Chapter Seventy-Nine #2
Minea raises his head, increasing the sensation of fear pulsing through my veins as the giant being tilts his emerald head to the side before righting it. “The result of the Emperor’s death is not for us Dragons to reign.”
My pulse pounds with Minea’s voice booming in my skull while I study the tyrant’s reaction, though the message must have only been projected to my Guards and myself, as he merely seems impatient.
“The accords state that when he dies, his reign will pass down the line of succession like any other Emperor, with his title being afforded to an heir, or heir apparent.”
“But he doesn’t have an heir,” Varic whispers.
“He has not yet named his heir,” Sutrea projects.
My Guards and I stand frozen until Varic grips my hand harder. “So you are saying he has an heir; he simply has not named him.” Sutrea remains silent, which we all must take as confirmation, as Varic adds, “The fucking snatcher.”
“He’s been lying to us,” Cirrin says.
Fray shakes his head. “All these years.”
Lars cracks his knuckles in two tightly held fists. “He made us believe our survival depended on his protection.”
Malin stares at where our sniveling ruler remains on his knees. “Or else we’d all die under the reign of the Dragons.”
I swallow against the knot forming with the wish that Hendry were here to learn this.
What might he have done, should this correction have been made in front of him?
After years of holding back, when it was obvious he wanted to obliterate the Emperor every time he hurt me, yet he consistently suppressed his need due to the belief he was doing the best thing for every citizen.
“Meaning, we have a real chance at giving our citizens the right to a better life with this revelation,” I say under my breath as each of my Guards turns and considers me, no doubt recognizing my use of Hendry’s maxim.
“Your army failed to protect my mother’s blood-bonded sorcerer,” Minea accuses the Emperor, while his eyes meet mine at the mention of Hendry, though his gaze is knowing rather than sympathetic, and my chest constricts as I try to recall his choice of wording.
“You require the strongest force sorcerer to guard Imperial Grand Witch Tasch because the military, which you claim to be the most powerful, is obviously inept when it comes to preventing such virulent attacks.”
The Emperor’s throat bobs as he silently takes his chiding.
“You inappropriately focus on trivial matters,” Sutrea says. “Wasting your power to threaten the one sorcerer capable of protecting Ampara Deicra’s greatest asset.”
“Your leadership tactics confound us,” Lucrea admits.
“Explain what benefit your Empire derives by threatening Imperial Lead Guard Varic?” His deep ruby eyes study His Majesty, looming closer over the railing.
“And how exactly does his affection for Imperial Grand Witch Tasch endanger her?” Varic and I spare a quick glance at each other as our cheeks pinken.
“For we perceive their connection to be an asset, while in agreement her safety is paramount.”
My pulse pounds in my ears as it becomes apparent that every being in attendance has long recognized our connection.
“What impact would your citizens suffer were you to make the mistake of bringing harm to Imperial Lead Guard Varic?” Brea asks, and I shudder from her bone-rattling timbre.
“Did you think we would not learn of it?” Sutrea asks.
“Do you think we do not know what you attempted in Annovia?” Minea rejoins the conversation as His Majesty opens and promptly closes his mouth. “Do you think our blood-bonds are so weak we cannot sense when one of our own is in danger?”
“No, I do not perceive anything related to you or any of the Dragons to be weak, Your Magnificence,” Emperor Aldritch says, bowing his head.
“Good. Because we do not tend to concern ourselves with the matters of magical beings,” Minea huffs, sending ripples of his hot breath to ruffle the Emperor’s silver hair.
“However, the Elders will be convening to discuss the massive failure you have displayed in leadership today, and we will reconsider the level of involvement we have regarding decisions made for the good of the Empire. For you have proven it may be in everyone’s best interest for us Dragons to rule this land once again. ”
“Bloodshed. Singed earth. War.” Malin’s voice comes out distant, and I swivel to find his expression equally so. “The reign of the Dragons is not to be repeated. Another must take his place.”
“Are you having a vision?” I ask. “Or are the ancients speaking through you?”
Minea leans closer, forcing His Majesty to scramble backward in a mess of limbs and frenzied movements, attempting to avoid his nose meeting the snout of the emerald Dragon threatening his legacy, and possibly his life. My Guards and I move closer to my bedchamber to give the Emperor a wider berth.
“This next warning comes from me, alone,” Minea says. “Though every Dragon in Ampara Deicra will support my right to exact a consequence on you for daring to threaten my blood-bound sorcerer, twice.”
His Majesty bends into a deep bow before straightening to take his admonishment.
“I will offer you the same threat that you so often revel in giving others—should you so much as speak a word of harm to any of our blood-bound sorcerers, your life, Emperor, will be forfeit.” Minea huffs out a breath so powerful it knocks the Emperor on his back.
“Proceed with caution, for it would not be wise to test my resolve. Especially after wrongfully assuming you had the right to treat my bonded sorcerer with anything other than the respect he deserves. From now on you will speak to him with esteem, or suffer the consequence of my wrath.”
“You will do well to avoid Minea’s punishment,” Sutrea warns. “Though he may seem playful, you know what they say about those who surprise you when pushed past their limit.”
“And enough with this one hundred paces of distance,” Dranea drones at him. “You will allow Imperial Lead Guard Varic to stand where he belongs, by Imperial Grand Witch Tasch’s side, or you will answer to us.”
The Emperor’s nostrils flare as his Guards actively avoid looking at us as they parade back toward my chambers.
“Raki,” Emperor Aldritch commands, pausing just past the threshold. “You will remain with my little witch to ensure she obeys.”
Tears well in my eyes, and Varic siphons my fear as the tiny spy whips through the air, showing off as he curves in a wide arc before landing on the top of my head.
A shiver rolls down my body when its claws scrape over my scalp.
I swallow each of the sobs building in my throat, containing the terror this beast conjures as best I can after everything we’ve been made to endure at the Emperor’s hand.
The tyrant releases a breath as he retreats with his Guards through the arched glass doors of my bedchamber.
Fray storms forward, staring directly at Sutrea’s amethyst eyes as he nears where she remains hovering. “What in the mothersnatching fuck just happened?”
Sutrea lowers her head and regards her blood-bound sorcerer with an air of amusement. “The Emperor required a reminder of his place, as even those in the highest levels of command often require a reminder that they are not all-powerful.”
Fray crosses his arms and stares back at her. “Right, like you’re not all-powerful.”
“We do not require a reminder of our place within the hierarchy.” Sutrea chuffs, sending Fray’s black hair flying straight up before falling in a tangled mess over his forehead.
Boldness sparks in my veins, prompting me to release Varic’s hand and storm forward. Raki’s talons scrape my scalp the harder he clings on as I approach the emerald Dragon, only coming to stop when my forehead nearly butts up against the flat of his broad green snout.