Chapter 16 Raoul
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
RAOUL
Goldwing Court rose from the mountainside like a monument to excess.
Gold leaf covered every surface that could hold it, from archways to pillars, to railings. The late afternoon sun hit it all at once, and I had to squint against the glare as I descended into the formal courtyard.
A reception committee waited, twenty dragon shifters, arranged by height, wearing black formal robes embroidered with golden thread. They stood so still they could’ve been statues.
Adele shifted on my back, her curiosity mixing with apprehension through our link.
Welcome to Goldwing, I said. Where everything is formal, everyone is watching, and spontaneity is considered a character flaw.
She snorted. It’s that bad?
Worse. But smile and follow my lead. Although, they have a new king. I should see what he’s like before assuming he’s like his predecessor.
I landed, keeping my movements controlled and dignified. No dramatic flourishes here. Goldwing appreciated restraint and protocol above all else.
The moment my claws touched stone, the reception committee moved as one, executing a bow so perfectly timed it had to have been rehearsed. Probably multiple times.
After Adele slipped off my back, our bags in her hand, I shifted to my usual form and fell into the role I’d been trained for since birth, King Raoul of Emberforge, here to help but not impose.
It was a mask I wore well. I had to, given how much of my life involved navigating political courts like this one.
Their new king stepped forward, his features sharp, his eyes full of intelligence. The robes he wore were more elaborate than the others, marking his rank.
“King Raoul of Emberforge.” His voice carried across the courtyard. “Goldwing Court welcomes you and extends gratitude for your assistance in our time of need.”
The formal phrasing was deliberate. He wasn’t asking for our help; just thanking us for coming. This was designed to save face. Everything here would be about projecting the best image of Goldwing as possible.
“King Trevare of Goldwing.” I inclined my head in a bow calculated to show respect without deference. “Thank you for allowing us to visit. May I present my wife, Queen Adele of Emberforge.”
Adele stood beside me, her travel-worn tunic and pants looking out of place among all the finery. But she held her head high, and I felt a surge of pride at how she didn’t let their scrutiny shake her.
Trevare’s eyes flickered over her clothing, and his expression shifted. He wasn’t showing disapproval, but definitely assessment.
“Queen Adele.” He gave her a perfect bow. “We’re honored by your presence and expertise.”
The reception committee bowed again in unison.
Do they practice this? Adele asked in my mind, and I felt her fighting not to smile.
Daily, probably. Don’t laugh. They’ll consider it an insult.
I’m not going to. But her amusement rippled through me, and fates, it was a relief to have that lightness in the middle of this rigid formality.
“Accommodations have been prepared for you,” Trevare said. “We’d be honored if you’d join us for dinner this evening. We’ve arranged a formal reception with my senior advisors.”
I smiled. “We would be delighted.”
“Excellent.” Trevare gestured, and a woman dressed in golden robes stepped forward. “Advisor Mirabelle will show you to your quarters. Please make yourselves comfortable. Dinner will be served at sunset in the grand hall.”
Mirabelle led us into the cliff dwelling, her posture so rigid I wondered if she’d crack if she bent too far. The passages were wider than Silvervale’s, with vaulted ceilings and more gold decoration.
“Goldwing Court has maintained the highest standards of excellence for twenty-seven generations,” Mirabelle said as we walked beside her, her tone suggesting she was reciting from script.
“Our architectural achievements are unmatched in the realm. And let us not forget our significant cultural contributions. Everyone knows our diplomatic protocols are the model for all courts.”
She said it without a trace of warmth or humor. Just facts, delivered with the expectation we’d be impressed.
She’s very proud of her shiny rocks, Adele said.
Don’t make me laugh. I was fighting my own smile.
Mirabelle stopped at an ornate doorway, its frame inlaid with gold filigree.
“Your quarters, Your Majesties.” She pushed open the door and paused, her gaze sweeping over our clothing and small bags with barely concealed distaste.
“You’ve been traveling, and it appears you didn’t bring formal clothing.
We’ll have appropriate attire sent to your room so you don’t feel out of place at dinner. ”
“That’s very thoughtful,” I said evenly, though irritation sparked in my chest. Adele’s hand found mine, squeezing once, a reminder that it was my turn to behave.
“The bathing springs are through the back passage.” Mirabelle gestured to a door on the far wall of the large sitting area. “Dinner is at sunset. Please don’t be late. Punctuality is highly valued at Goldwing.”
