Chapter 39

Grace

I had my eyes gently closed in the car…..

I felt like… like this would be Over.

Today….

It felt almost like a message was sent to me, but I chose to ignore it for now. If it was the truth or not... so long as this was resolved, I would be happy.

I looked out the window as he drove. I wasn’t thinking about anything in particular… other than the fact that I’m taking the scales off that dragon assassin. I’m taking his pelt and putting it on the office floor…

“That’s kinda hot.” Said my mate with a smile.

I got a call on my phone before he could start with his corny jokes to cheer me up.

“Do you like the little trail of breadcrumbs?” Asked the dragon who attacked me, Theo.

“This is really cliché…. Why don’t you skip to why you’re doing this and where we can meet?” I asked sternly.

“…. Well you’re no fun. My organization has been around since the War. We back the True King... the Master… now that the Copper King is Gone, we intend to inherit his crown, and be the first race to rule by a senate.” He said sternly.

“That doesn’t work with dragons.” Said Aureus, and I knew Theo could hear. “Just meet me in the Red Room. Bring your leaders. I feel like we should try and talk first. Hell, if you Do end up killing me, the crown’s yours.” He yawned. “The only thing you have to lose, is face.”

The line was mostly quiet, but I could hear the distorted whispers.

“We’ll be there at 5.” Said Theo hanging up. It was 4:40

“That was fast…” I mumbled.

“There’s probably unrest. You didn’t die, Wyn’s fine, the arson attempts at Golden Financial this morning didn’t work. They’re desperate for results.” He said casually.

“They What?” I demanded to know details.

“I thought I told you… Some ass-hat with blue pine resin and matches tried getting past the werebear security. It’s why I hire all races. Their noses got him before he could even twist off the cap.”

“I want to fight Theo again.” I said firmly.

“He’s your opposite. You’ll stalemate at best, die at worst.” He said shaking his head. “As a dragon, I’m immune to his tricks.”

“Then at least let me fight.” I growled.

“…. That doesn’t sit right with me…. Plus, you were Already a target. They know you’re my mate…” he pulled into the garage of Golden Financial, but instead of going upstairs, he went with me to the Red Room.

The arena still looked the same… but the old dragon king’s scent still lingered… it wafted around ever so slightly…. It almost felt like a hand was on my shoulder.

“Please… go up to the viewing booth. It’s magically protected, but more importantly, you’ll have a bird’s eye view. Plus, on top of That, your links to me are private. Mind-splittingly filled with static, but private all the same.” He said honestly.

“Then I’ll cooperate….” I huffed.

He kissed me on the forehead. “That’s the spirit.”

He unlocked the viewing booth, and I locked the door from the inside. Precautions were made that I really was the only person in there, while he went down, and sat in a lawn chair, in the center of the arena circle.

-----Aureus----

I found it weird… they agreed to this…. It had to be someone I knew, or at least, someone who was pissed at my past. That could literally be anyone.

Though at 5, I saw them enter. They were escorted by the Dragon Royal Court…

There were three. One held a steel-blue ponytail, that was Theo. He was a dark-skinned drake in mortal form, holding yellow eyes like citrine…. He had the Earring of War around his neck, while a dragon who had… wooden scales held the other around his. That had to be another mutation… His hair was a ponytail of vines and leaves, though his skin was bark. The third glittered like diamonds… His pale skin and blue eyes reminded me of myself if I were made of something else.

He was a half brother.

“I am Theo, this is Oakheart. We come with the Diamond One.” Said the steel blue dragon.

“We wish to share words.” Said Oakheart.

“I understand the whelps next to you swarming around our father’s death like jackals, but why You brother?” I asked. “When you are made of diamond?”

“Ah, I had nothing to do with this. I came to be a mediator. I work for the Goblin King. He gave me the day off.” He grinned. “I’m Braigrah Flametallon, the Mighty One. By the name, you can tell I speak the truth.” He too was an unclaimed son of the King with that last name, nor was he given ‘Sai’….

“Aye. What do you do for him? Trade your scales for cash?” I asked. It was a genuine question. We shook wrists.

“No. I’m a pilot. I used to freelance, but since father didn’t claim me right, it was safer to be with them.” He said grabbing a chair, confirming my suspicion.

We both sat across from each other, while the little cur Theo and the tree bark drake sat beside Braigrah.

“Then let’s cut to the chase. What will make this stop?” I asked. “And You, you little worm, I don’t think you’ll make it out of here alive.” I grumbled.

