“Thank you.”
The King nodded, then speared a mushroom with his fork. He stuck it into his mouth and chewed. I caught the glint of a fang and stared.
After swallowing, he asked, “What is it now?”
“Your mother is Eljaffna, isn't she?”
He sighed and leaned back. “Yes.”
I frowned. “You sound as if that's a bad thing. Why?”
“You don't think less of me for it?”
“No, of course not. And neither do your courtiers.”
“What?” He scowled at me. “They think it's because I'm Eljaffna that I survived.”
“Yes, but even if it was the reason you lived, that doesn't make the Eljaffna part of you evil.”
The King went still.
“Your Majesty, I—”
“Shaleros,” he interrupted. “When we're alone, you may call me Shaleros.”
I couldn't speak for a second, then I said, “Shaleros.”
His expression softened.
“Thank you,” I said. “For the honor.”
“You're welcome. Now, tell me why you haven't started looking at me as everyone else does.”
“How does everyone else look at you?”
“As if I'm only half a king.”
“I don't think that's true.”
“It is. Trust me. All my life I've been treated as if I'm only half of what I should be. Never enough.”
“I'm sorry for that. Why didn't your mother stand up for you?”
“She did. As much as she could in a Dragon enclave.”
“She was seen as an outsider?”
“No, not at all. When someone of another race mates a Dragon, they're usually accepted into their mate's dread. Even if they aren't fully accepted, they will be treated with respect. Only Kings must present their mates for full acceptance and risk rejection. My mother was accepted.”
“She was, but you weren't?”
“I was. I am. I have always been a proud member of the Latur Dread. But I've also been pushed harder, demanded more of, and . . . gawked at. Only Erelis—” He stopped short, hung his head, then whispered, “Dear Gods. I haven't spoken or heard my mate's name in so long. It's wrong.”
“No, it isn't.” I laid my hand on his shoulder. “It was necessary for your survival. And that's a testimony to your love.”
Shaleros looked up at me. “She was beautiful.”
“I have no doubt she was.”
