Chapter Three #2
“He ran into us.” That’s not a lie, but it also won’t stand up to inspection. “Allow me to make introductions,” I add hastily. David comes forward and inclines his head as I introduce him to Brandt.
“Welcome,” Brandt says, taking both his hands in his. “I am so happy to meet a sorcerer again. It’s been far too long.”
David’s head jerks slightly as he realizes he’s meeting someone who actually visited Earth before their species wars. I wonder how Brandt recognizes David’s species so easily—experience, or a dragon thing? Probably a combination.
“I am so honored to meet you,” David says, regaining his composure. That’s one of the things I love about him—he’s so difficult to upset. “And may I say, your grandson has such beautiful manners.”
Brandt blinks in shock, but I fall even more in love with David. How can I not? He wouldn’t even have understood what Dustin and I were talking about, so his kindness comes from an instinctive knowledge that Dustin is insecure and needy for approval.
I want to kiss him right here in the middle of the hallway while Brandt looks on.
“ My grandson? Are you certain? Dustin?” Brandt asks, completely discombobulated and glancing at me for confirmation.
David’s smile is warm and slightly amused. “Yes. Oh, he was enthusiastic, but young people often are, and he made us feel most welcome.” He looks over his shoulder at the hulking demon. “Right, Gideon?”
Gideon steps forward and inclines his head, then answers, “I’ve never had such a warm greeting from a stranger before.”
Garin squeaks, but Brandt is too bewildered to notice.
“That’s… wonderful. I’m so pleased he… Yes.
” He seems to gather his wits and lets go of David’s hands to reach out to Gideon, but then changes his mind, presses his fists to the middle of his chest, one on top of the other, and bows shallowly.
David draws in a surprised breath, and Gideon’s jaw drops, but he returns the gesture.
“Did I do it correctly?” Brandt asks. “It’s been such a very long time, and I know things change quite quickly on Earth.”
“Perfectly,” Gideon assures him. “We don’t use it commonly anymore, only in ceremonial rites. Were you acquainted with many demons before the travel ban?”
Brandt’s laugh has a wicked edge. “Oh, my boy, I was acquainted with every species at one time or another. We dragons only become sensible once we reach ten or so thousand years. Before that, I was partying on Earth every chance I got. I lived for nearly a hundred years with a demon couple. They were both so beautiful… and so inventive .” He leers.
How did this day go so far awry? It was supposed to be simple.
Important, but simple. I was going to impress David with my proximity to the king and the importance of my place here at court.
Not have to act as authority figure to an overgrown child and then have one of our most senior leaders brag about his wild days.
Damn dragons.
“Is the king waiting?” I ask hastily as Garin makes a gagging gesture and David and Gideon seem at a loss for words.
“Of course he’s waiting. We’ve been standing here in the hallway chatting. What else would he be doing?”
So much for hoping the dragons would use their company manners. It seems we’ve reached the “just old friends” phase of dragon-Earth relations.
I hustle everyone into the king’s sitting room in the hopes that getting this encounter back onto a more official footing will repair the impression we’ve made so far.
“Caolan!” King Raeulfr booms, standing from his favorite armchair by the window.
He likes to look out over what’s left of the world, the enclave within the shield.
He told me once that seeing how little remains bolsters him to keep fighting until the end.
That was the night before he sent me to Earth with orders to do anything I could to derail éibhear’s plans and warn the Earth species.
At the time, I thought it was a fool’s errand.
I thought he was misguided to care about thwarting éibhear when our own end was so close.
I have never been so glad to be wrong. Because if he hadn’t insisted on pushing forward, if he hadn’t given me those orders, our people would not be saved.
Pushing down the emotion that wants to flood me at how very close we came to total extinction, I walk over to him and incline my head. “Good morning, Your Majesty. You look well today.”
He does—there’s a glow of barely contained excitement to him.
“I feel five thousand years younger,” he declares. “Introduce me to our most honored guests.”
I do so somewhat cautiously, afraid my usually proper king will reminisce about some long-forgotten indiscretion on Earth, but thankfully, he doesn’t.
Within minutes, we’re all seated comfortably and being served refreshments.
The talk is friendly and inconsequential—décor, the view from the window, portal travel, and then a moment of consternation when the refreshments arrive and we all realize we aren’t sure if any of them are unsafe for our guests to eat.
