I grinned at him. “I like that.”
“That's a relief since we're bound forever.”
I laughed and swung our hands like a child. “Forever!”
“Ah, so it's sunk in, has it?”
“That Bara's evil has been vanquished? Yes. I'm completely free, and so are all the people he hurt.”
“Just in time for your presentation.”
My heart leapt in my chest. Dragons had already started to arrive at the palace, coming from enclaves all over Tabaa. The entire dread had to attend my presentation because every single Dragon had to give their approval of the King's choice of a mate. If even one of them didn't like me, Raven would have to give up his throne. He said it was a formality, that he'd never heard of a dread disapproving of a King's mate. If I was good enough for the Goddess, I was good enough for them. But I was still anxious.
I was simply too happy not to be nervous.
We entered the throne room through the door at the back of the royal dais. There were two chairs on the dais now, though only one was a throne. My chair was still very nice, just not so grand as Raven's, and made to accommodate my wings. Anywhere else, and Raven would have sat me first, but not here. On the royal dais, the King sat first, and then he nodded to me. I sat down and looked at the man standing at the base of the dais steps. Large for a human, he had very long blond hair braided down his back and wore a sword on his hip. His clothing was formed mainly of leather, similar to the styles of Tabaa, butwhere people here liked to adorn things with beads and fringe, his clothes were more simple. Only his tunic was adorned with a woven trim.
“Greetings, King Raventar.” The man bowed. “I bring a letter from His Majesty, King Falken of Sconheit.”
“You may approach the throne.” Raven held out his hand.
The man hurried up the steps and passed a sealed letter to the Dragon King. Just as he ascended, Sevarin entered the hall.
“You summoned me, Your Majesty?” Sevarin asked as he strode toward us. He glanced at the messenger and then looked again. “You're from Sconheit.”
“Yes.” The messenger looked Sevarin over. “Are you Master Sevarin?”
The Dragon King cleared his throat as he broke the seal on the letter.
The messenger flinched and bowed, but Sevarin only sauntered closer.
“Is he here for me?” Sevarin demanded, his tail twitching.
“If you would be silent for a minute, Alchemist, I will discover the reason for this visit,” Raven growled.
Sevarin inclined his head. “My apologies, Your Majesty.”
Raven read the letter and let his hand flop with it onto his lap. “It is indeed a request that I send you home, Master Sevarin. It appears that there is a situation in Sconheit that could use your attention.”
“What kind of situation?”
Raven peered at the letter. “Your king says that enchantments have been failing in Sconheit. He has heard of your success here and believes you could help him. It is, of course, your choice. You are welcome to stay in Tabaa for as long as you wish. Or you may return home with my blessing.”
Sevarin scowled at the messenger. “Out with it! What's happening in Sconheit? What enchantments are failing?”
“I don't know, Master Sevarin.” The man straightened. “All I was told was that I should see you safely to the Royal Palace.”
“If I agree, you mean.”
The man's suntanned skin paled.
“Ah, it's that dire?” Sevarin narrowed his eyes at the messenger and then looked at the Dragon King. “Sire, did my king mention any amount?”
“Amount of what, Master Sevarin?”
“Payment for my services.”
I chuckled. The man was reliable in many ways, including his shrewdness when it came to currency.
