“My peaceful sanctuary is ruined. Worse, your actions have drawn attention. The Lord Provost’s people are already on their way.”
Tate’s gaze slid sideways. That was a problem.
She wasn’t an expert but given what she knew about the jumpy nature of the powerful people who hung around the palace, she suspected they’d have a problem with two dragons battling it out not far from the emperor’s home.
“How did they find out so quickly?” she asked.
“They extended the reach of the alarm in headquarters,” Blaise answered.
The alarm was meant to alert those in the palace should one of them take on their dragon shape. Tate was sure the reason for its existence was because of Thora who had little control over his dragon. His dragon was ancient, but age wasn’t always the advantage it would seem.
Tate had only seen the physical incarnation of his dragon once. She hadn’t felt threatened, but she suspected that was more Ilith’s influence than anything. He’d called her queen before simply ignoring her.
Since the dragonlettes had taken up residence, the alarm had gotten a workout, resulting in several visits from the emperor’s people or the Lord Provost’s.
“And you didn’t tell me?” Tate asked.
Blaise’s expression was cocky. “I thought it was obvious.”
Tate resisted the urge to snarl at him. She didn’t need another mark against her.
“There’s going to be an inquiry.” Her grimace grew more pronounced as she mentally cringed. “It’s going to take all day.”
There was always an inquiry after someone took on their dragon form, but Tate didn’t usually have to deal with it. That fun task fell to the dragonlettes caretakers.
Only this time because she was the one to become a dragon, she’d have to deal with the whole troublesome task.
Tate groaned, dragging her hands down her face. “Ilith, I’m going to kill you.”
Her dragon didn’t respond from where she was curled in a ball along the small of Tate’s back.
For the first time since he’d stepped outside, Thora relaxed. It seemed Tate’s disgruntlement gave him pleasure.
Annoying bastard. She’d be more irritated if she didn’t kind of deserve it.
“Also, I’m docking your pay until the courtyard has been repaired,” Thora added.
This time Dewdrop was the one to protest. Money was king for her friend. As a former pick pocket and someone who spent a considerable amount of time on the streets before meeting Tate, he considered her paycheck serious business.
Since her money was used to support Dewdrop, Night and the twins, along with Tate, she didn’t object to his protestations.
This would hurt him far more than it hurt her.
His glare told her he blamed her for this. Fair enough. While Tate wasn’t the one who escalated the situation, she was responsible for Ilith’s existence. That meant all consequences fell on her head.
“He’s here,” one of the children cried. “The candy man is here.”
The rest of them swarmed the two people making their way around the house and through the ruins of the garden.
Ben crouched to meet them, spreading his arms as the children piled on top of him, their eager hands searching through his pockets.
A member of the Lord Provost’s guard, an organization tasked with upholding the emperor’s law, Ben was there when the children were rescued. Since then, he’d become a frequent visitor over the last few months whenever one of the children turned into a dragon.
He always brought candy or other gifts or treats. Not a bad tactic to earn his way into their goodwill.
Today, a new face accompanied him. A woman with military straight posture that projected confidence and strength. Her hair was chin length, the cut flattering. She stood apart from Ben and the children, observing everything with sharp eyes.
Hot fury splashed Tate’s senses as Blaise went still. It was like he was a spring someone had wound up. One touch would snap his control, leaving only death behind.
