Page 15 of Wicked Curses
Alina’s claws kicked against the rock as she approached the throne. Cole didn’t know where the wyrmlings had gone, but he hadn’t heard a peep since they disappeared behind the throne.
“Easy, Alina,” Lexi cautioned. “They’re not here to fight.”
“No, we’re not,” Queen Mira said as she rested a hand on her husband’s arm. He relaxed a little beneath her touch, but his eyes remained cold. “They take our children, or they did before we banned them from leaving the sea. So that means our children don’t see the sun or land until they’re grown. How is that fair to them?”
Those words were like a punch to Lexi’s gut as she blew out a breath of air. “It’s not fair to any of you, but I’m not keeping anything from you. I am the only arach left, and it took the combined powers of many to shut Dragonia off from other immortals. I can’t do it alone, but….”
She glanced at the dragons above and the guards at the back of the hall. She didn’t have many fighters to spare, but she was alive because of the merfolk, and their children deserved to grow up in peace. She owed them and would do what she could to repay that debt.
“I can send some guards back with you,” she offered.
Lexi looked to Alina before glancing at the dragons above again. She couldn’t volunteer them for anything they didn’t want to do, but they might be helpful here.
Cole’s hand fell away from her shoulder as she rose. “If you’ll excuse me for a minute.”
Queen Mira bowed her head, but King Firth remained rigid and annoyed. Lexi stepped around Cole to approach Alina.
Cole rested his hand on her arm, stopping her before she could get to Alina. He bent his head to hers and asked in a low murmur, “What are you doing?”
“I have to speak with Alina. I’ll be right back.”
He glanced at the dragon before releasing her arm. When he stepped back, shadows crept across his face and through his eyes. He was drawing them to him, which made her uneasy, but she could take them from him later if necessary.
Lexi swept past him and over to Alina, who twisted her head and lowered it so Lexi could talk to her. “I’d like to send some dragons back with them. Are there two or three who’d go with them?”
“For how long?”
“Long enough to make it clear to other immortals that no one can mess with the merfolk without dire consequences. Their presence will show Atlantia is protected by Dragonia. If the dragons decide not to stay, they can switch off with others.”
“That would be preferable for them,” Alina said. “And many will volunteer for it.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. Tell them the dragons will help protect their children.”
When Lexi rested her hand against Alina’s cheek, the dragon leaned closer before Lexi reluctantly turned away. She resumed her throne and settled in as she focused on the merfolk.
“I can send some guards and dragons back with you. They’ll switch off with others and will help protect Atlantia.”
Mira glanced from her husband to Alina. “We don’t want dragons in Atlantia.”
“You have nothing to fear from us; we will not hurt you,” Alina said as she reclaimed her place behind the throne.
King Firth almost dropped his trident, and Queen Mira stepped back as the other merfolk gasped. “Ittalks,” one of them whispered.
“Yes,shedoes,” Lexi said.
“My fellow dragons will understand they’re not to harm any of the merfolk,” Alina continued. “They will only protect you as they seek to destroy any who attack you.”
“This is the best I can offer you,” Lexi said. “You can take some guards and a couple of dragons back with you to Atlantia, or I can offer you carisle as a monetary reward for what you did. You could also wait until you can think of something else you’d like as repayment for your help.”
Firth looked from her to Alina and back again before he bowed his head. “We will take the dragons. If they attack my people—”
“Thatwon’thappen,” Alina vowed.
Firth started to say something again but changed his mind. “Then we look forward to this partnership.”
“Good,” Lexi said as she rose from the throne again. “Would you like to join us for dinner?”
