She felt like she was playing dress up. Every dragon there was going to know she was an imposter. Even her brown hair seemed to have an added shimmer, almost like dragon scales.
The shoes were high healed and butter soft, the same color as the dress with tiny gems embedded so that they shimmered a rainbow when the light hit them. She kept catching herself watching them when she moved her foot. She was forced to admit she liked the shoes.
Of course you do. And you look amazing in them, Ladon said, the exasperation with her thoughts clear. "But now we have to be off. The council is convening as we speak."
"Fine, but when I trip and fall on my face I'm going to tell you 'I told you so'."
As if either Eben or I would allow you to fall.
Morgan laughed at the dragon arrogance that assumed he could stop her from tripping on her own gown.
"Come, your other mate grows restless. We must be off."
Why do I feel like a herd beast being led to slaughter?
"Because you're a teeny tiny little human and you are going into a room with a dozen of the oldest and most dangerous dragons in existence?"
"Right. That's probably it."
"Don't worry puny human,” Ladon said, exaggerating his deep voice and patting her on the head. "I'll have the healer revive you if you faint from fear."
She slapped his hand away, the spark returning to her eyes. "And pigs will fly." She thrust out her chin and threw back her shoulders bringing majesty to the outfit that would rival any dragons. "Let's just get this farce done so we can get back to the children."
Ladon waited until she swept out of the room before he smiled.
Well done. Eben said via mind speech. Now who is going to protect the dragon council from our fiery tempered mage?
I will leave that to the council’s executioner.
Sigh. Somehow, I do not doubt that.
Chapter 10
If Morgan had not already seen Ebens home in the Forsaken Mountain, the council chambers might have been overwhelming. But she had seen it so she knew to expect the priceless gems embedded in the walls and the magic that swirled through the air, coloring everything in shimmering waves. At least that's what it looked like to her. Maybe a normal human would just see the raw gems in stonewalls. Even if that were all they could see, not having magic in their blood, they would have still wanted to gawk here. But they would have forgotten about all the rest the second they saw the dragons.
They glowed with beauty. Seeing so many and all together like this was almost overwhelming. That was the only word for it. They glowed, shimmered, and sparkled as if the jewels themselves had come alive.
There were four council members, one for each house, competing for the most ostentatious display. The rest of the dragons were warriors, obviously there as security, or possibly just tradition because the council members breathed magic. Morgan couldn’t imagine anyone challenging them. Besides Eben and one or two of the warriors, they were the oldest dragons, not in physical appearance but definitely in the press of their power.
Suddenly I don't feel so overdone.
Told you. Ladon laughed in her thoughts.
I believe they are becoming more ostentatious with age. Eben said blandly from close behind Morgan.
Ladon laughed again and then pulled Morgans hand up to kiss the inside of her wrist. Used to be dragons slept on their treasure, now they just wear it.
Eben sniffed his agreement and then pulled Morgans other hand to his lips to kiss the back of it. Come Shameaa, let’s show them what true treasure looks like.
He kept hold of her hand as he led her inside the main chamber. Ladon followed close behind them. As soon as they cleared the door, every eye in the place rested on them.
Why do they all look familiar to me?
You have seen our memories. I’m not sure how much of them you will retain but many things may seem familiar.
The council chamber itself was cavernous, especially considering how few dragons occupied it. They were not always going to be in human form. Morgan thought. She recognized Ryall from earlier, when he had come with his mate to heal Milly. He was guard here and stood lining the wall with a dozen others dressed in simple pants and tunics. Those dragons were armed with swords and knives.
Why do dragons need weapons?
Some foes must be fought as men rather than dragon. It is tradition to know all manner of battle. What you see here are the elite. Dragon Knights sworn into service to the Light. They carry out the laws of the council now, but in times of war, it is General Solan who leads the dragon army. Eben nodded to a man behind the council members. All dragons were big imposing men but he was something all together different.
Like Eben, he favored black from head to toe. If the council members were jewels come to life he was obsidian, all sharp edges and hard planes. His black hair seemed to swallow the light that touched it so that it felt like you could get lost in the dark cloud. He held it back from his face in a severe style that accented his sharp cheekbones and slightly slanted eyes. Eyes that were quicksilver and saw everything. Even for a dragon, he was scary. The only part of him that seemed remotely soft was his lips, which looked surprisingly lush. Like all the guards, he wore no amulet of his house.
He is of the warrior house now. They give up their house when they take vows. He was born into my house originally.
House of water then. Morgan thought. Vows? Like priests?
Ladon snorted beside her. But it was Eben who continued to answer her.
Nothing so severe as all that. They are warriors of the Light.
That fuck everything that moves. Ladon added blandly. Then pulled Morgan into his side when he noticed she had started to draw a great deal of attention herself. Try to worry less about General Solan’s lips and more on our business here.
I can do both. She assured him, but turned to study the council members themselves. There were four dragons sitting in throne like seats behind a slab of gold veined marble. Each wore garments so covered in precious gems that they must clank when they walk. They were dressed to emphasize their house so it was easy to tell which was represented and by who.
Lord Bochus is the great beast in red. Ladons thoughts were filled with distaste. But it was a good description as he was dripping in red gems and was as wide as he was tall. Not fat exactly but stocky and with his gold hair and blue eyes he was still lovely, but there was an arrogant pinched look on his face that distracted from that beauty. She didn’t like him, and she wasn’t sure if that was her own quick decision or the influence of Ladons emotions. He really didn’t like him. Then she caught something else.
You think he was the one who betrayed you?
The thought crossed my mind. Everyone knows Bochus hates me and the fact that I will one day take his place on the council.
A preemptive strike? To keep his seat?