She turned and left, her robes swishing with each step.
The door closed, and Adele burst out laughing. “Appropriate attire so we don’t feel out of place? She means so they don’t feel embarrassed by us.”
“That’s absolutely what she meant.” I pulled her into my arms. The tension I’d been carrying since we landed started to ease. “Welcome to Goldwing, where appearances matter more than anything and subtlety is for lesser courts.”
“It’s so different from Brightmore.” She leaned into me, her body warm and solid against mine. “And even Silvervale wasn’t this rigid.”
“Each court has its own culture. Brightmore is a village of working dragons. It’s practical, straightforward, and community-focused. Silvervale is political but values independence and strength. Goldwing is…”
“Obsessed with looking perfect?”
“Exactly.” I grinned. “They’re not bad people.
Just concerned with protocol and reputation.
Trevare seems reasonable enough. He’s young, but so was I when I took over.
And from what I’ve heard, he’s progressive by Goldwing standards.
But he’s got a council of traditionalists he has to manage, and they’re going to be watching us intently. ”
“Fantastic.” But she was smiling as she pulled back to look around the room.
The quarters were spectacular. High ceilings, gold accents everywhere, furs on the large bed.
Adele was already moving toward the back passage.
I followed her, and the bathing chamber made even Silvervale’s springs look modest. The pool was enormous, carved from rose-colored stone with gold veining. Steam rose in lazy curls, and the mineral scent was different here, warmer, almost spicy.
“This is…” Adele trailed off, shaking her head.
“Excessive?”
“I was going to say beautiful, but yes, also excessive.” She turned to face me, and the exhaustion I’d been sensing through our link showed in her eyes. “We’ve been flying all day.”
“And you barely slept last night.” I’d felt her restlessness, her mind churning through data and theories. “Let’s bathe and relax a bit before we have to dress and perform at dinner.”
We stripped and slipped into the water, and I pulled her close, her back against my chest. For a long moment, we just floated, letting the heat soak into our tired muscles.
“I hate that I don’t have answers yet,” she said. “All these babies suffering, and I’m just collecting data.”
“You’re being thorough. That’s good.”
“It doesn’t feel good.” Frustration came through in her voice. “It feels like I’m failing.”
“You’re not.” I turned her to face me, needing her to see my certainty. “You’re doing exactly what needs to be done. Investigation takes time.”
“Time those babies don’t have.”
“They’re not in danger, sweet. Just uncomfortable. And uncomfortable is better than implementing the wrong solution because you rushed.”
She searched my face and sighed, some of the tension leaving her shoulders. “When did you get so wise?”
“I’ve always been wise. You were just too busy thinking about thermal air currents to notice.”
That earned me a splash of water to the chest, but she was smiling. “Impossible man.”
“Your impossible man,” I said before I could think better of it.
“I like that.” Her smile softened, and warmth passed between us.
We washed, helping each other. I loved being here with her, working soap through her hair, feeling her hands on my skin.
When we emerged from the bath, we found two outfits laid out on the bed. Dark pants and a tunic with elaborate silver embroidery for me, and a deep blue silk gown for Adele that shimmered when it moved. Matching shoes for both of us sat on the floor beside the bed.
“They’re fast,” she said, holding up the dress.
“Everything in Goldwing is. Efficiency is another point of pride.” I pulled on the pants, then the tunic, grimacing at how stiff the fabric felt. “Though comfort is apparently negotiable.”
Adele slid on the dress. It fit her perfectly, clinging to her curves before flowing into graceful skirts. Her hair was still damp, curling around her face, and the deep blue made her eyes look impossibly bright.
“You’re staring,” she said, but her cheeks flushed.
“You’re beautiful.” I closed the distance between us, unable to help myself. “Fates, Adele. You’re going to make every dragon in that hall forget how to breathe.”
“Good. Maybe then they’ll be too busy gasping to ask condescending questions.”
I laughed and kissed her, meaning it to be brief but getting lost in the taste of her. When I finally pulled back, her eyes were hazy, her lips swollen.
“We should go,” I said, though what I wanted was to peel that dress right back off.
“Punctuality is highly valued.” Her voice had gone breathy.
“Absolutely.” I offered her my arm, and we left our suite, following the sound of voices and the scent of roasted meat toward the grand hall.