He quickened his step. How often had Gerard talked about needing to protect Elias, since he could not defend himself? Had Elias been laughing at him all along whilst thinking of what he’d done to Gerard? After all, he could clearly take care of himself. He’d brought Gerard, in his dragon form, down to earth with two lightning strikes.
His feet halted.
Elias could bring down a dragon. He had that capability.
And right now Elias, a lightning archmage, was living amongst Gerard’s family. Furthermore, only Gerard knew Elias’s true identity and capabilities.
Spinning on his heel, he marched back in the direction of the Draconian quarters.
Everyone thought Elias weak. Not a threat at all.
He tried to think. In Voltaria, lightning archmages hid their identities so they wouldn’t be targeted. He’d learnt that in the time since the war had ended. So Elias hiding his identity did not necessarily mean he had been planted to launch an attack or cause harm to the royal family of Draconia.
However, Gerard could not be certain. He broke into a run, wishing he could shift and fly. But these passages were far too narrow. He’d tear it apart. Or end up bringing the structure down upon himself.
What if Elias had been planted? What if he was part of the plot against the peace treaty this whole time?
But what would be his motivation to work against it?
Gerard wanted to laugh, weep, or scream. How should he know what Elias’s fucking motivations were? He knew nothing about his husband!
And Elias’s cover had just been blown. If he had been part of some plot or plan, he might have decided he needed to move quickly and act now. He might have already attacked Gerard’s family!
His legs pumped, breath coming fast. Finally, Gerard reached the doors leading to their Draconian quarters. He halted.
He glanced around. Where were the guards? He lookedup and down the passage. There was no one guarding the door! And no one patrolling outside their quarters.
His insides sank. Until that moment, Gerard had not truly believed Elias could betray him. But what other explanation was there? There were no guards in sight.
The warrior doves would not be close. He’d requested them to keep some distance from their quarters, stating that the Draconians guards could take care of defending their rooms.
He reached for his dagger. The sheath hung empty.
Shit!He’d dropped the dagger in his bedroom.
Should he leave and get backup? But what if Elias had already made his move? What if his father had already been attacked? He had no idea which of his family members were in their quarters and could already be dead at Elias’s hands.
His throat clenched at that thought. But he couldn’t dwell on it. There was no time to waste.
Taking a deep breath, he crept forward, listening for any noise. He turned the handle and opened the door.
Chapter
Fifty-Four
Sweat broke out on Gerard’s body as he entered the Draconian quarters.
Where was everyone? He scanned the corridor.
If Elias had attacked the guards, then their dead or injured bodies should still be present. Unless he’d moved them. But would Elias have the strength to move all the bodies on his own? Maybe Elias was working with others.
Or maybe it was someone else completely.
Fuck. I hope it is someone else.
Gerard didn’t want to believe Elias could have attacked them. His entire being rebelled at the thought. He crouched low as he slunk forward.
Then he stopped.
