"Again with thelet himbusiness," Thrane interrupts, sliding his leg off the armrest and sitting upright, fingers intertwined and resting on the table. "Perhaps I willletyou keep your idiotic tongue."
Everyone is suddenly on edge and Ronan is practically giddy beside me. I must admit, I don't believe anyone has spoken to this council with such purposeful disregard. Oddly enough, I now have a newfound respect for the Frost Elf.
Uncle Soren raises a hand, quelching whatever fire Thrane has lit.
"If it is as you say, King Thrane, and Vidarr has selected Atlas to be his rider, who do you propose will teach him to ride?" My uncle asks a valid question. "We no longer have dragons in Tronovia and the last trainer died in the Great War."
"I will train him." Thrane answers without a moment's hesitation.
"You?" Lord Hess scoffs, drawing Thrane's wicked side eye. He stills, the unwavering stare gluing him to his chair.
"Do I detect protest?" Thrane says lowly, a predator playing with his prey. "Perhaps you would like to claim the honor yourself, Lord Hiss?" Thrane taps a finger to his chin, knowing damn well he's gotten under the councilman's skin by addressing him incorrectly. "Oh wait. You don't know shit about dragons."
"You cross the line – "
"Tread lightly," Thrane cuts Lord Edgar off. "You may not be under my jurisdiction, but I am not to be made an enemy." With that, the Frost Elf stands, signaling the end of the meeting. "I will train Atlas Harland to ride Vidarr. Unless anyone has any objections?"
Uncle Soren smiles politely. I'm not sure how he feels about Thrane, but I know he won't argue with another king, especially one who knows about dragons. "The honor is yours, King Thrane. Train him well."
"Splendid," Thrane motions for me to follow him before clasping his hands behind his back and walking to the door. "If you will excuse us. We have work to do."
With one last look spared my uncle's direction, I do as Thrane bids and follow him out into the hall, Ronan nipping at my heels.
Once we're a good way down the corridor, I say, "I think you made a few enemies today in helping me."
"Do you think I will lose sleep over men whose names I will not remember?" Thrane snips back, unbothered by the carnage he left for my uncle to sift through.
"I, for one, found it inspiring," Ronan snickers. "Kattigan and Hess will be losing sleep over you calling them Rattigan and Hiss for the rest of their dusty days."
The corner of Thrane's mouth quirks upward ever so slightly in amusement. "Yes, although juvenile, I did find that too easy to pass up."
"All jokes aside," I press him. "Why did you help me?"
"I think the real question you should be asking is what do I want in return for helping you?"
My heart lurches in my chest and my brows knit together. "And what do you want?"
There's a brief silence as we finally stomp out the front door and into the brisk winter. Thrane suddenly squares his shoulders with mine and says, "When you and Aurelia finally decide to have a family, I want you to name your first born after me."
Ronan barks out a laugh, slapping his hand against his thigh, but I remain stoic, reading Thrane's unrelenting grey gaze.
"You can't be serious," I say lowly.
"Am I laughing?"
Irritation burns in my lungs. "There's no way – "
Thrane smirks and holds up a hand to stop me. "Don't get yourself worked up. I jest about your offspring. See this as my gift to you. A welcome to the family present if you will."
I shoot Ronan a bewildered look, but he too seems surprised by the Frost Elf's no-strings-attached generosity. "You're beingnice," I release each word slowly, waiting for the other shoe to drop. "Why?"
He sighs and shakes his head. "Perhaps Aurelia is rubbing off on me. I assure you, it won't happen again." He makes for the carriage awaiting him. "I will check on Draakstan. Tomorrow morning, your lessons begin. Don't be late."
And with that, the Frost Elf hops into the buggy and disappears.
"You know, as much as I want to hate him for the wedding shit," Ronan tosses his apple core into the bushes, "he's not that bad once you get to know him."
"You only find him amusing because of how he handed those lords their asses."
