Daiyu grimaced.
“In exchange for King Raza's friendship,” I answered for her. “Now, does this friendship require the unseelie to assist you in the war you have brewing beneath the sea? The one with the Court of the Dragon Kings?”
There are two underwater dragon courts; the Court of the Nine Sons, and the Court of the Dragon Kings. All dragons were considered monarchy, so the whole Dragon King title seemed silly and redundant to me. But I'd yet to meet a dragon from the King Court, so I probably shouldn't call them silly. In fact, after meeting those from the Nine Sons, I highly doubted their silliness. Especially when it came to war. The two courts were constantly fighting, but things had recently escalated when one of the dragon kings from the Nine Sons tried to frame the Court of the Dragon Kings for my murder.
Raza had saved my life that time. The thought made me look from Raza to Killian in consideration. All three of the men who loved me had saved my life. What did that say about me? That I had a thing for heroes? Or maybe it took a lot to impress me. Then again, it could simply be the fact that so very many people wanted to kill me. It gave the men who loved me lots of chances to shine.
“We are not at war,” Daiyu pulled me back from my violent musings. “Nor are we planning to go to war anytime soon. Regardless, we need no help in our kingdom, especially not from land fey.”
“In your kingdom,” Raza's shrewd eyes narrowed on Daiyu. “You are anticipating an attack coming via land?”
Daiyu sighed, “Possibly.”
“Interesting,” Raza wasn't upset in the least about Daiyu trying to manipulate him. In fact, he looked intrigued. “Through the Human Realm or Fairy?”
“Fairy,” Daiyu admitted. “We believe the Court of the Dragon Kings will make their way through the Seelie rath, near the Unseelie Castle.”
“And then on to the Básmhor Sea,” Raza nodded. “Which puts me in a prime position to stop them.”
“Yes,” Daiyu said. “So do we have an agreement, King Raza?”
Raza contemplated it. He glanced at me, and I nodded. The help of the Sons had been significant during the last battle for Unseelie. We could definitely use their strength again. Especially with iron arrows in the mix... twenty-thousand of them.
“I'm uncertain where this war is headed,” Raza narrowed his eyes on Daiyu. “What if you send troops to Craos-Teine, and we are attacked elsewhere? Or what if we are not attacked at all? Then I have gained nothing in return for aiding you.”
“Yes, true,” Daiyu pursed her lips. “But such is war.”
“No,” Raza shook his head. “I won't take on a commitment of this magnitude without an absolute exchange.”
“I see,” Daiyu exhaled long and loudly. “What if I agree to send troops here, to take up residence in your lake? You will see to their care, and if they are not needed, you owe us nothing. You will have fed and housed our soldiers, and that will be payment enough.”
“Agreed,” Raza said immediately, putting his hand out to Daiyu.
The Dragon Queen smiled viciously, and shook Raza's hand. “Excellent. Now, back to more pleasant pursuits,” she looked towards Killian.
Killian's panicked stare shot to mine.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
“I hate you,” Killian said as we left the dining hall. “I hate you both,” he extended his stare to include Raza. “You're horrible people and even worse fairies.”
“Come on, Killian,” I pushed his shoulder. “It was funny.”
“That woman wants to eat me alive,” Killian's eyes were wide and troubled. “And I'm not sure if it's in the good way or not.”
“Most likely she'll start with the good way,” Raza offered. “Though how she finishes is up for debate.”
“Thanks a lot,” Killian huffed. “You're just relieved she stopped chasing you.”
“No doubt you are a brief distraction,” Raza smirked as he led us upstairs. “Daiyu is too discerning to choose you over me.”
“Hardy har har,” Killian grimaced. “In this one instance, I'd be happy to lose to you.”
“Killian, I need you to get some supplies for us,” I interrupted their banter.
“Supplies?” Killian frowned, then his expression cleared. “To deal with the elves? We talkin' scopes?”
“Yes. How many do you think you can get?”
