Chapter 17 #2
Since Rylana hadn’t heard Sylin mention mate preferences before, she was almost surprised by the prompt answer. Maybe she’d only said it since Zilek seemed the opposite of that, and she wanted to deter him.
“Ah, I see.” Zilek nodded thoughtfully. “I’ll confess that I have been considering what goals I might pursue next.
In the aftermath of the war, in which we were all so very busy and constantly in danger, I’ve enjoyed relaxing and seeking pleasure and entertainment here in Tranquility.
But seeing my brother with his new mission does make me feel…
” He waved a vague hand. “Oh, I don’t know.
In the beginning, I thought his cooking adventure a quirky hobby he would soon abandon, but it seems to give him fulfillment.
As hard as that is to imagine. Cooking for lesser species.
Serving them, essentially. It is so undragonly. ”
“Bringing happiness to others is a noble pursuit,” Rylana said, irritated that he would dismiss Jildarin’s passion.
“I suppose if one keeps the lesser species happy, they’re less likely to rise up, band together, and hunt dragons.”
“Nobody who’s tasted Jildarin’s bacon or smoked eels will ever seek to slay him,” Rylana said.
Sylin put away her knife. “It’s true. After eating his food, even I experience feelings of warmth for him.”
“Really?” Zilek asked. “How fascinating.”
“Lesser species enjoy well-prepared food a great deal,” Rylana said.
“Well, that is not a pursuit that has interested me, but you are not the only one who’s implied that a male dragon in the prime of his life should perhaps do more than seek leisure. My aunt called me feckless, if you can imagine.”
“Puzzling,” Rylana said, relieved that the carriage was rolling through Boxwood Park outside the enclave. They would arrive soon.
Zilek smiled wryly at her. “As I recall, she delivered that particular insult when I refused to slay you.”
“That you endured such vitriol to spare my life honors me,” Rylana said.
“I believe you are being sarcastic.” Zilek looked to Sylin. For verification?
Sylin nodded.
“Jildarin would kick your ass if you tried to kill me,” Rylana said, though the words sounded a little presumptuous after they came out, especially since she was in Zilek’s carriage and many miles from Jildarin and the diner.
Even though he appeared casual, with his arms spread on the backrest, he did emanate the power of a dragon.
If he lost his temper, he could grow quite dangerous quite quickly.
But Zilek didn’t appear offended by her statement.
“He bought you extravagant nesting furniture, and I have no doubt that he intends to join you in making use of it soon. Much more than my ass would be in danger if I harmed you. I believe if I even touched you, he might tear my head off my neck and toss it into the nearest active volcano. You are safe in my presence, crabby aunts regardless.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” Rylana said.
“With no wars currently threatening dragonkind, I can’t seek to establish myself in battle at this time.
Though I’ve noted with bemusement that the joint kingdoms are squabbling among each other in the South, doubtless because the lack of a common enemy has reminded them that they don’t like each other much.
” Zilek flicked a dismissive hand and gazed out the window.
“No hobbies call to me the way cooking does to my brother. I have been increasingly irked of late that so many female dragons are seeking him out. We are from the same clutch and nearly identical. Yes, he slew more enemies and won a few larger battles during the war, but I also distinguished myself. I slew more enemies than many other dragons.” Jaw tightening, Zilek’s gaze turned into a scowl as the carriage rolled toward the enclave’s arch.
Rylana didn’t say anything; Zilek sounded more like he was speaking to himself now.
“Is battle the only way a dragon distinguishes himself among his kind?” Sylin surprised her by asking.
“Battles and hunting. Some of my kin have gained notoriety by finding dangerous and rare magical prey and bringing back the meat for the clan to enjoy, especially females who are busy raising hatchlings. But everyone appreciates rare prey, which often tastes delicious. I do enjoy a good hunt.”
“You should leave promptly on one,” Sylin said.
“You say that because you seek to observe me distinguish myself?” Zilek asked. “Or because you want me to leave the city and not disturb you with more date requests?”
“I hear there are a lot of particularly rare and sumptuous prey in the Southern Hemisphere,” Sylin said. “Aren’t giant ice sloths and gleaming glacial mammoths only found at the South Pole?”
Zilek chuckled. “I believe this means you’d reject me if I asked if you wanted to come hunt such fare with me.”
“I would,” Sylin said.
“I’d allow you to ride on my back as I fly you across oceans and continents.”
“I’m not interested.”
“It’s pretty awe-inspiring,” Rylana admitted. “Riding on a dragon’s back.”
Sylin looked sourly at her.
“It is a great honor to those two-legs who are allowed to partake in flight with a dragon,” Zilek said to Sylin.
“She’s addicted to the coffee shop on Acorn Street,” Rylana said. “Otherwise, I’m sure she would enjoy going with you.”
Sylin slanted an even darker look at Rylana.
“Sorry,” Rylana mouthed. She hadn’t managed to keep from teasing Sylin for very long.
“Would you at least enjoy the meat of a gleaming glacial mammoth if I returned with a haunch?” Zilek sounded genuinely curious.
“If you let Jildarin cook it, maybe,” Sylin said. “I consumed raw haunches when I grew up with a wolf pack, but I prefer my meat to be at least seared with a few spices applied.”
“A wolf pack?” Zilek’s eyes crinkled at the corners. Had he not heard that part of Sylin’s background?
Rylana supposed Sylin hadn’t opened up to him much during their coffee date.
“You are an intriguing elf, aren’t you?” Zilek asked.
One of the guards at the arch knocked on the carriage, saving Sylin from answering—or drawing her knife again.
Rylana opened the door and recognized the dour-faced male elf as one who often occupied the arch position.
He hadn’t been one of the betrayers who’d attacked Sylin on the terrace the night of the queen’s visit, but thinking about that reminded Rylana that they might encounter such individuals in the enclave.
It hadn’t sounded like they’d been punished as thoroughly as she would have preferred.
“Is Plant Master Chalora here?” Rylana asked as the guard’s gaze swung toward Sylin. “We have a couple of questions for her about the garden design she installed at the Dragon Diner.” Well, tangentially anyway.
“If she didn’t request your presence, I can’t let you in to disturb her,” the elf said.
“Then she is here. Perfect.” Rylana nodded to Zilek, hoping he would instruct his driver to continue on despite the lack of an appointment. And that the elven guards wouldn’t presume to stop a dragon. “We only need a minute of her time.”
The elf opened his mouth, looking like he would object again.
“Let us through, guard,” Zilek commanded, the magic of his dragon power lacing his words. “We are all friends of the elves here. You’ve no reason to object to our presence.”
The guard licked his lips and glanced at Sylin.
“Let us through,” Zilek repeated, even more power in his voice. It made Rylana want to leap to obey.
The elf nodded and stepped back, but he also walked over to a communication device embedded in the arch. As the carriage rolled through, Rylana decided every elf in the enclave would soon know they were visiting.