Well. I got respect, but I’d never bowed like that to anyone. My da would have my head if he heard I’d prostrated myself to anyone, even to save him. I’d do it if I had to, but I bowed deeply at the waist and hoped that would be enough. Misha followed my lead. When no one gasped that we were being disrespectful and no guards came thundering to push us down, I let go of the breath I’d been holding and stood back up.
“Let me handle the introduction?” Misha murmured. “Then it’s all your show.”
I nodded, and he dropped my arm to step forward and offer another bow. “Honored Triad. I am Misha Novak, son of Petr Novak, who offered help and friendship to Li Chen many years ago. With me is my true mate, Rory O’Malley. I ask that Li Chen honor his favor, given to my father Petr so many years ago, by fulfilling my mate’s request.”
I was impressed. And so fucking turned on. He hadn’t shown a hint of hesitation. He hadn’t tried to take over. He was an alpha, through and through, who wasn’t afraid of the power his omega might wield.
The center dragon pressed his hands together in a triangle. “You say he is your mate, Misha Novak. But there is no mate bond between you. How can an alpha claim one as his true mate without truly claiming him?”
I blushed, damn Irish skin, and Misha glanced at me from the corner of his eye as if to ask, “Do you want me to field this one?”
Damn, he kept surprising me. I appreciated both his willingness to speak and his willingness to stay silent. I bowed just my head before speaking. “It is true, we are not yet bonded. It was only this morning that we scented each other, but it does not seem right to pursue our own satisfaction when my father is in such dire need of me.” Damn it, which one was he? Son or omega?
“You honor your father by your devotion,” the strong-jawed dragon shifter said. “Speak your request. We will listen.”
I told them everything Misha and his team had discovered. I explained that we needed someone to track the dragon. And I stood as tall and confident as I could as I looked the man in the eyes and made my request. “I don’t know much about dragons, but from what my mate has told me, only a dragon can track another dragon. Without your assistance, I lose all hope of finding my father. Will you help me?”
Misha tugged at the sleeve of my shirt, but I dared not break eye contact with the dragon, who stared unblinkingly back at me.
“I hear your request,” he said finally. “But I see nothing to be gained from helping one of our adversaries. He should not have been so careless or so foolish to put himself in such danger.”
“But what about your promise?” I blurted, my control and dignity falling away in desperation.
“That promise was given by my mate to the Novak line.”
I didn’t even have the mental energy to be surprised when he gestured to the small man on his left, though that was the only pairing I hadn’t imagined. The small man, Li Chen, I now knew, looked distressed, his hands clenching at the fabric covering his legs.
“And currently, you are not officially a member of that line.”
“So if we seal the deal, if I bear his claim, then you’ll help me?”
The dragon’s lips pressed into a thin line. “We would be honor bound, but it would displease me to be pressed into such a situation. And the displeasure of a dragon lasts as long as his honor.”
Misha tugged at my arm again, but I waved him away. What could he say that I hadn’t already said? I doubted he would turn me away if I asked him to mark me to save my father. Little about this mate thing was turning out like any of my dreams.
“Wei,” Li said in a quiet tone. “May we speak?”
Wei, the center dragon, raised his hand. “My heart, I know what you will say. You wonder what is the harm in assisting this young man? It is no great danger for one of ours to track another dragon. But consider, we do not know what clan this dragon belongs to. What if the O’Malley fox offended another family, and they are only acting as honor commands? And what will happen if we restore the old fox to his family? Will he then become our friend? I think not. We have opposed each other for too long.”
I dropped to my knees. “Please. I will promise whatever you want. Just please help me find my father. I ask for nothing more.” I bowed low to the ground as I had seen the others do earlier, my arms outstretched.
“Can you not see that he is true-hearted?” Li pleaded with his mate. “And it is my favor to give.”
“Absolutely not. You will not put yourself into danger, my heart. Especially not while—” He cut off whatever he was about to say abruptly. “I have spoken. Your audience is complete.”
I sat up, my shoulders drooping as despair washed over me. There was nothing more we could do. No other avenues to take. Misha kicked at the bottom of my foot and I turned to snap at him, but he thrust the lavender paper bag into my hands. The gift. Huh. I wondered if the meeting would have gone better if we’d started with that.
“Try it,” Misha whispered.
I got to my feet, feeling the uselessness of it all. A pretty flower wouldn’t make Wei Chen listen to his omega. He was too in control. Too domineering. But perhaps it would heal the Novak family’s connection to the dragons from any damage I had caused today.
“Thank you for listening,” I said, my voice as dull as the woman who’d escorted us to the throne room. “We have a gift, chosen especially for your mate. Regardless of your decision today, we would still like to give it as a sign of our gratitude.” Dead, hollow words.
I took the plant from its bag and held it out, feeling like I had more use as a shelf than as the son of O’Malley right now.
The bearded man who’d remained silent during our entire exchange suddenly stood. “Is that…” He jumped down from the dais with little apparent thought for dignity.
“Bruno—” Wei started then shook his head.
Bruno approached me, staring at the flower in wide-eyed amazement. “May I?”
I gave him the pot, my curiosity piqued, even through my growing sense of dread.
Bruno was surprisingly gentle with the flower as he caressed one thin petal with his thick, rough finger. “It’s a sky blue sun orchid. Critically endangered. Found only in Tasmania. How did you know?”
I felt weird saying Misha stalked Li Chen’s Facebook page, so I just did the head bow thing and said, “Though the Chen Triad is notoriously private, we do our research.”
It was then that it hit me. Chen Triad. Literally, they were a triad. How dumb and prejudiced had I been to miss that?
Bruno stared at the plant in wonderment for a moment more, then turned to face Wei. “I’ll do it. I will grant them their request of my own accord, in thanks for this wondrous gift.”
Defeat turned to shock as my brain processed Bruno’s words.
Li clapped his hands. “Oh, Bruno! Of course. What a perfect solution! And the Novaks will still hold the favor I owe them. It’s lovely.”
“How is that a perfect solution? Having Bruno help them doesn’t wipe away any of the potential political problems.” Wei threw up his hands in protest. “And yet I see with both of you pitted against me, I have little choice.” His words were stern, but he gave his two mates a small, indulgent smile. “But it will be I who fulfills the favor, not either of you. You are both too warm-hearted and will give more than is asked for.”