Page 108 of Wings of Ice and Steel

‘You will keep quiet, Lucius. We need to figure this out. And figure out who else is confused by their actions. Until then, you say nothing to no one. Understand?’ He softened his eyes, not meaning to be harsh but Lucius too easily put himself at risk. He had been increasingly volatile since witnessing the Council’s treatment of Ariadnne, now wound to geyser-like heights.

Lucius’ bicep quivered, but he fixed his gaze forward and stayed silent. Sol sighed in relief; there was something in Lucius’ draconic make-up that drew him to Ariadnne. Hells, from the looks on the other varanyen’s faces, they all felt that way. The Council might try to repress those bonds, and gods knew they went to great lengths to keep Ariadnne apart, but one thing was for sure; the spectacle the Council had made of Ariadnne in the dining hall would not have sat well with any varan there.

A hush fell over the assembled crowd as all seven faces of the Council strode from the castle towards a raised platform, each striking in matching maroon robes. Councillor Jagen stepped forwards, his lion-like presence commanding the attention of every fae gathered.

‘Dragons. Handlers. Warriors,’ he boomed. ‘It is with a heavy heart that I must report our varanya’s escape. Instead of trusting the process of the Guild, and accepting that we would have ensured that the White Knight had a fair and impartial trial, she has taken matters into her own hands and stolen our general’s murderer from under our noses. We cannot let this stand.’

Sol’s jaw clenched as Jagen surveyed the faces before him, his eyes flashing steel. Once, Sol would have been drawn in by Jagen’s confident air, but now his words fluttered with falsities.

‘This Guild is a haven for any shifter of dragon blood. We have stood by you through thick and thin, raising you to greatness, but our Guild will only survive if we stick together, if we trust each other. It will only survive if this house remains the true and only seat of the dragons.’ Jagen’s hands planted firmly on his hips. Interspersed amongst the crowd were some shifting figures who, perhaps, were as uncomfortable as Sol with the narrative being sold.

The Councillor cleared his throat. ‘It is our duty to bring the varanya back to the fold and show her the error of her ways. To bring the killer of Melixanthe to justice, if she still lives. Now, I, more than anyone, would like to resolve this matter peacefully and bring our Ariadnne back to us. I would like things to return to the way they were. However, it is unlikely she will come quietly in her current mindset. So, to aid you in incapacitating her with minimal harm each company will be provided with a supply of dragonsbane.’

A ripple of surprise went through the crowd, and Lucius growled, mirroring the disgust Sol experienced.

Jagen continued regardless, ‘I hate to be the one who has to utter these words, but if you fail in finding a way to return Ariadnne to us, then, for the safety of our future, you may have no choice but to eliminate her.’

This time a collective gasp sounded, and Sol couldn’t keep it from his own lips. Jagen’s words confirmed his fears—that as far as the Council was concerned, no queen was better than an errant one. His pulse thundered in his ears.

‘As painful as it may be, it is safer for our future for her not to exist than to continue on outside of these walls.’ The Councillor bowed his head as if in grief, before waving an arm to the skies dramatically. ‘Now, go prepare yourselves. You will search every inch of this continent. Every forest, mountain top, village and city. I have faith in you. She cannot hide forever.’

Without waiting for a reaction, the head of the Council turned on his heel and strode off the platform, the other six members falling in line.

Sol clenched his jaw.

‘Well, old friend. I suppose we need to try and find her first.’