Fortunately, the life force confirms to King Raeulfr and Brandt that all is well.
“This is a concern I hadn’t considered,” Brandt says, frowning. “When we move to Earth, what will happen? I used to eat freely of your foods, but that was long ago.”
“We’re already working on it,” David assures him.
“The sorcerer species leader is working with a team, using DNA samples donated by your ambassadors. That allows them to work on it from a scientific perspective and also gain verification from the magic—I mean, life force. One of the things I need to ask you for today is DNA samples from dragons so we can perform the same due diligence there. I do feel foolish for not having considered that it would apply in reverse for us here, though.”
“You can take my DNA,” Brandt says immediately. “And I’ll ask for a few more volunteers. Is it likely to be a problem?”
“It doesn’t look like it,” David says confidently.
“The magic was able to confirm that fresh foods, particularly those grown or farmed organically, are fine for elves. Caolan, Garin, and Eerika have been eating those and haven’t advised us of any distress.
” He glances over to me for confirmation, and I nod.
“The usual reaction to a change in diet, but no pain, no sickness, no major symptoms.” In fact, their fresh produce seems remarkably similar to ours in many ways. It makes sense, of course, since our planets have such a similar atmosphere and evolutionary history.
“What they’re doing now,” David explains, “is working through the different types of processed foods, additives, and fertilizers and pesticides we use. Organic fresh produce can be difficult or expensive—or both—to source in remote locations and during winter in some places. A wider range of options would be better, even if you choose not to eat them.”
Brandt asks a question about what “processed foods” means, and David begins to explain.
He seems quite happy discussing the technical details, and Brandt has been a sponge for information as long as I’ve known him—which is a long time—so I nab one of the little treats from the refreshment tray and settle back.
A slight movement from King Raeulfr catches my eye, and I look over. He’s staring at me, wiggling his fingers slightly—clearly trying to get my attention. When he has it, he slowly pans his gaze across to David, then back to me, and then winks.
What…?
Does he know? About my feelings? But how ?
I’ve come back twice to provide updates since meeting my beloved, but I definitely didn’t tell King Raeulfr that I had fallen hopelessly in love with my counterpart from Earth.
I certainly didn’t mention that I was overwhelmed by my emotions, that I want to spend my days catering to David’s every whim, that merely being in his presence is enough to make my life better.
So how could he possibly know?
The conversation shifts then, with Brandt asking King Raeulfr’s opinion, and our unsettling stare is broken.
As David explains how they hope to establish temporary encampments for our people while more permanent settlements and housing are arranged—all things I’ve already been made aware of—I lean toward Garin’s chair.
“I think His Majesty may have attached a spy spell to me,” I whisper. “Could you scan for it?” It seems incredible—the king has always trusted me in the past. Why would he utilize a spy spell now? Especially given how unreliable they are.
Garin lifts his eyebrows, just as surprised as I am. “Why do you think so?” he whispers back, glancing over at the king—who seems blissfully unaware of what we’re saying. Shouldn’t the spy spell alert him? Or does he not care that I’ve found him out?
“He knows about me and David.” I quickly explain what just happened.
Garin smirks.
My stomach sinks.
“There’s no spy spell,” he informs me. “I told the king about your budding romance when I came back yesterday.”
“It’s not just a romance,” I hiss, then realize what he just said. “ You told him? Why?”
He shrugs. “You need someone who can see paired souls to tell you if you and David are. I can’t help you with that, but the king can. Also, it was going to come out eventually, so I thought it would be a good idea to get in early and tell him how special the connection between you is.”
I close my mouth. It’s hard to be angry when a friend is thinking of your best interests. Although I do wish I’d been able to tell the king myself.
“What are you whispering about?” Brandt asks suddenly. “Come now, you know I can’t stand not knowing secrets.”
Well, damn. This is not what I had planned for today. Will David be upset if I mention my ardor for him?
“I imagine it’s to do with that matter we were discussing earlier,” King Raeulfr says easily, and Brandt’s face lights up with a grin even as my gut clenches in dread.
“Oh! I’ve been waiting to ask about that—did it turn out as hoped?” he asks, just as gossipy as any courtier.