Chapter 41

Grace

Yesterday’s meeting with the All King was a snore fest compared to today. We’d been here for at least 3 hours, and now it was noon. I ‘behaved’ for the surprise he had planned for us. Where we were going, or what we were doing after all this, I had no idea…. And it made me want to link him while they spoke.

I couldn’t understand the conversation among the Royal court of my mate. It realistically didn’t matter, because… well… the rebels had been turned to Omegas… the artifacts were still in my mate’s pocket, since he refused to wear them, but he also refused to let them sit somewhere.

I sat at the head of the conference table with my mate. He seemed relaxed as they spoke, while. The rest seemed to be much stiffer. It reminded me of how meetings looked with Tyson…. Back before all this.

“Rrek nah vaz ak near.” Said Aureuas. Now that I could decipher that the growls were words, next I needed to figure out what those words meant… it would probably take a week. We were blessed with language learning…. Not that me or my brothers Used it.

“English doesn’t hold as much meaning sire.” Said Sainevvi. He was right. There were highs and lows in their pitch. It reminded me of a growled version of birdsong if I had to describe it…. A Bad description, but Close…

“Too bad, if you need to clarify yourself, use draconic. We speak of the witches stealing living scales in Tussan.” He said petting my hair. “Inaction makes them worse. I Know witches. I learned mortal ways from them…. I need to speak with the local coven leader, then if they persist, who here is… level 5 magic resistant?” He asked.

They all looked at each other.

“The Witches have a grading system. Level 0 means spells of any kind work on you, level 5 means nothing will work.” Aureus had a sip of tea. “And whoever put lavender in my elderberry tea, Thanks for the enthusiasm, but I fucking hate lavender.”

One of the Omegas bowed, looking nervous.

“I’m sorry sir.” Said the male with electric blue hair. I believe he was one of the formally rebellious Omegas. They were stripped from their powers… and they were also stripped of understanding or speaking draconic. It was Why they spoke in draconic.

“It’s fine.” Said my mate dismissively.

Something as simple as his tea being wrong made them ready to kill that man, but it was also understandable. They Were traitors. It wouldn’t be too far of a stretch to think they tried to poison the crown, not that they can. Kings revived… but not many knew that.

“The other order at hand is the tension made between the King of Wolves and yourself sire.” Said Saiyoken. “I know King Tyson… I believe it best I go as a representative to his home pack.”

“He isn’t at the castle?” I asked.

“No my Queen. He has been bouncing back between them both. RoyalMoon in Grandia and OpalMoon in Missoura are both under his watch.” Said Saiyoken.

….He was running himself ragged trying to serve his people … and trying to keep the load of an additional pack off father.

“I’m going with you.” I said firmly.

“No.” They all said at the same time.

“I can tell you wish to visit because he’s your brother… and you are emotionally motivated.” Said Aureus. “It isn’t that we don’t think you’d do well, it’s that I feel he’s going to double down if he sees you.” Said my mate, putting his hand on mine.

“… I know you’re right, but I still hate that Kaizen is a vagabond…” I mumbled.

“All the more reason that you Shouldn’t go. Your feelings and his feelings about it will be too strong. Saiyoken is only going to keep our ally an ally. We don’t have Kaizen…. But I will not go back on my word.” Said Aureus. “I think that’s it for today.”

“Fine. Go and smooth over our argument, since technically we don’t have a reason to fight yet.” I said seeing Saiyoken bow and leave.

“Alright. I’ll see you all this time next month. My goal is that eventually, we can reduce these meetings to however frequent they were before my reign.” He mumbled.

They bowed at the table.

“We used to meet every third moon. It made things easier.” Said Sainevvi.

“Alright.” Said Aureus. “Now I need to call the coven. Anyone know what’s its name?”

“Amazonite Coven.” Said Saika.

With a nod Me and Aureus were in our private office. Terra was in her office, typing away.

“Sir, you have a 4:30 meeting with the CEO of Keybler, Mr. Ebonblade.” She said casually.

He froze.

“In person or over the phone?” He growled… it made Terra nervous.

“In person.” She said quietly.

He snarled. “When I get my hands on that DAMN Cookie Baking, Light Licking ELF I’m shoving so many cookies up his ass, he’ll vomit Another Brand Altogether!” He roared. “Oh… Forgive my over enthusiasm.” He chuckled. “I just Really hate that guy.”

“I imagine you would… he stole the Garner account…. The diamond broker Garner…. ”

“What! When was this?!” He growled. “Never mind, I know when. I bet it was sometime this week. He KNEW I was busy.”

“You’re right sir… but why so much… hostility with the elves?” Asked Terra.

“Also …. What would pastry elves need with diamonds?” I asked.

“They use the diamonds to imbue their taste with purity and nostalgia… something not many can Taste par say, but it is as addictive as the unicorn sweat sugar they use.” He grumbled… he glared at the cookies on Terra’s desk… and she looked concerned.

“Someone’s Sweat is in this?! EW!” She screamed and he Laughed.

