9. Drakonis
9
DRAKONIS
“ T hat woman is foolish,” Drakonis sighed, leaning back in his chair, with long fingers covering her eyes. “I just told her to not be alone with Kazimir.”
“This would not have happened if you had listened to me.” Gavril said with a glare. The Empress, Yelena, smiled into her cup.
“Do you wish me to just be glued at her side?”
“I expect you to do your duty. You promised King Nordskov that you would protect her. You know the rules of etiquette here. Alastair can do nothing when it comes to Kazimir, and ultimately, neither can she.” Gavril said.
“Then she should have sent word that she wanted to leave the library,” Drakonis countered.
He had tried to get close to Clara, but she had pushed him away. It both irritated and amused him. Almost every moment of every day, he played the last interaction in his mind, wondering how he could have held her attention.
“How long has it been since you have checked on her?” Gavril pressed.
Drakonis’s hand moved down his face on his chin. “Forgive me for not knowing the exact time.”
Gavril dropped his teacup on the plate with a loud clink.
“Drakonis, darling, you must be more sensitive to a woman’s needs, especially when that woman could be a tremendous asset to your journey,” Yelena said.
“Mother, I do not need a woman to be emperor.”
“I’m going to have you swinging a sword until your arms fall off at the training grounds. Drakonis, she is here to determine who the Heir of Phaedrus is. A destiny that could change your entire life.”
Drakonis fought a groan. Training with Gavril was the most intense things in his life. He would rather go to war. “Who knows if that Heir really exists. Until we get proof, I will get the title of emperor on my merit.” He paused. “And I did as you asked. I visited with her, chatted with her with all the charm in my body, and I even saved her from a fall.”
“Goodness! Where did she almost fall from?” Yelena asked.
“She was trying to get a book on one of the higher shelves. I must meet with someone to have a custom ladder made for her.” He did not want to go visit her only to see her dead or unconscious.
“She has been a brilliant study; anatomy, alchemy, history, and astrology. By the gods, if I would have gotten you or Kazimir to study like she then I may have two very different princes.”
“She was studying mates during my visit.” Both Gavril and Yelena paused, looking at each other briefly. “She was asking me about the signs and how it could change us. Asked questions if a dragon could be a mate to someone outside their race,” Drakonis said.
“Did she say why she was interested in such a subject?” Yelena asked. Her teacup was down, and she re-adjusted her position in her chair, her clawed finger running up and down on the teacup’s handle.
“She said that she was curious.”
“It’s very appropriate I suppose. Her sister has recently found her bound one. She must wonder if the process is the same with dragons as gargoyles,” Yelena said. Her smile was small as she tilted her head. “How do you feel about her dear?”
“I do not know how to answer such a question,” Drakonis said. “She is flattering and eloquent. I once thought her plain but can see how she could attract a man.” Drakonis squeezed his fist. Clara seemed to become more beautiful every time he saw her. As if a light were surrounding her. His dragon would push intimate images to him. It did not help that the spots on his body that she touched warmed whenever he thought of her. That even in his dreams he did not escape her. “She does not seem fond of me though. She brushes me off at every opportunity.”
Drakonis gaped at his mother and Gavril as they laughed together.
“She does not laugh behind fans and excessively compliment you?” Yelena said. She turned towards Gavril, dropping a handkerchief. “Oh, my apologies my lord. I am so clumsy,” she said with a lilt in her voice.
“Please do not bother, my lady, for your delicate hands cannot touch something so dirty. Please let me fetch you a kerchief of the finest silk.” Facetiously, Gavril took his mother's hand making a scene of kissing the back of it.
Drakonis rolled his eyes, crossing his arms. Their actions were over the top, but close to what his day to day was in court. “I do not believe Clara would even notice if she dropped anything. I have never seen a woman so absorbed in reading scrolls.”
Yelena and Gavril lowered their hands. Drakonis did not miss how Gavril never released her.
Clara’s question gave him pause. What if someone’s mate was already married? There were laws but…what if the stances in society were different? His mother had a special sparkle in her eye when she looked at Gavril. At even a whisper of a desire, Gavril was doing anything for Yelena. Mates were bound in body and soul. What he knew, was that if a dragon lost a mate, then they lost all meaning in life. Many, if they did not have other things to focus on, took their own lives.
“You are frustrated because she is different, boy,” Gavril said. “Be patient with her if you wish to woo her. She probably sees you to be disingenuous. You two just need to find common ground.”
“Were you not the one who said to avoid taking her to my bed?”
