Love. Real, deep, terrifying love that made my dragon want to roar its claim for every court to hear.
Adele glanced up, catching my expression, and her brow furrowed.What?
Nothing. Just watching you work.
You’re staring at me like I’ve grown a wart on my nose.
I’m staring at you like you’re special. Because you are.
Color rose in her cheeks. Stop distracting me. I have work to do.
Yes, Your Majesty.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
ADELE
Back in the council chamber, maps covered every available surface. Queen Mortiven had assembled her best people, including dragon shifters who’d spent lifetimes navigating these peaks, advisors who understood weather patterns, and scholars who’d studied the mountains’ geological history.
I stood at the head of the table, feeling the weight of every eye in the room.
“Based on the tremor’s epicenter and known fault lines,” I said, tracing my finger along a map, “the exposed formations should be concentrated here, here, and here.” I marked three locations on the highest peaks. “But there could be smaller exposures along these ridgelines.”
A grizzled dragon shifter named Warren leaned forward, studying my marks. “That’s treacherous terrain. Updrafts are unpredictable. Ice shelves unstable.”
“Which is why we’ll need your expertise,” Raoul said from nearby. “You know these peaks better than anyone.”
Warren’s weathered face creased into something thatmight’ve been respect. “I can get you there safely. But the magic part is all yours, Queen Adele.”
“Magic is the easy part,” I said. “It’s just atmospheric manipulation on a slightly larger scale than usual.”
Raoul’s hand found the small of my back.You’re terrified this won’t solve the problem.
Only a little. If I’m wrong, war becomes inevitable.
You’re not wrong.
Queen Mortiven pushed a leather satchel across the table. “Supplies. Food, water, warming stones for the heights. Take whatever you need from our stores.”
“Thank you,” I said, pleased by her offer. Not long ago, this court had viewed us with suspicion. Now they were offering us everything they had.
“Thank you,” Mortiven said. “For caring enough about our children to risk yourselves in those peaks.”
“We’re not risking ourselves,” Raoul said. “We’re being careful and thorough.”
I shot him a look. He’d spent the last hour fussing over safety equipment. Three coils of rope in case two failed. Extra warming stones. Climbing harnesses that I’d probably never use since I’d be riding on his back.
“His Majesty is very prepared,” one of the younger advisors said diplomatically.
“His Majesty is paranoid,” I said, earning startled looks from the council and a grin from my husband.
“I prefer appropriately cautious,” he said.
“You brought four blankets for a day trip.”
“The peaks are cold.”
“I have my dragonfire ring.” I held up my hand. “And you’ll stay close, right?”
