Page 31 of Shadows of Light
Sahira stood beside Lexi’s dad, and Kaylia stood next to Varo. It was a strong, united front, but Lexi was acutely aware of those who weren’t there.
“How are you, Yamala?” Lexi inquired.
As she spoke, Nithe leapt onto the arm of her throne. The small, red dragon settled like a cat on a couch; her tail even twitched while she watched the sirens.
Behind Yamala and her brethren, Maverick’s pack of lycans had spread out to line the walls. She didn’t know where Maverick was, but he’d ordered his men to watch over her while he was gone.
Mixed in with the lycans were assorted witches, crones, and dwarves. Over the past two weeks, all these factions had sworn fealty to her and the throne.
She trusted them and believed they would remain loyal to her… or at least she wanted to. Words could often be empty, pretty promises.
However, everyone in this room had fought to put her on the throne. So far, none had done anything to make her distrust them. But there were few she trusted completely anymore, and most were on the dais with her.
“We are well, Your Highness,” Yamala replied.
Her daughter, Cela, strode forward to stand beside her mother. Outside of the sirens, only she and Cole knew Cela was also the Lord’s daughter.
Even if she never did anything wrong, many immortals would gladly see Cela dead because of her heritage. Because of that, Lexi would take the secret to her grave… unless the sirens did something to disrupt the peace or tried to kill her; that would certainly change her perspective on things.
Her father wanted her to ask the sirens to pledge fealty to her while they were there. Lexi planned to feel them out first; an imposed vow of loyalty was almost useless.
Resting her hand on Nithe’s head, Lexi ran it down the dragon’s smooth scales. She preened beneath Lexi’s touch.
“How are you enjoying Dragonia?” Lexi asked.
“It is a beautiful realm, my queen,” Yamala replied. “We are grateful and lucky to have been invited to stay while we try to find another home. That’s why we’ve come today.”
When Lexi’s hand stilled on Nithe, two puffs of smoke escaped her nose. She huffed before lying on the arm of the throne. Lexi started petting the small creature again, and the baby dragon smiled as her eyes closed.
Yamala’s attention briefly shifted to the dragon before focusing on Lexi again. “We would like to return to Aerie.”
Lexi’s fingers stilled on Nithe. “The Lord destroyed Aerie.”
Technically, the dragons under the Lord’s command devastated the realm, but there was no reason to remind the sirens of that.
“It was, my queen, but we will rebuild it. Dragonia is beautiful, but it’s not our home. We miss the mountains and the sea. Aerie is in ruins, but we can make it ours again.”
What they missed most about the sea was luring mostly mortal, unsuspecting sailors to their deaths. Lexi disapproved of their lethal instincts, but she’d promised not to judge them and would uphold her promise.
“Aerie is your home; you’re free to return to it if you choose,” Lexi said.
Her father rested his hand on the arm of her throne and leaned closer to whisper in her ear. “They’re acknowledging they’re not free. This is their way of saying they recognize you as their ruler; they’re asking your permission.”
Lexi didn’t look at her dad as he rose and resumed his ramrod position with his hands clasped behind his back. Lexi studied Yamala, but she knew what she had to do.
It wasn’t a forced vow of fealty if the sirens came here expecting to make it. She suspected they’d done exactly that.
“You’re free to go… if you swear fealty to Dragonia and me,” she said.
Yamala bowed her head. “Of course, Your Highness.”
Lexi’s fingers curled into the arms of the throne while she kept her face impassive; she hated this part. It was degrading to her, but this vow was taken millennia before the Lord ruled here and would continue for years to come.
All the realms obeyed Dragonia; that was simply the way of things. She could change it, and she did plan on changing many things, but this was one of the things she couldn’t take away.
These vows of fealty would also show a stronger, united front to all who plotted to take her down. It might not be much of a deterrent to them, but it was something.
When Yamala, Cela, and the other sirens finished swearing their loyalty to her, Lexi rose and descended the steps of the dais. Her feet were noiseless against the stone floor as she walked out to Yamala and stopped before the tall, slender woman.