“The lady oracle has qualities that will help you grow. If you successfully woo her, you deserve any reward.”
“And what qualities are those?” Drakonis asked.
Gavril coughed, turning his head and grunting. A servant approached the table and refilled Drakonis’s teacup. Yelena waved the servant away.
“Have I ever made anything easy for you Drakonis?” Gavril asked.
Drakonis arched a brow. At first Gavril was just as suspicious as he. Then after spending days with her in the library, she was like a daughter to him.
Alastair had seemed to gain her trust quickly as well. What was he doing that was so different? From her own admission, Ragnar had told her to only trust him. And she had discarded all of that to trust those closest to him.
The more frustrating question was why did he care? And why was most of the day and night dedicated to figuring out her appeal?
“Drakonis, I know it seems frustrating, but you must stay vigilant. If she rebuffs you just ask another question or compliment, or gift her something. Listen to what she says, but also be aware of what she doesn’t say,” Yelena said.
“I may have something that could help you.” Gavril looked at Yelena. “The lady asked for access to our ancestry. While I have provided her with some text, I think she would benefit from accessing the emperor’s private library.”
Yelena raised her brow. “A woman cannot brave such a dusty old room by herself. Drakonis you must be the one to fulfill her request.”
It is a great opportunity. Drakonis’s dragon rumbled.
Clara would have to listen to him while he translated and answered her questions. Mayhap, he could use this time to figure out this weird feeling.
“Do you see how easy it was for me to find something that could mutually interest you? You used to love going in there as a boy,” Gavril said.
“Of course I did. You used to tell me all those stories of warriors. I would think you would want me to do so,” Drakonis answered.
“I told the same… cough … stories to Kazimir, and he did not take the same initiative. There are plenty of things that are there that could satisfy her curiosity about our kind, and maybe a little more.”
“It could also be something only you can do,” Yelena pushed.
It is something only we can do. his dragon added.
“You always seem to wake up when she is brought up.” Drakonis thought.
I am curious about the lady as well. Maybe this time I can guide you.
“I do not need your help,” Drakonis argued mentally.
“I will talk to your father,” Yelena added.
Drakonis lifted his teacup with a furrow in his brow. It did not touch his lips.
“Gavril?”
Gavril’s face was turning purple, particularly around his nose. His red scales raised, the sharp points sticking out like a porcupine. His coughs became violent. He released his mother’s hand and grasped the table as he stood. Drakonis jumped up catching him around the torso as he almost fell.
“P-poison,” he rasped.
“Mother! Stop drinking the tea!” Drakonis kicked the table, knocking over all the glassware. His boot broke glass shards as he moved to hold Gavril steady. “Get a healer!” Drakonis yelled.
Yelena was at Gavril’s other side. Her lips grazed his cheek. Tears fell down her cheeks as she whispered in his ear. Servants entered the chaos. It took three of the men, plus Drakonis, to move Gavril. His legs became weaker with distance.
“Stay with me Gavril,” Drakonis gasped.
In all his years, he had never seen Gavril fall to anything. When he thought of strength, there was only one person he thought of, and it was the man in his arms. He prayed to every god that would listen to help Gavril fight this poison. For without him, not only the royal family, but his people would have an uncertain future.
He is becoming weaker. his dragon whispered. Drakonis didn’t answer. Words would not leave his lips. Gavril had gotten worse and no matter how many antidotes he took, or the amount of bleeding the healers did, he didn’t improve. His pain had stopped, but his face was becoming more gaunt and ghostly. His crimson scales flickered, and he could see, with the rise of his chest, that he had labored breathing. You will be the symbol of strength for all the troops once he travels to the Underworld.
“He will make it through,” Drakonis thought back.
An emperor must always be prepared for the worst.
Drakonis clutched his fist, his nails digging into his skin. His mother was a mess and refused to leave Gavril’s side, sleeping only when Gavril had become stable. Holding his hand with a tear-stained face.
The double doors creaked open. Kazimir walked in with a neutral expression. But that seemed to morph into disgust the closer he got to the bed.
“Does mother have no decorum? What will the servants say when they see her acting such a way, especially to one with common blood.”
“What do you want Kazimir?” Drakonis asked. “And your next words will determine if I throw you out or you leave with your limbs intact.”
“I heard our dear mentor got sick. I had to come to pay my respects.” He crossed his arms and leaned his hip to the side. “I’ve never seen him so weak. It’s refreshing to know that he isn’t indestructible.”
