Aurelion lifts a brow and Kaelun looks surprised. “It would?”
“Yes. I want you both to join me and tell me what you would do about the water situation. If I am to choose a husband, I will need someone who can give me good advice.”
Without waiting for them, I step around Aurelion and begin walking again in the direction of the council chamber. Of course they both follow.
Aurelion chuckles. “I think I have already won this challenge and the contest, Noreth. But you’re welcome to tag along to see how it is done.”
Kaelun lengthens his steps to come alongside me, ignoring Aurelion. “What can you tell us about the situation?”
“I have just received a message to say that the Solhara’s Gift, along with two of the city’s other main wells, has run dry.”
Kaelun whistles. “And the inundation is long overdue.”
Aurelion, who has also caught up with us, glances aside at him and Kaelun coughs. “Or so I have heard your people saying. This is indeed a terrible situation.”
“What would you do?” I ask him.
Before he can answer, Aurelion jumps in. “Yes, what would you do? Surely you have a wealth of experience managing water in… where exactly is your kingdom again?”
Kaelun laughs uncomfortably. “It is a long way from here. In the…opposite direction from… where are you from again?”
Luckily I do not have to listen to them bicker for much longer. We arrive at the council chamber, and Master Vahn is already waiting for us.
He bows. “Light of the Sun, thank you for coming so swiftly. I see I have interrupted your marriage competition, and I must apologize.”
“No need to apologize. In fact, I have invited Prince Aurelion and Prince Noreth to join the council today to learn how they would advise me.”
He is about to say something when Master Vos hurries up, and we all enter the chamber.
Aurelion
As we move into the small chamber, I have to turn my snout away from Yalina so the rich sweetness of her scent doesn’t overtake me. My control is fraying every moment I’m near to her without securing my claim on her. The best way to do that would be to plant my youngling in her womb.
I thought I had secured my prize last night in giving her the mating bite, but even now she fights me—as well she should. A dragon’s mate should be nothing if not fierce. I rushed my best manoeuvre, got carried away in the heat of my desire for her and bound myself to her whether she likes it or not. My life now relies on me accomplishing this bargain.
Just the memory of last night—of her in my arms—is enough to rouse my cock to half-hardness. My mouth floods with mating venom even now, and I have to close my eyes and turn my face toward Noreth to draw a deep breath in to try to clear my senses. Even that does surprisingly little.
I should have stolen her away last night. Taken her back to my homeland to perform the ceremony and make her mine. Why is she still resisting me?
Vahn is talking, and I fix my attention on him as he gives me a meaningful look down the table. “Light of the Sun, you saw my note. I’m certain you can be in no doubt as to what we are meeting about. The city’s wells are dry. We are out of options. I believe we must act.”
All the faces of the men and women sitting at the table turn to Yalina. “I think you are right, Master Vahn. But what shall we do? The last time we met, all our options had been exhausted save restrictions. It seems to me that restrictions and rationing are now our only hope.”
Master Vahn turns to me as if we had practiced this scene ahead of time. We almost did. I blink, remembering the plan.
“I believe there is one more option, Highness. Why not ask our neighbors for assistance?”
I shift my wings as their heads turn and they focus on me instead. “May I speak, Light of the Sun?”
Next to me, Noreth narrows his eyes but remains silent. Poor fool. He still refuses to accept he’s lost this contest.
Yalina tips her head to the side. “Go ahead.”
“Tarquenor can be of assistance to you if you wish it.”
“At what price?”
A fair question. In a region like ours, fresh water is never free. It is the most hotly contested commodity for all the city states along the eastern coastline. “Light of the Sun, you dishonor me. It would be my gift to you. Myweddinggift.”
