Chapter 14
Sagan
“Congratulations on your victory over the high priest,” Ayao Hamdan, nephew of the Alpha of Jade Creek, said as we sat down Sunday afternoon for his introduction meeting. He snorted. “Or should I say Joris Visser’s?”
In truth, both of our stocks had risen. Joris was seen as the too passive son of Wildcairn’s Alpha, but now people were saying that he was simply prudent and knew not to flex his father’s power unlike other Alpha Heirs.
That he’d waited until it was something he felt passionate about and the right time to use his power and authority.
Especially when he was involved in the temple and knowledgeable about the situation.
Basically, he was being praised as a wise and prudent future leader of our generation instead of being like too many trying to flex they were Alpha.
Being smart was better than bold, and physical strength didn’t always translate to the strength of a region.
I was actually being praised for kicking the situation to him even if I hadn’t said I did… And I hadn’t.
Well, not consciously. Apparently, I had said something mostly asleep once we were done with sex but before he’d carried me back to my suite.
To say I’d about fallen over to learn that was an understatement.
Joris had gone to Toni, the new PR manager on my team who didn’t even officially start until Monday, and worked this all out.
She was less than thrilled to find out it was all without my knowledge, but I was glad at least Joris hadn’t completely gone off on his own. He’d talked to Myriam, and even Velle had been involved to help.
Glad she would since I’d kept up my end of the deal.
But I was being praised for knowing when to delegate at such a young age and also taking this “competition” seriously to find a true partner and mate instead of being frivolous. Or a slut with my body as had previously been reported.
Again, they were all assuming I’d given permission, but I hadn’t, nor did I say I had but whatever. Nice press for a change was refreshing.
More importantly? It worked. The high priest was out. Tossed out and disgraced out. People were disgusted to learn he’d slept with Elira and was allowing that to influence how he treated me.
Especially after my lover cheated with her. Someone caught the high priest ranting that it was my fault Kole seduced his Elira and she was whisked off to Applerest away from him.
Yeah, it was like that. Honestly, when that was reported I agreed with Myriam that we needed popcorn. The audio was even better and I asked for wine and snacks. It was glorious given everything else that had been going on and I was truly indebted to Joris.
He was just happy I wasn’t upset and glad I believed him that he really just wanted to help. He was serious that he wanted to make it clear to the rest of the candidates that this was where the bar was set for anyone who wanted to be my mate.
And from the annoyance I was sensing from Ayao… That message had been received. Across the board probably.
This is going to finally be amusing instead of distressing.
Both my dragons snorted. We were never that lucky but… Fine, some moments of amusement.
“I see it as a win for Thovudin and what’s best for the temples,” I said when he didn’t say more and obviously wanted a response out of me.
Ayao was less than thrilled with the one he got.
Oh no, I gave several fucks about that.
He ran his tongue over his teeth and it drew my attention to his lips.
I hated that I was attracted to him, but honestly any woman with a pulse would be.
He was a spirit dragon, which meant he had attractive pear green streaks in his hair, but his eyes basically matched, which was a stunning combination.
Stunning.
And he knew it. He played it up, gelling his hair so the streaks stood out more and—he knew it. He was a larger, built dragon and he would have no problem getting attention.
“Of course,” he said with a fake smile. “The situation with the former police chief is also to the benefit of Thovudin. It’s been beneficial to you as well—the new friendship with Jade Creek.”
I raised an eyebrow at that. “Your uncle too given the hot water he was in after being busted for lying about what happened. His sexism and more.”
“Yes, of course but—”
“Don’t start this way,” I sighed, trying to curb my annoyance, but I enjoyed when shock filled his eyes.
He was good and curbed it fast, but I saw it. “I don’t know what you mean, Your Majesty.”
“You do, Ayao. You know exactly what you’re doing and I’m—we were raised to play these games.
I get it since our families aren’t friends, but I’m annoyed you think so little of me that you assume you’d win.
That’s—this is to see if we’re compatible to be mates.
Joris and I just talked and about what put us in the same room.
That neither of us put us in that room.”
I called that correctly because he flinched.
