She squealed. “Yes! Yes! Oh, my Guardians, yes! I have always wanted to fly a dragon. It would be an honor, My Lord.”
"Please, just Titus is fine." I corrected. “Then congratulations on being the first Fae female to be employed on the royal court and to fly a dragon,” I said warmly.
She hugged Cercies and mouthed the words thank you to him.
“I’ll tell Aurelius to get you on the schedule for riding lessons,” Cercies replied.
Delilah cut in. I could tell she felt uncomfortable with what she was about to say. She looked at me.
“About that—I don’t know how to say this, but Aurelius asked me to run away with him today. He may not be as loyal to you as you think.”
Betrayal cut deep with a dull blade.
I couldn’t say I was surprised. Things between us had been strained for some time. I hoped it was a moment of weakness. The Dragon Master had always been more talk than action.
My flames threatened to rip through my skin, but I restrained them. I needed to handle this delicately. I was still determining exactly where my other brothers’ loyalties lay.
“And what did you say?” I asked evenly, shielding my emotions.
Her brows pinched together. “I told him no. That I love you and I am not leaving my friends to die in a war I can help prevent.”
“And his response?”
“He was upset at first, but then seemed accepting.”
Just as I thought. Typical Aurelius—emotional, impulsive, but ultimately weak. If he became a problem, it would be difficult… but I would wipe him from this realm for her.
“I wouldn’t worry,” I said nonchalantly. “He’s always been… sensitive. He’s not one to follow through.”
“He’s right,” Cercies agreed with a nod.
“You can’t be serious,” Delilah protested. “He already tried to kill you once at the SkyGuard feast. I’m telling you, he’s dangerous.”
The worry in her eyes twisted something in my chest.
Cercies and I exchanged a restrained grin. The thought of the pretty boy being dangerous was almost comical. Even if his magic level was unknown, he always backed down from a real fight.
“Let us handle our brother,” Cercies said firmly. “He gets upset from time to time, but deep down he is loyal.”
I agreed. Aurelius was usually loyal. This was just another tantrum. He would get over it, and things would return to normal. They always did.
I turned to my General, remembering another matter. “Folliade arrives tomorrow with his two guards. Do we have the clearances and restrictions ready for his search party?”
“Yes. All sensitive documents have been sealed in an enchanted vault that only you, Aurelius, and I can access.”
I nodded and moved to the bar, pouring four glasses of my finest champagne into volcanic glass flutes. I handed them out.
“I cannot congratulate you publicly, brother, but I would like to toast to you and Calpurnia for finding each other—and to Calpurnia’s promotion.”
Then I looked at my mate, glowing brighter than the candles. “— and to the apples.”
She mouthed the words:I love you.
It hit me suddenly—this was what a functional home should feel like. Surrounded by people who loved you. Who wanted to see you succeed. Not a throne room. Not a war table.
Just her. And the way everything around her started to change.
My father and our culture had poisoned my mind, convincing me females were lesser because of their physical and magical limitations.
