Chapter 21
~Evira~
Revelry reigned.
The celebration was in full swing.
Magnor City had been restored.
As far as the Dracoryn Realm was concerned, the war had been won now that Sanctus had been destroyed.
The Ruxnoth of it all was merely a footnote here because Kai’s additional ward that now protected the Realm—and many other realms and institutions throughout the supernatural world—would effectively keep that maniac out.
It was also known that he’d been severely weakened, and weakness plaguing an enemy was seen pretty much as their definitive defeat for dragonkind.
Of course it wasn’t merely a footnote to me and my loves. It hung heavy over us.
Especially when it had been confirmed that the bastard was alive.
Ariana had been able to pick up a register of his magic on the mortal plane, but it had slipped away all too quickly, meaning Ruxnoth had concealed himself. The only other option was that he’d perished, but Sylas had checked and Ruxnoth hadn’t passed into the Valley of the Dead.
“Evira?”
I blinked as Cornelius Martel’s voice brought me back to the immediate.
I’d been conferring with him and ironing out some details for Exalt to evolve and somewhat meld with his Inter-Realm Ambassador role.
It would provide Exalt more influence and political legitimacy and recognition, while also giving him valuable insight into deeper issues and mechanisms that, with the loftiness of his role, he hadn’t been able to access.
He conferred with the leaders, heads of state, but with what I’d already accomplished with Exalt, and would continue to progress much further with, he’d seen the power and the very real need in connecting with the heirs and those like us—a collaboration.
“I’ll gather the members to review what you and I discussed today, then we’ll set up a meeting with you to finalize everything,” I told him.
“Excellent. I’ll prepare my home for such a gathering.”
“Your home?”
He lifted a shoulder. “Yes, I wish to begin our partnership on amiable and comfortable terms.”
In a burst of wolf speed, a hand landed on his shoulder, Warlow Boyd now beside him, his shaggy brown hair a little windswept from the movement.
“He’s all about the friendly and accommodating route with those he deals with these days,” Warlow said, smiling kindly at me.
He was like that with everyone and I’d heard, as Cornelius’ husband and chief confidant, it had brought that out in Cornelius, much to everyone’s surprise when they’d first gotten together a few decades ago.
Warlow was the leader of Crossborn, an integral and respected figure in the supernatural world.
It hit me then—I was now on the track to becoming that as well.
But not as Crown Heir. Not as something I’d just inherited.
Through something I’d created.
Because of my efforts, my ideas, having some ace foundational members in Vaxan, River, Octana, and Fanor. We already had two dozen more applicants that we were currently reviewing as well. It was surreal.
And now with Cornelius’ involvement, it was beyond even that.
“Well put, sweet boy,” Cornelius said, beaming at Warlow and tucking him into his side.
The two of them were dressed in matching sleek black suits, Cornelius sporting a silver tie, Warlow with a purple one.
It wasn’t for this celebration they’d come by for, but because they had date night at Polaris after this.
“Well, it sounds lovely,” I said.
Cornelius grabbed a flute from one of the floating trays passing through the crowds and handed it to Warlow.
“Yes, thank you.”
“I know you’ve had your eye one of these since we arrived. Enjoy,” Cornelius said, kissing his cheek. Then he told me, “I need to have a word with your father now. We’ll be in touch.”
As they took off into the crowds of hundreds upon hundreds of dragons and many of our allies, I caught sight of Vorzyr in one of the tide pools teaching Ariana and Nyx how to use their magic dragon-style temporarily to ride them.
Not sure where Kai was. After the spell he’d created to protect the Realm, my dad had intended to present him with a Key to the Realm today.
Huh. Anyway, Vorzyr was happy on two counts—Dad had officially reinstated his place in the Dracoryn Realm, undoing his banishment.
And also… something major… Torvek had been sworn in as official Crown Heir.
I’d permanently given up my title.
For me.
This had been my home for a long time. I’d grown up here happily. And I’d always be back to visit often with Dad, Grandma, and T.
But it wasn’t where I wanted to be fulltime.
Being Crown Heir had never properly suited me. I was too… free spirited for such a rigid role.
Torvek wasn’t. He actually enjoyed rules.
Strict protocols. Loved to adhere to very specific expectations.
