“Great!” Lord Raje waved toward the main doors. “Let's go.”
I frowned at them. “I believe he wants to give me a private tour.”
“We're supposed to stay with you.”
“I'm not a king. You're here to ensure that I'm not taken hostage or anything. I'm fine. I'll be back in time for dinner.”
“Dinner.” Lord Anfar grimaced.
“What is wrong with you?” I looked from man to man.
Lord Raje blushed.
I narrowed my eyes at him. “What happened at dinner?”
Lord Anfar cleared his throat. “Nothing.” He smacked Raje. “We'll take a separate carriage, Lord Nadar, but we must attend you.”
“Fine.” I rolled my eyes. “Let's go then.”
As we walked out of the palace, out to the front courtyard, my thoughts returned to slavery. There were some Land Dragons who believed our race was superior to all others. I wasn't one of them, but I didn't mind their arrogance as long as they used their superiority to serve instead of dominate. I was of the belief that the Gods put Dragons on Serai to rule the other races because we were strong enough to protect them from each other. If we didn't make Serai better with our power, what was the point?
But even the most arrogant Land Dragon kings, who contributed nothing to Serai, still didn't believe we had the right to enslave the other races. Rule, yes. Enslave, never.
There was an open carriage waiting at the bottom of the palace steps. I went up to it. “Hello, there. Are you waiting on the King?”
“Yes, my lord.” The Gashi man bent his head.
“We'll be needing another carriage for my guards.”
“Oh, uh.” He looked up, over my shoulder.
“Nadar?”
I turned to see Jucai coming down the palace steps. My guards separated to let him pass, two to either side.
I inclined my head. “Your Majesty.”
He waved at the carriage. Black enamel with gold accents, the carriage had an extravagant look. Blue velvet seats gave a pop of color, as did the blue uniform on our Gashi driver. I stared at the blue sea dragon on his tunic. Dragon kingdoms on land never used dragons on their kingdom's device. It felt unnecessary.
The driver jumped down, bowed to us, and opened the carriage door.
“I was just telling our driver here that we'll need another carriage for my guards.” I motioned at them.
Jucai frowned from me to them. “If I have no need for my guards, you shouldn't either.”
“I tried to leave them behind, but they are quite adamant.”
Jucai strode over to them. They backed up in unison. I had to press my lips together to keep from laughing. If they had completed their training, they wouldn't have retreated.
“You will await your master here,” Jucai growled.
“Uh, they are not slaves, Your Majesty,” I said.
“They serve you, do they not? That makes you their master.”
My guards did not like that. They scowled at the King and me.
I shook my head. “I am not their master. I'm not anyone's master.” I shifted my gaze to my guards. “I'm in no danger, and the King prefers you to remain here. This is called diplomacy.”