He let out a slow breath and reached for the potatoes, checking if I wanted any before serving himself.
“At least he has that level of basic manners,” Iris drawled in my mind and it was hard not to snort.
Yeah, that basic.
“You’re right that I don’t want to be here and it’s not because of you,” he said finally.
He took a large bite and chewed before shaking his head.
“Actually, no, I do want to be here. You’re my best option.
” He snorted. “Way better than the people I’m being pushed to be mated off to like a fucking stud horse. ”
“I’m sorry. That’s horrible. Speaking as the broodmare they talked about like a whore and the child I’d bear being all that matters—I’m sorry.”
He relaxed more and gave me a pitying look.
“Mother laid into Uncle. So did his mate. They—the females of the family were up in arms when the reports came out. Especially after he doubled down. They might not say it publicly because of the flak they’ll get, but know that Uncle is still sleeping in a guest room. Probably. I know he was.”
That actually did make me feel better. I’d felt so alone and unsupported. I decided to give him an inch. “Thank them for me.” I nodded when he seemed surprised. “Truly. I don’t blame them for not saying it publicly. Even other women have been so vicious but—thank them.”
“I will.” He waited until we took a few more bites of food. “I’d like us to mate but in name only. The alliance with Jade Creek would benefit you and I would stay out of your way. Send me on errands wherever like your dad sent Fraser to help and that way I’d have my freedom.”
I almost dropped my fork when his meaning sank in.
It still made my brain short circuit, and I simply blinked at him for much longer than was polite.
He finally snickered and focused on his food, seeming lighter now that he’d gotten it out.
“Come on, Sagan. I never believed Kole’s bullshit that you’d only been with him and were completely in love with him.
Obviously, that wasn’t true and—you led your separate lives, and when he became a liability you got rid of him. He’s a tool who couldn’t be discrete.”
Was that what some people thought now? It was hard to keep it together. It really was.
“And to pick that bitch Elira?” He rolled his eyes.
“I’m not being classist or elitist. I don’t care that she was an orphan or ward or whatever.
She was just dumb.” He froze and gave me a sympathetic look.
“Your parents were too busy and had so many wards. They were good people. They had to tune so much out. I’m not judging them. ”
“But they caught on in the end,” I said honestly. “Mother realized not everyone could be set on the right path though she tried.”
“She was a wonderful woman like that,” he muttered, sounding genuine.
“No one I know had an ill word for her. No one with any decency. I don’t mean what I say against them.
They had other priorities over one self-important ward.
It’s the people of the castle and even your father’s staff who fell for it.
Let rumors swirl that you bullied the twat.
“That was unacceptable. That’s tarnished you and it’s outrageous that it ever took this long to be fixed.
” He gave me a hard look. “I would never do that to you. I might not believe in love and see the reality of what this is and my options, but I believe mating is a partnership of respecting each other. You never let the other look bad.”
“You just don’t believe in being faithful,” I commented, proud when my voice was even.
He was quiet a few moments and we ate until he was ready.
“I think you get one or the other, and I’d rather have the understanding we never make the other look bad than the lies of love and being faithful.
I’ve never seen it work out, and ancients always even say they take others to their bed, so what’s the point of fighting it? ”
I realized he had more to say and I waved him on with his fork. “I prefer to just have this out.”
He froze and then nodded. “And I appreciate that. That’s what I would like. Why dance around the situation we’re in?” He licked his lips and met my gaze. “I apologize. You’re right and I shouldn’t have played the games. It wasn’t even looking down on you. It’s what I know.”
“I’ll accept that, but forgive me for waiting to see the proof of it in the future.”
“Fair. I don’t tend to make the same mistakes though, so I’m confident we can keep this level of openness if you do as well,” he said easily.
He cleared his throat and circled back. “It’s also that I don’t think my dragon will settle with the idea that I’m not allowed my freedom when you have multiple mates. I see that as a recipe for disaster.”
“I appreciate your candor.” I wasn’t sure what else to say and focused on my food.
It wasn’t until a few tense moments later that he stopped eating. “But you’re upset. This isn’t what you want?”