Chapter 47

Chapter 47
“Hydra.” Rancor steps closer to me and I flinch back, grateful when Falkor steps between us as a buffer once more. I’d much rather stare at his chest than at the man who denied me six years ago. 
“My Prince, think you should give her some time.” I hear Hayden address Rancor, and I’m surprised he still hasn’t ascended the throne, but then again, if the bond between us is still alive, he couldn’t have fully tied himself to another and he would never ascend without a proper Queen by his side. That’s the thing that separated us in the first place. His ego being bigger than the moon. 
“She is my Kin.” Rancor’s words slice through my chest like a sharp knife, and I have to cling to Falkor to not double over from the pain, his arms wrapping around me tighter. 
“No, she’s not.” Hayden insists, a hard edge to his voice. 
“The bond is still there; you sensed it as well as I did.” Rancor argues and his voice makes me want to puke. 
“I think we should pay a visit to the council. If we don’t make use of them while we have them, then what’s the point?” Falkor suggests already moving us towards our car, not giving either Hayden or Rancor a chance to argue, not that I think they would. The drive to the council’s quarters is tense, at least for me as I try not to be sick with the thought that I’m still tied to a man who thought his reign was more important than his Kin. 
“What would be the meaning of this?” Kiros asks as he steps into the living room, ten minutes after his servant went to inform him of our arrival. “Oh, King Hutting, Beta Valentine, you look unsettled dear child.” I glance over at Rancor and without a word it seems like Kiros understands what is happening here. 
“Not here a few hours and there is already trouble brewing?” Maximus asks as he enters the room, Tash following in his footsteps and I inwardly groan at having three of the council heads witness this. 
“It seems we have an interesting situation.” Kiros looks over at Tash, eyes gleaming. 
“He denied me. Years ago. There can’t still be a bond. Can there?” I feel hysterical, anger rising inside me that I know is not my own, but my dragon’s. 
“Did you accept it?” Tash asks, his voice a deep soothing drawl in the middle of the chaos. 
“What?” I look at the ancient dragon in confusion. 
“He denied you, but did you accept it? A bond cannot be broken unless both parties who are involved agree that it is to be terminated. With denial comes accepting. That’s the way it works.” He patiently explains and I feel like I’m going to be sick, because no. I never accepted anything. I watched him walk away from me and then ran away from home without telling him that I accepted his denial. 
“Can’t I just do it now?” Rancor looks panicked and for the life of me I can’t think why he would be. He didn’t want me. 
“You could, but then you would also forfeit the games.” Maximus chimes in and I look at him with wide eyes.
“On what grounds, my Lord?” Falkor asks, composed as always. 
“A denial of a Kin makes the parties weak. It would take Beta Valentine at least a week to recover from that blow and we simply don’t have a week. She needs to be at her best in the games, otherwise all the other Beta’s have an unfair advantage over her, and we don’t do unfair advantages, King Hutting. She can accept the denial now, but she will not move forward in the games, let that be clear.” I shake my head. 
“No, there is no way.” Rancor looks relieved, Hayden looks worried and Falkor has no visible emotions on his face. “We can wait until after the games. If he agrees to stay away from me, I will not cross his path, and we can get this over with after the games.” All eyes turn to Rancor, who looks a little stunned. 
“Do you agree to these terms, Prince?” Tash asks, and Rancor nods. 
“Yes, I do.” Relief floods through my bones, until another thought dives up. 
“He denied me. He can’t reverse that now, right?” Kiros looks like he’s going to break out in laughter, and Tash shakes his head, amusement clear in his eyes. I feel a little miffed that they think this is a joke, but we’re pups in their eyes, so I don’t think there is much we do that doesn’t amuse them. 
“No, unless you chose to seal the bond though accepting his mark, he has no claim on you, child.” Tash assures me and I almost sag in relief. 
“If we’re done here, we have other matters to attend to.” Maximus says, leaving the room with Tash following close behind him again. 
“Beta Valentine, it has been a while. Are you well child?” Kiros’ question catches me slightly off guard, the concern in his eyes, something I am not used to seeing from a council head. They’re always quick to the point and have little to no patience with matters that does not concern them. 
“Under the circumstances, I cannot say that I am unwell, my Lord.” He nods, looking me up and down before his gaze drifts to Falkor. 
“I trust you will take care of her. A dragon who neglects his treasure is a disgrace to us all, King Hutting.” Falkor bows his head deeply before looking at Kiros again. 
“I will protect her with my life.” It’s not the first time he has made the promise but it somehow feels more weighted in the presence of a council head. 
“Let us hope it doesn’t have to come to that. If you’d excuse me.” He leaves the room and Rancor storms off shortly after. 
“Sister, you always did know how to make a splash.” I glare at Hayden who laughs. “Why don’t you give me your number and I can send it to mom and dad?” I nod, taking his offered phone and saving my number in it. “I’ll see you around.” With a final hug he leaves the room, Falkor and I following behind shortly. The drive back the chalet goes by in a blur, not giving me nearly enough time to compose myself before we get back to our clan. 
“What happened?” Gina and Kayla chorus as we enter the communal area. Gavin and Sam rise from the couches and a few warriors even step closer, all with concern evident on their faces as I look towards Falkor with no idea how to even formulate what just happened.