“Your head presented to the Master.” Growled a fourth dragon. He held ruby hair, that was pretty clear like a gemstone…. Another half brother it seemed… one I knew.

“Raza, the master does not want war. He has his mate, and his parents are Free.” I said facepalming. “I Already spoke with him.”

“He does not speak to the Likes of You Traitor.” He hissed.

“He doesn’t care. I’m warning you. Look around. How many decades since he’s awakened? How long as it been since the humans knew Real fear?’ I asked. “How do you think the master will react if he has to leave his duties to deal with us?”

The last question made him hesitate.

“….With both earrings…. I could defeat you.” He warned.

“To become the king, you must kill the King in Fair Combat.” I said standing. “So if you cannot best me as we are, then you will not kill me.” I got up and walked until I could glare him in his red eyes.

He was the first and only ruby dragon… Many a town was felled by the master’s command… and later by Raza’s own will… he wanted carnage…. Not the restart of the war.

He submitted by looking down. He kneeled, but I grabbed Theo by the throat this time beheading him. I let the body fall at the kneeling feet of Raza.

I could only assume that Theo was silently ordered to stab me in the back, with the respect as a decoy.

Needless to say… Raza and Oakheart were surprised.

“Cheap Tricks don’t work on me. You have to be faster than that.” I grumbled. I took the damn thing out Theo’s ear.

It pulsed in my hand…. Like it wanted me to wear it.

I held onto it, while my Council Members came to aid me. Oakheart tried escaping, but was no match for my mate’s speed…. She teleported a total of 3 times. The first one tripped him, the second time, she held a staff, and the third time, she swung it down….

She was not fighting her opposite this time... She beheaded him before his back fully touched the ground… She stood there with her small flame flicking between her horns, and her eyes were wrong. They reminded me of the Tyrant King’s… though her whites were a dark brown, and her iris was a deep, clear red…

“Here, Aureus.” She said tossing his head to me after she retracted her horns.

Raza caught it, but before he could finish ripping out the earing and putting it on, I slapped him with the back of my hand.

He fell to the concrete, as it took the air out his lungs.

“Last time I checked the only ‘Aureus’ in here is Me.” I growled.

“Why have you not killed me?” Asked Raza…. He was being pitiful on purpose. I was stronger by a lot, but he wasn’t really making an effort to actually fight…

“Because then you’d be a martyr.” I said simply. “I Know there’s more than just You… If I imprison you, this won’t end… but I have a better idea.”

There was fear in his eyes, but as one who helped raze this world, he was good at hiding it to the untrained eye.

I pulled out my phone, and called Lord Xaxas. It rang about 7 times.

“What do you want?” He growled. “I Swear there better not be some rebellion going on.”

…He sounded like an angry father….

“Well… I have the ringleader right here.”

I handed Raza the phone.

Lord Xaxas sighed. “Raza…. you order a hit on my niece, you Make Trouble in my name; Give me a reason why I should let you Live?”

“Holy shit.” Mumbled Raza. “Um…”

“You took too long.” Said the High King.

Raza disappeared…

There was a bit of silence.

“I don’t care if you think it’s tattling or bullshit, or that I should have had some epic battle that leads to him being a martyr… Fuck it.” I said throwing my hands up. I put the pulsing earrings in my pocket. They were glowing but I wasn’t stupid.

I’m not wearing them.

I’m not giving them to the Church either… It could be used as a weapon against us.

“No… sir we just thought this would be ….” I cut Silver off. I could tell he’d come for his son’s sake.

“Harder? I did Too, but I’m happy with this.” I said shaking my head. “And Grace…. Your skills as a Warrior are Better than my generals…”

“I… I don’t remember what I did…” She said looking at the blood on her hands.

She must have reacted to save me…. That was a double edged sword.

“We’ll have to work on your control then.” I said hugging her. I wanted her to know that she hadn’t done anything wrong, but my shirt was covered in her tears anyway.

She didn’t say it, but I know why she shed those tears…. She hadn’t mentioned her brother, but he was who she thought of… that he was a fugitive because of her own brother.

“I am King, and you are My mate…. I would pardon the love of my life Grace… I’m not held up by some high and mighty sense of justice.” I mumbled.

“I’m a Child.” She growled at herself. “Why won’t they stop?”

“Because you care deeply, you can do nothing about your brother, you fear you will do the same thing he did, or walk the same path but the difference is that you Aren’t alone.”

My Council, both financial and royal, were silent. Their input wouldn’t help… and for a brief moment, I was Alone to soothe her tears.