“I will find the one responsible for this.” Drakonis’s eyes glowed as cold as ice. “And if I find out that you are the one responsible, you will pray for death.”
“I do not appreciate being accused without proof. And…” Kazimir looked back, his purple eyes glowing just as bright. “When I do things, I never leave behind evidence.”
Drakonis’s claws flexed, itching to hold his sword. “Why would even think to harm Gavril? He has been there for us more than our father.”
Kazimir’s smile disappeared. His eyes narrowed.
“Someone like you would say that. After all you were always his favorite. His chosen one. It is disgusting how you seek his approval over father’s.”
“I seek nothing. I let my actions speak for myself.”
“Had you not been a prince, sponsored by the Red Dragon of War, no one would notice your actions,” Kazimir said.
A nickname that Gavril had rightfully earned. He was the only one who had rose through the ranks based on his genius in war. His father had lost track of the number of times Gavril had defended him on the battlefield. Whenever Gavril went to war, he would massacre anyone in the name of Aslanov. Enemies shook at the mere mention of Gavril.
“Father trusts Gavril more than any in Ouroboros. And I could say as much for you. Do you think those nobles that worship you do so because of your genius? They only do so because you are much easier to manipulate. They use you for your rank.”
Kazimir smirked. “A true ruler is strategic in the way he plays the game. I would just as soon slice any of them in the belly before I let them get their way.” Gavril coughed, disrupting the argument. His eyes remained closed, and his breathing became normal again. “Now that I know his state I will be leaving. I will tell father to consider a new Chancellor.”
“He will pull through this,” Drakonis declared.
“You’re a fool.” Kazimir laughed. “Oh! And before I go, I heard the most interesting rumor. The day our mentor had tea with Lady Clara she had some kind of reaction. She had even told Gavril to be cautious with what he consumed.” Drakonis’s heart stopped. Clara knew that this would happen?
Kazimir waved his hand as he exited the room.
If Clara had known, why had she not told someone? He was just with her in the library. Instead of talking about mates she couldn’t warn him that something was going to happen to a man that was like a second father.
“You cannot fall… to his word…games.”
“Gavril!” Drakonis jumped and moved next to his mother. Gavril hushed him.
“Do not…wake…your mother.”
“We know Kazimir did this. I will get revenge for both of us,” Drakonis declared.
“Revenge does you no good. You must focus on becoming…crown prince.” Drakonis bit the inside of his mouth. Even now, when he was close to dying, he worried more about his future. “Do not… let Kazimir make you…doubt the… lady. She is…essential.”
“I don’t understand Gavril. Was what Kazimir said true? Did Clara see this would happen?”
Gavril broken sigh confirmed it. “The Fates do not give a gift without restriction. She tried to tell me in the only way she could.”
Drakonis felt a plethora of emotions. Confusion. Anger. Betrayal.
Why do I feel this way?
“You must…not let Kazimir win,” Gavril said. “And…remember… it doesn’t matter where I go. I will always…guide you.”
Drakonis fought tears. He had been near death, seen the worst in war, and nothing ever brought him to tears. But this? Gavril not being present was unfathomable. His greatest pillar of support was crumbling in front of his eyes.
If only Clara had given him hints. How could he protect someone that did not help him when he most needed it?
“I will continue to guard her.” His emotional state would only allow what his duty demands.
You are taking your anger out on the wrong person. His dragon chastised. Gavril has taught you what I could not. You will continue what you are destined to do.
“Is there anything you wish?” Drakonis needed a distraction. If he could just go distract his mind, maybe his anger would ebb away.
“Bring…the lady.”
“You ask for the woman who saw all of this and did nothing?”
Gavril narrowed his eyes. “I may... not move physically. But…boy I will spit a fireball.”
Illness did not make Gavril less severe. It was a trait that he feared as a child but admired as a man. Drakonis had known Gavril since the time he took his first breath, yet he wanted to see a woman he had known for days? A woman that he had warn Drakonis about? What was so special about her? Why did he want to spend his, very possible, final moments with her instead of him?
Drakonis felt helpless. He couldn’t stop this poison and, even if he found an antidote, it would be too late.
Tears of frustration threatened to leave his eyes. Was he so selfish to want this man, who was like another father to him, to just be with him during this time? He. Not an outsider. He grit his teeth.
“I will tell Alastair to fetch her.” Drakonis turned his back to pass the word. No matter what Gavril, or his dragon said, right now he had to figure out how he would face the woman who could have stopped all of this with a word.