“I don't know if I'm ready for that.”
“You'll have to meet them eventually.” He frowned. “Wouldn't it be easier to do it now instead of when you're under the pressure of the presentation?”
“Presentation?”
“Yes, when I present you as my mate to the dread.”
I let out a shuddering breath. “Rian, we don't—”
“No,” Rian cut me off. “It's hard enough to deal with your doubts, Galin. Do not shake my faith.”
“Fair enough.” I sipped my coffee and wished it was hot chocolate.
“But that is rather beside the point,” he went on. “The main reason I want you to come is to oversee the investigation.”
“What?” I sat back.
“I want you to watch whatever the vegetation master—if we can find one—does. Perhaps you'll have some insight based on his findings.”
“Rian, I don't think I'll be so helpful.”
“I disagree.”
I shook my head. “I have my business to run.”
“I'll pay your employees double to cover for you while you're gone.”
“I don't want to look useless in front of your dread.”
“Geris and I have been going over and over this problem with my advisers for nearly two weeks. Myfouradvisers. All Dragons. And none of them suggested this might be non-magical. Not a single one. Geris barely spoke of the problem before you suggested a natural cause. You think differently from us, and I need that.” He stretched out his hand and took mine. “I need you. And not in the usual way. I truly need your help on this. Will you come with me?”
I sighed. “If Raef and Arena will agree to watch the shop, I will go.”
“Thank you!” Rian jumped to his feet, bent to kiss me, and strode out of the room.
“Where are you going?” I called after him.
“To offer them money until they agree.”
I rolled my eyes down to Vashana, who was sitting beside me. “It looks as if we're going to Ricsavik.”
Vash yipped.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Three days later, I was standing in the front courtyard of the Royal Castle with a satchel in hand, the Inner Eye around my neck, and Vashana beside me. I was dressed in a new outfit that Rian had given me specifically to meet his family in. It was now the finest outfit I owned, especially combined with my red cloak. Rian even made sure to match my vest and cravat to the cloak—the cravat was red silk while the vest was black with a design of red roses.
To my left stood Sebastian Dahl, Master of Vegetation. Yes, there really was such a thing. Sebastian had attended school for advanced studies and focused on the study of plants. He did not like being called a gardener, but since he was human, his protests varied in strength depending on the speaker.
Despite his schooling, Sebastian gaped along with me when the King's knights, all twelve of them, shifted into their dragon forms one by one and took to the sky. Servants gathered the knights' clothes and packed them in a trunk, hurrying to and fro and barely noticing the muscular naked men who were transforming into giant beasts with claws as long as my legs. More trunks were set to the side, waiting for dragons to pick them up. My things were in one of them.
I would have flown myself to Riscavik, but my wings couldn't handle such temperatures. Dragon wings never froze due to their Fire Magic. I hoped that meant Rian would keep Vashana and me warm during our journey. Speaking of Vash, I had worried about her reaction to the dragons, but the dog was made of sterner stuff. She had looked at me for guidance, and when I nodded at her, she remained calm.
Using Furn's guidebook, I taught Vashana a new trick. She would put her forepaws on my shoulders so I could hug her. Soon, I'd give the command for her to do so. I was just waiting on Rian.
The last of the King's guards leapt into the sky, and then Geris went forward. As he stripped, I glanced at Rian, who was standing beside me. His stare was already on me, and I transformed my glance into a long, heated look when I saw that. We wouldn't have noticed Geris's launch if his wings hadn't blown back my hair.
Rian grabbed his top hat before it could fly off, his gloved hand going to my head before he remembered that I rarely wore them. He liked me better without a hat, with my hair loose. For traveling, though, I had braided my hair.
