyrant king.” I crossed my arms over my chest.
Cala rubbed her bottom lip. “I thought you had freedom of expression on your country.”
I bit back a snort. “So did I. Instead, we wait for the king to pass and Princess Indigo to replace him.”
“And you believe she will be better?” Cala asked.
“I do.” Even if I hadn’t met and gotten to know Indigo, I’d believe that. Anyone would be better than him. An old shriveled potato would be better than him.
“I’m afraid we can’t allow you to return based on your word alone. Not yet. We are meeting with the Princess you approve of. Will she be able to confirm your story?” Cala asked.
“Yes, I believe so.” She could, but she could also tell them too much.
Cala nodded. “Excellent. For now, get to know your kindred and see if the two of you would make an acceptable match.”
“You have a choice here?” Relief trickled through me, relieving the tension in my spine.
Everyone around the table frowned.
Cala tapped her chin. “Of course. Kindred souls aren’t always a good fit. I have heard Faligrey forces the matches.”
“They do.”
A smile trembled at the corner of Cala’s lips. “I take your tone to mean you disagree with that law.”
I sucked my front tooth before I replied. “I do. My parents were not kindreds.”
Everyone gasped.
“Interesting. And do you have kindreds of your own?”
I hesitated, unsure how I should answer. If they were forcing me to stay until Indigo arrived, it was better to be honest.
“Yes. I have four.” I scowled over at Bastian. “I guess five, now.”
Cala’s brows rose. “The hand of fate is heavy upon you to have been blessed with so many.”
“Did you accept those four of your free will or were you forced?” Bastian’s voice came out in a growl. He’d remained quiet during the inquisition until now.
I raised my chin. “I will never be forced to accept a kindred. And none of them tried to force me. I accepted them freely and need to return to them.”
His hands curled into fists on the table. “Why did they not protect you from the king’s men?”
“We weren’t together when it happened. It’s not their fault.” Though each one would blame himself. “It isn’t their job to protect me. I protect myself.”
Cala gave me a considering look. “Which you clearly have a gift for. Perhaps there’s some dragon in your bloodlines.”
“Perhaps.” I knew little about my family past my parents. It was possible.
“We will discuss your situation more before the Princess of Faligrey arrives. For now, rest and recover from your trials. We will call for you if we have further questions. You can stay with Bastian for now. Maybe you’ll decide you enjoy it here and if your story is true, you could bring your other kindreds here and start fresh in a free land.”
“I’ll consider it.” I wouldn’t, but telling them that didn’t seem like a smart move. I wasn’t sure why they were so interested in me staying here and becoming one of them. They clearly didn’t trust me. Not completely. Were they trying to manipulate me, make me comfortable into giving up my secrets?
It’d be better if I got out of there before Indigo arrived and they found out everything. I hadn’t exactly lied, but I hadn’t told the whole story either. I had no interest in discovering their reaction when they realized the prince of Faligrey was one of my kindreds.
For the time being, I needed to play along, get them to trust me. And then I’d find a way to get the hell out of there and reunite with my assassins and prince.
Bastian pulled out my chair and escorted me from the room back to the stairs. The ridiculous amount of steps alone was enough for me to never want to see this place again. Bastian remained silent and cold all the way back to his room, making my palms sweaty and knees shaky.
What was his problem? His country didn’t force kindreds to be together and I certainly wasn’t going to demand he join us. He was mysterious and hard to read, I couldn’t figure out what kind of man he was. He seemed stern and angry and way too serious, much worse than Whist. I ached for Sky, wishing he was there to lighten the mood and coax a laugh out of me and perhaps even Bastian.
I rubbed my chest with a grimace as we walked into his room.
“Are you in pain?” Bastian asked.
“I’m fine.”
“If you’re hurting, you need to tell me.”
“It’s just difficult being away from my kindreds.”
“Right.” He cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his neck. “Well, get some rest. I have to return to the Assembly. I’ll be back later.”
“All right.”
He paused at the door, spearing me with a suspicious stare. “And don’t try to leave. You won’t get far. Trust me.”
I stared after him with wide eyes as he strode from the room. Too bad he wasn’t an idiot. I kept hoping for a stupid kindred who would be easy to get away from, but so far they were all brilliant and gorgeous.
I took off the cloak and curled up in the center of the bed, finally releasing the tears I’d been holding in for days.