‘Because the men in my life are such exemplary models of self-control and virtue…’
‘Yet they get what they want, don’t they?’ my dragon countered.
‘I have a moral compass that I will not—’
‘Boring. Set some shit on fire. Live a little. Scorch his hair for betraying you. Burn your father’s moustache for annoying you. Do something to make me proud for once.’
‘Shall we?’ The Elder’s plummy voice tore me away from the heated discussion with my bonded. ‘What exactly were you doing in the Ortensiancourt?’
River squinted. ‘Didn’t we already tell you we needed to speak to the queen earlier today?’
His jaw tightened as he looked straight at me. ‘Now it’s going on record,’ the councillor said, ‘so instead of mouthing off to me, start answering the bloody questions.’
Before anyone else could speak, I scrambled for an excuse. ‘We needed to speak to my mother regarding a new family development. You see, I recently met my father. As you might imagine, it was quite a shock and called for a family discussion.’
Eyes snapped in my direction.
River’s gaze sharpened. He understood immediately.
‘Okay,’ Ramonds said, writing it down. ‘Who’s your sire?’
‘Friderick, pleased to make your acquaintance,’ father quipped from across me, bowing his head theatrically.
The councillor’s lips pressed into a thin line. ‘And where did he come from? Who is this mysterious father of yours?’
‘A human halfling,’ I rushed to say before he had a chance to speak for himself. Something wasn’t right here.
‘What heritage?’ Ramonds demanded, checking off a list of questions.
My mind recalled how easily Alec made his shadows seem like wind. ‘Air Kingdom.’
‘An air mutt,’ the councillor repeated as he wrote it down in his notepad in immaculate cursive.
Father sucked in a breath and turned to Miriam, as if expecting her to share his offence. She didn’t.
‘And as a mutt…’ Ramonds basked in my father’s soured expression. ‘Can you wield at all?’
He snorted. ‘A little something-something.'
The councillor sounded bored as he spoke, ‘The visitation period extends to six months. Thereafter, you’re required to register with the Council as a citizen.’
That would never happen.
‘Fret not, councillor,’ he said, his voice edged with irritation. ‘I intend to be on my way home right after this meeting.’
Everybody watched in silence. I knew I needed to step in but didn’t know what to say. My eyes snapped to Miriam, seeking help, but she looked too tired to care.
‘Do you dislike our kingdoms so much?’ A glint lit the Elder’s eyes. ‘Life in the human lands must be so much richer in experience. You certainly look like a busy, hard-working man. A farmer, perhaps?’
The Lord of the Isles let out a sinister laugh that promised trouble. ‘Entertaining you certainly feels like dealing with a load of crap. Sorry—manure.’
Ramond’s notebook slammed against the table, rattling our glasses. ‘Excuse me?’
‘Excused,’ father quipped. ‘Are we done?’
‘Did I say we were done?’ he seethed, and I tried to steer the conversation in another direction, but they spoke over me.
‘Perhaps I’ll visit that farm of yours one day,’ he warned, clicking his pen shut.
