Chapter 48

Grace

The flight home was uneventful with my mate and the combination of gum and mint oil rags….. This time he also wasn’t made fun of for it either, since Baigrah stayed at the castle. He thought it best that a brother be up there to monitor the Royal palace, in case anyone got any ideas.

We’d be up there again soon anyway. It was where I wanted to hold the meetings. That castle was too beautiful, and the scenery too natural to NOT visit there regularly… if it wasn’t for it being so far away, I really would live there…

“If you want, I could buy some land nearby the den, and we could live near the wolfpack.” He mumbled.

“…. Have you met the wolves here?” I asked as we buckled up. We landed.

“There’s no need too. They stay way out in the boonies, and they don’t really interact with the human world.” He commented.

“Fair enough. If they come to us, I’ll visit, but to be fair, my presence would only bring stress.” I said thinking out loud. “Like… My father took over the entire state of Missura… I don’t want them thinking that’s my intention.”

He chuckled.

“Nah, they’d just probably freak out. Why be an Alpha, when you’re already a Queen.” He said taking my hand. We were met by Sainevvi and Saiyoken, as well as a few Royal Guard who’d come to stay at our den.

They bowed, and we were escorted home without incident there too. For it, I was glad. The rebellion may have been squashed… Really quickly, but I still didn’t want to encounter any more strife.

As far as I could tell, but the documents they sent, the Dragon Lords did their jobs, and all their charges who lived under them were protected. I got in the car, and when we got off the elevator, I swear I heard talking.

Aureus got in front of me.

“I don’t know his majesty well enough to know if he’ll like this.” Said Othek.

“I mean, there isn’t Much to like.” Said someone I didn’t recognize.

“I feel like I’m making a macaroni project. This is stupid.” Said the other.

“It’s a Welcome Sign, not Arts and Crafts with Martha Stewby.” He growled.

The two men laughed.

“It’s crooked.” Said the first one.

“Even the cat hates it, look at um.” He must have pointed.

Snow meowed.

We opened the door.

“Shit… you both are early… Surprise sir.” Said Othek… His seriously stoic voice made me wonder did we walk into a welcome home party, or a funeral. His sons, however, looked exactly like him. The only difference was that one had ruby hair, and the other had sapphire.

“It’s nice to be home, and to see that you three reconciled.” Said my mate.

“Your highness… He talked sense into us. Regardless of blood ties, the Council’s stability goes Beyond our… distaste.” Said the red headed one. “I’m Chad, the ugly one’s Brad.”

They were identical.

“Well, if I’m the ugly one, you’re the Dumb one.” He grinned.

Aureus facepalmed.

“What’s all this about?” He asked.

Their little welcome sign was lumpy and crooked… but their hearts were in the right place.

The Dragon Council as well as the Executives from Golden Financial were up here. Atlas was holding a toy, along with Snow.

.... That cat looked Mad as Fuck….

“Put Snow Down.” Grumbled Aureus. He ran off to attack his cat tree…

Atlas sighed. “Sir, the den and the royals wished to simply have a bit of a party now that you’ve returned… We all kneel to you.” He bowed.

They all did.

“Let’s take it to the roof and invite the den. We can all get hammered and make a mess that ISN’T in my living room.”

“Ah, I’m a step ahead sir, follow me.” Smiled Atlas.

“The Squirt’s got taste.” Said the red dragon, Chad.

The Glare Atlas gave could melt ice, but he was no match for a drake of royal blood. Well maybe? I’d never seen him fight.

Regardless, we followed him to the roof, and many elves and dragons I didn’t recognize were here. It was sunny, and clear skied… and So Warm, 60F compared to the negative temps of Fairbank….

“Who’s all these people?” Aureus snorted, being handed some Fire Brand Whisky. It seemed that they made all kinds of alcohol… He handed the green haired Omega the glass, and took the bottle. “Go enjoy yourself. Tell the others that just because they made One mistake, I won’t take away their fun.”

He bowed without saying anything, but I could scent his nervousness…. Aureus was their king after all.

“They all pledged to the crown in blood sir.” Said Atlas. “You have a Real den now, about 400 drakes. We accepted everyone, even the weak and disabled. We knew you wouldn’t mind.”

“I don’t. You did good Atlas.” He patted him on the back. “Wolves call the title Beta… I would very much like to give you that title. In draconic, Grace, he holds the title of High Lord of the Den.” He smiled.

There was a pause, as if Atlas was trying to process it….

“I will do my job to the best of my abilities.” He bowed.

-----Aureus-----

I was a little overwhelmed by so many people…

Everyone wanted to talk to me, crowd me, take pictures with me… thank me…

Until recently, I nearly Enjoyed the ostracization. I ruled my own life… I didn’t have many people who needed me… but I looked at all the new smiling faces.

“Thank you, your highness.” Said Wyn. She was so small, I almost didn’t see her.

She bowed, but her hair was a little different. “If not for your blood, I would be dead.” Her hair had a pearl like sheen on it…no… it was made of pearl. It was iridescent and shined in the light…

“I see you found your beast.” I said giving her a small hug, but she was fully hugged by my mate.

“You’re still so Little.” Grace smiled.

“…. Yes your grace… I’m only 10 feet long, 5 feet high. I shifted at the doctor’s….” She said sheepishly.

That was Literally the Smallest dragon I’d ever heard of. Even Fresh Whelps are around 15 feet long… holy shit.

“Oh My Gods AH!” Grace Squealed. She then cleared her throat… She didn’t want people to see her soft side.

I left her to swoon over little Wyn, while I walked to the edge of the balcony. I looked down at my territory. I would get no more challenges… fuck this is going to get Boring… Deals might get easier too… and I own 2% of Ebonblade’s company…

So no more competition to an extent…

I’ll still patrol, and maybe tomorrow I’ll personally talk to all the new dragons… but for scenery, I’ll tell them to meet me on floor 25. It’s nice there… I might even hunt one of the stocked deer…

“Um Sir.” Said Atlas.

How long had I been brooding?

“Huh?” I asked.

“Wyn is stable… but before I court her… I would like to ask your permission, as custom.” He bowed.

I was the one who’s idea it was…. But I would take the role of her father in his stead. I’m sure no one would mind, as I was the family’s head. Should any of the fathers of my clan come to me, or are deceased, I will protect our females.

I would make this hard on him… but not Too hard. I just wanted people to know that no matter how small, even an Omega is priceless.

“You’re my Den Lord. I have no qualms with courting, but you Will go through the process to its entirety.” I said firmly. “You better hurry up though. These new dragons don’t know she’s my niece. When they do, the World will be her pearl.” I smiled at my pun.

“I saw her… she’s beautiful…. She’s nearly every color…” he said smitten. “We’ve been talking since I was the one who went to pick her up….” He mumbled.

“Once Grace is done, maybe fly somewhere private with her, and discuss the dowery. She is under My care, so for the sake of her protection, You must convince the King to give her hand away when the time comes.” I said sternly.

Wyn was Too sweet to be given away to Just Anyone…. But I would be alright with Atlas.