Chapter Six
I stiffened. “Who does? The ministers of war?”
He nodded. “Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because you were living with the dragons longer than we were and while we were mostly tied up with the Assembly, you were living among them.” Aster led me over to the sofa and pulled me down next to him.
Whist and Sky went to put everything Whist’s mother gave us away while Saber and Bastian joined us in the chairs across from the sofa.
“Why don’t they ask to talk to the actual dragons?” I pointed at Bastian.
Aster rolled his eyes. “Because my father has convinced them they’d lie.”
But I wouldn’t? “Which is what you need me to do, correct?”
“Correct.”
“All right. What’s the story?”
“Mostly the truth. Just nothing about them allowing their people to choose their kindreds, nothing about the squads patrolling the lands and executing anyone suspected of espionage. Nothing specific about the Assembly, just that it’s the group of rulers over the dragons. And nothing about how they actually live inside the mountain or where it’s located.”
I shrugged. “All right. Sounds pretty simple. Besides, I can play the injured and knocked out and starved part up and say I was unconscious mostly for days and then you guys arrived and took over all the political stuff.”
Aster nodded. “That should work.”
“When do they want to meet with me?” I asked.
“Now. Indigo is still with them.”
I sighed, but nodded. “All right. I should probably change into something more appropriate though.”
Aster grimaced. “Yes. I’m sorry for all the trouble.”
I squeezed his thigh. “What did I tell you last night? I’m not sorry for any of it. None of this is your fault.”
Aster leaned in to plant a gentle kiss on my lips. “Thank you.”
I hurried into Saber’s paint-splattered room and dug in his closet until I found one of Indigo’s old dresses that was fit for a prince’s kindred. I snorted at the sight of the green and gold dress hanging in there. One of the guys must have unpacked for me.
Certainly wasn’t going to wear that.
Dressed, I returned to the main room. “I’m ready.”
Five sets of eyes looked me up and down and five heads nodded in approval.
I rolled my eyes with a huff. “It’s just a dress.”
“A tight one,” Whist said in a low, husky voice.
I fiddled with the sleeves. “Indigo is a bit smaller than me.”
“It wasn’t a complaint, doll. We like it.” He jerked his thumb towards Bastian. “Even this asshole though he’ll never admit it.”
Bastian scowled at Sky, but didn’t deny it. I tried to ignore the hope it sparked inside me.
“Play nice. We’ll be back soon.” I hoped.
They watched with worried eyes as Aster and I left. I doubted anyone would try anything with the prince at my side. I also suspected they’d wait until our guard was down before attempting anything again.
Aster drew my arm through his as we strolled through the halls. He leaned over to whisper an explanation in my ear. “I want the people to see I treasure you and am happy with whom fate brought me so when my father tries anything against you, they may come to your aid.”
I wasn’t sure how many people would actually be willing to stand up to the king, but I knew how important the political game was, as much as it chafed.
We reached a door down the hall from the throne room. Inside there sat a long table surrounded by chairs. It reminded me a little of the round table of the Dragon Assembly, but here there was a clear head of the table. And right now, an older man sat at the head. Indigo should have been sitting there, but instead she sat on the side next to two empty seats clearly waiting for Aster and I.
She shot me a reassuring smile as I sat in the chair Aster pulled out for me. I clasped my trembling hands together in my lap and tried to return the smile.
The man at the head of the table speared me with cold eyes. “Thank you for agreeing to meet with us. I’m the chief minister of defense, Tagen.”
“Of course. I’m willing to help in any way I can.”
“Good to know. Why don’t you start by telling us everything you can remember about the dragons and their lands.”