Tate would like to think so, but if that was true, why did she feel like she’d stepped knee deep into a pile of shit?
“We’ll head home and go from there,” she said.
Here, they could do nothing. At least at home, she could make plans. Prepare. Already, her mind was running through her options.
This wasn’t the end of the world. Something like this was bound to happen eventually. Maybe not this exact scenario—Daisy’s inclusion was a definite curve ball. But Tate was the first female dragon-ridden. Her very existence spawned curiosity and envy. Since the moment she’d appeared in Aurelia, there had been whispers and rumors about her.
A formal debut was inevitable. Not only would it quell gossip and put a stop to any plans to recruit her, it would show her as firmly being under the emperor’s authority—even if that last part was nothing but an illusion.
Tate would play the game. She had no reason not to. Aurelia was her home and the emperor its ruler. As long as he didn’t cross her bottom line or pose a danger to her small, makeshift family, she’d act in his interests.
As independent as Tate was, she knew this world thrived on give and take. The emperor gave her legitimacy; his dragon-ridden reinforced his rule.
It was an acceptable trade.
Tate nodded at Daisy. “Head back to the annex and let Blaise and Jacob know about this.”
The two dragon-ridden were older and more experienced than Tate in the matters of the empire. If nothing else, maybe they could give Daisy a crash course on etiquette.
Seeing the worry in Daisy’s eyes, Tate forced a smile. “Don’t worry too much. I’m sure once Thora calms down he’ll have a plan for this.”
If only Tate believed that too. This was so far outside her realm of expertise and comfort that she couldn’t help but feel like she was going to make a fool of herself. That or offend someone with the power to make her life exceedingly difficult for the foreseeable future.
Knowing her, it was possible she’d achieve both.
At least Daisy’s personality was a little more easy going than Tate’s. She wasn’t the type to insult others or cause commotions.
No, that was entirely Tate’s expertise.
Daisy’s nod didn’t hide her uncertainty. She peeked at Dewdrop before heading for the annex.
Strong dragonlette,Ilith said approvingly.
Let’s hope that strength doesn’t get her killed.
Ilith flicked a tail in dismissal before shutting her eyes and resuming her nap.
“I really hope nothing happens,” Dewdrop said.
“Me too.” Tate tilted her head back, lifting a hand to shade her eyes as she glanced up at the roof.
Night, Pax and Willa peered down, similar expressions on their faces. Sitting next to each other, it was impossible not to see the family resemblance.
Though the twins still had fuzzy tufts of cream fur dotted throughout their coats, Night’s was complete. It gave Tate a glimpse of what the twins would look like when fully grown.
Brown, black and gold stripes ran along the length of Night’s back before fading into cream colored fur with black rosettes along his limbs.
The flat nose and pointy ears with tufts of fur sticking out of them made him seem more adorable than fearsome. An illusion, since he was one of the most lethal creatures Tate had ever encountered.
His children were miniature versions of him. The twins looked almost identical except for the fact Pax’s markings on his face were a little darker whereas Willa had a lot more cream-colored fur there.
The differences were lucky for Dewdrop and Tate. She couldn’t imagine how much more trouble the two would get into if they couldn’t tell them apart.
Already, they were menaces to be feared.
Tate stared at Willa. “How did she even get up there?”
It was a stupid question. The Veles were skilled climbers and masters at stealth. Night had proven that time and again. Such a feat wouldn’t be difficult for his daughter.