Although his girlfriend working with me at Exalt in between her role here was sure going to cause some friction.
Yes, they were now officially and openly together.
T had even texted me about them finally “making love so incredibly”.
Obviously without the details. He was too much of a prude for that, and honestly, I didn’t really want them.
Him finally being happy and being his true self was what mattered.
There were still some detractors here worried about his abilities, but it was just worry, not active antagonism.
He just had to continue to be his usual responsible self.
He and Fanor were even creating a council where he’d meet regularly with said detractors and reassure them, while also being transparent about the whole thing.
It would all be fine now.
So much had happened to bring it about, but now all of that was in a really good place.
Now that my business conversation with Cornelius was done with, I searched out my boys.
I’d barely started when I caught sight of Zayn decked out in a pink zebra-print leather vest and matching pants.
He was entertaining some children in dragon form, making his Ifrit flame dance and forming animated shapes around the children that had them so excited, little growls of elation sounded from them.
Their parents were gathered around watching with amusement.
A laugh burst from me. He was truly incredible.
Now where were my other incredible lovelies?
It would be hard to do a scent-track through an area chock-full of dragonkind.
Although, not impossible, if I had to.
My phone could also work.
But then I zeroed in on Vaxan over in the Wind Dragon influenced side of the city, by the wind chimes, a sky bridge in the distance behind him.
He was talking with Fanor and T who were, as shocking as it was—especially with how Torvek usually was—all over one another.
T was in a striking gold suit covered in rubies, looking the part of new royalty, and she was in her usual deep red and gold, albeit a suit also.
Quite the striking display. Especially with my sexy mighty lord factored in with his sleek all-black look—a studded perfectly tailored blazer and those delicious leather pants.
And of course his Sunveil crown nestled on top of his thick ebony hair.
As T and Fanor started getting a little too handsy and became distracted from their conversation, Vaxan used the opportunity to pull out his phone.
But I didn’t like what I saw as he did.
Urgency.
He was even using his Basilisk speed to type.
A sinking feeling settled in the pit of my stomach.
I swung my head through the space.
There Dad was with Grandma, the two of them looking so joyful and chatting away.
Last I’d seen Winter, he’d been talking with them.
In fact, that was where I’d left him when I’d needed to speak with Cornelius.
He’d seemed fine with them. Comfortable.
He’d been celebrated here today as well, and he’d been in awe of it.
For too long all he’d gotten from people had been suspicion and fear, but after what he’d done for the Realm that day he’d forced back Sanctus, that had most definitely shifted—especially here.
He’d gotten a Key to the Realm from my dad as well to raucous applause and cheers.
I was about to send a spelled concealed communication across the vast space to Dad when Flame walked up to him and they struck up a conversation. An interruption now would risk making a thing of it, the last thing I wanted now that Winter was being revered at long last.
Dammit.
A few feet to the right by the twin onyx arches of Ember Gate, I locked on Velra standing with Lazriel and Cassius.
They’d come to see their son being honored during the ceremony earlier where Ariana had accepted the key for Kai as he hadn’t been present, then Winter had been up afterward and insisted that me, Vaxan, and Zayn join him up there.
Ambrose had also been invited for his efforts, but he hadn’t shown up.
That hadn’t seemed like anything out of the ordinary because he disliked notoriety.
I mean, Cassius had arrived a little late because he’d had a class.
He hadn’t been standing with Velra and Lazriel during the ceremony as a result, and he’d snuck in later on at the edge of the crowds so as not to make a scene.
I’d thought the same of Sylas, that he’d gotten held up at Requital.
But he wasn’t with the other three now either. So he literally wasn’t here at all.
Sylas and Kai missing. That then added to the Ambrose factor?
Yeah, something was going on.
Had Winter been called into that?
No. Why wouldn’t he tell us?
A hand landed on my shoulder and I spun to see Vaxan there. His eyes held concern, but he was otherwise checked—at least to any onlookers. I knew him better than that by now.
And so did Zayn, as he was meandering through the crowds in the next second toward us.
“What’s happened?” he whispered when he reached us.
Whispering among dragonkind? Sure. It was adorable, though.
Vaxan pulled out his phone and typed rapidly.