“It’s just a magic component. The sweat’s distilled to granulated sugar just like sugarcane, except the source is different. To my knowledge, only a half cup’s worth in an entire batch is needed… They use beaver butt as fake vanilla and beetle secretions makes candy shiny.” He grumbled. “And don’t get me started on hotdogs and other blended meats.”

“Stop Mr. Midas just Stop.” She said completely grossed out.

…. I kind of was too… but it wouldn’t stop me from eating any of that stuff. I grabbed a cookie.

“It’s still good.” I said with my mouth kind of full.

“Really?” Asked my mate, shaking his head.

“What? It’s Good.” I said offering him a bite. He declined.

“I’ll buzz you if I need something.” Said my mate.

“Alright sir.” She said relieved that we were leaving so she could freak out. She’d eaten quite a few with her coffee.

Once we sat down, the plan was to call the witches. Their leader answered the third ring.

“Amazonite Coven… I suspect since my Caller ID says ‘The Dragon King’, we’ve offended you.” She said stoically though… her voice was a little high pitched to be an adult.

“You Have. You have the one warning to stop hunting dragons, even the Rogues. Unless they are a threat, you may not take anymore.” He said firmly.

“I Need those scales; the best results we’ve gotten was from live.” She grumbled.

“What are you doing to my people?” He demanded.

“Only the Best technology against silver known to the world.” She said excitedly. I could tell by the sound of jars, she must have been in her office… and it was messy.

“Explain.” He said firmly.

“As you know, Real dragon scales are about as tough as they get…. I Failed time and time again, but each failure brings me closer. A Potion that gives the drinker Armor. Could you imagine? Silver arrows blazing from their gasoline, but unable to tear the flesh. It would be A Game Changer.” She beamed.

“The potion you seek is best left dead.” He said looking like he was debating on telling details. “In the beginning, the original Witch Queen made that potion. It turned out when her daughter tried remaking it, the main ingredient was other witches. You have to kill your own coven members to make one potion… so it isn’t worth it.” He said seriously. “Back then, there were plenty of opposing covens, but now, you’d just be committing murder.”

“There’s no way… I’ve spent 1,400 years on this, traveled all over the world, using hundreds of different supernatural components… and you’re telling me that I have to… do *Dark* Magic to achieve it?” She asked.

“I don’t know if you know this, but the original witch queen did side with the Horned One in exchange for power. It backfired when she tried using that power to save this world, rather than destroy. That’s the true reason she died.” He said looking at his claws. They were golden as well.

“I didn’t know that… we will shut down the use of live scales and switch to pre-shed, freely given ones… would that suffice?” She asked. “Maybe with so much time invested… a synthetic version can be made? Like… maybe a magical shield of scales instead. Our coven was made by the Lord of Mercy… He would surely disown us.”

“I won’t mind that, but as a pointer, combine dragon scales with shed tortugen shell…. I know they’re rare, but I know the Beast King has a breeding program for rare beasts.” He said simply.

I didn’t know what a tortugen was, but if the Beast King had them, it meant that it wasn’t a sentient creature. It was probably a really big turtle.

“I hadn’t come across those creatures originally living so far north, but I will definitely use my contacts to get his information.” She mumbled.

“Give me your cell number, and I’ll text you his office number and hours. They’re in Africa though, so the time zone is different.” He warned, saying goodbye, and hanging up. “That wasn’t so bad. Now I need to send some drakes that way to make sure they Actually stopped.” He said rolling his eyes.

“Oh Mr. Ebonblade, you’re early.” Said Terra. “I can buzz-” He cut her off.

“Please Stop staring at my ears.” He said walking to the door. He came and sat down… he relaxed them once he went through the door, but oddly enough… he seemed to be missing half his left one.

He was a pale skinned, white haired man, though unlike many supernaturals, he was chubby. He looked no older than 18, but his scent was older... Elves lived as long as we did, but they tended to be perfect, without scars… Which he did have a thin one across his neck. He also sported fangs, something most elves didn’t have.

“You Will show my secretary respect.” He growled.

“Then teach her to Respect your guests.” He huffed.

Aureus hummed. Ear staring was an insult to elves, since only purebloods could have long, thin ears... His were long, but not thin. It was also the source of their magic. “I come for a favor.” He asked putting the other piece of his ear on the table. “I was told dragon’s blood can help mend it. My healers can’t.”

“Wait… what did you do to warrant such a bad curse?” I asked.

“…. Well… I cheated…. On a witch…. I’m sure you guessed that.” He said sheepishly.

“…So… you come in Here… after you stole not One, not two… but Four of my accounts these past two years?” Said Aureus.

“What does that have to do with this?” He hissed in pain.

“I don’t know. You tell Me.” My mate said with folded arms.

“Look. I’ve been cursed by my ex, and I didn’t know who to turn to. Just help me out and we can end this beef.” He said holding his ear. It really looked like it stung. “Whatever you want within reason.”

“I want… 2%.” Said my mate.

“Ow… deal. And I know what you mean, you cheeky shit.” He grunted.

They shook wrists and the deal was struck.