They had explored many hidden caves that humans had yet to find. Some had treasure in them. Others contained other artifacts the mortals would likely put in museums so others could pay to go and look at them. He and Merrill left things as they were.
Varek had been happy that Merrill had talked him into swimming. It wasn’t as nice as flying, but being in the water in their true form had been almost as exhilarating. The deep ocean allowed them to stretch their wings and glide through the currents as neatly as if they were air. Now, Varek understood why Merrill often sought out lochs and other waterways, especially when the need to shift and fly came upon them.
The days turned into weeks as the two of them explored island after island, always at night so no one saw them going into the water and shifting. Varek had swum with a pod of dolphins and whales. He’d even been tempted to continue swimming far out into the vast ocean where no one would ever see him and then launch from the water into the air. But with satellites, it would cause too much of a stir, which was why none of the dragons shifted where any mortals might see them.
It wasn’t long before he and Merrill found feminine company. The woman Varek had chosen was in her mid-forties with a sadness about her that told of past pain that had left deep scars. She had been lonely—as had he. Those nights together had been a respite both needed. She’d never spoken of her pain, but she didn’t need to. He’d seen it in too many women who’d spent years if not decades married to someone who abused them. Or cheated on them. Or simply didn’t love them as the women needed.
The woman on the isles ended things between them early. Varek would’ve continued seeing her until he and Merrill returned to Dreagan, but he didn’t try to stop her or question her. To his delight, when she left, her smile was brighter, and she didn’t look as if she had the weight of the world on her shoulders anymore. It was then that Varek began walking around the isle. Merrill was otherwise engaged with his female companion, and Varek liked the time alone with his thoughts.
On one of those walks, he’d found something, but he couldn’t remember what it was. He knew he had been excited about it and wanted Merrill to see. He’d gone to get his friend and then rushed back.
And…that’s all he could remember. Varek wracked his brain for more but only managed to make his head hurt worse.
Chapter Three
“What?” In shock, Jeyra gawked at the council before her.
Arn, who sat in the middle, stared at her with beady, cold, blue eyes. He was clean-shaven, his thin, gray hair cut short. His pale skin was wrinkled with age, and his lips were so thin, they were nearly nonexistent. He wasn’t known for his mercy or kindness. But he was fair, which was why he had been elected. Since he had served on the council for a few terms already, he was the leader, the one who ran the meetings and became the deciding vote if the other four were divided.
“You caught the Dragon King. Now it is up to you to learn all his secrets,” Arn stated.
Jeyra swallowed, trying to keep control of a situation that was rapidly spinning out of control. Her gaze rose to the ceiling painted with a picture of the village in its prime. Three large windows graced the walls on either side of her. Behind her was a door that led outside, guarded by two men—one inside and one out. In front of her, the council members were seated behind a wooden table, polished to a high shine and devoid of any decoration. On either side of the table stood the two highest-ranking warriors—one of them Rankin.
Jeyra glanced at him, but his gaze was elsewhere. They hadn’t spoken since he had carried the King to the village. Jeyra’s heart hurt for the loss of friendship—and even family—she had shared with Rankin.
But he had made his choice.
Just as she had.
She lifted her chin and tried to keep her breathing even, despite the panic swirling dizzily inside her. Her stomach churned, and nausea set in, but she refused to be sick in front of the council. At least their meeting had been done in private so the public couldn’t see or hear anything.
Arn narrowed his eyes. “That isn’t a request, Jeyra.”
“I’m not an interrogator,” she argued in a soft voice. The last thing she wanted was to show any disrespect or anger. If she did, things could go very, very badly for her. “I’m a warrior.”
Fu lifted a perfectly arched black brow and said in a cultured voice that showed the nobility she had been born into, “The King is your prize. Therefore, it is up to you to gain what we seek.”
Jeyra stared into Fu’s narrow, hooded, dark eyes. The councilwoman’s thick, black hair was pulled up in an elaborate style that, along with the tailored gown and jeweled armbands she wore, proclaimed Fu’s wealth and position. She was tall, thin, and bony with pale skin. And she wasn’t one to be trifled with. Ever.
“There are others trained in interrogation who would be more suited,” Jeyra replied.
The last place she wanted to be was with the Dragon King. All she wanted was to see his death, and then she could carry on with her life. She had expected him to be executed already. Now, she realized what the holdup was—everyone feared him. Even bound as he was and unable to do magic.
Although, it might be a good thing they wished for her to talk to him. At least then, she wouldn’t have to worry about the King telling anyone that she had crossed the border. Or hired the old crone to open a portal.
Magic simply wasn’t done in the city—any of their cities. Magic was feared by all. It was considered evil, malicious, and revolting. But no one needed to know that she had stooped so low to achieve her dream of bringing a Dragon King to justice.
Jeyra looked at each of the five council members. Two men, three women. All powerful and influential people who could make her life hell. It was obvious by their looks of impatience that they had come to this decision unanimously, and the fact that she still stood before them questioning their demands didn’t sit well with them.
More arguments filled her mouth, but somehow, Jeyra kept them to herself. She bowed her head. “I will do as commanded.” When she straightened, she looked at Rankin once more, but he still wouldn’t meet her gaze.
Jeyra turned on her heel and walked out of the room, leaving the council, Rankin, and the other warriors behind. The moment she was out of the building, she walked around the side and leaned against the stone structure to drag in huge gulps of air. She bent at the waist and braced her hands on her knees as she breathed through her mouth while her heart raced.
“Shite. Shiteshiteshiteshiteshite,” she murmured.
Nothing was going to plan. She had been so proud of herself for capturing a Dragon King. She hadn’t cared what she had to do to get him because she had honestly believed he would be killed for his crimes.
She slowly straightened as she thought about that. Why wasn’t the council preparing for the King’s death? Why were they so adamant about learning what he knew? They had spoken to Dragon Kings before. It had been years and years ago, but it wasn’t as if this was the first time they’d had one in their midst or within their grasp. What was so different about him? Surely, they didn’t know he wasn’t of this world. Perhaps they wanted to trip her up. Make her look weak. Maybe they were looking for a reason to release the King.
“That’s not going to happen,” she said between clenched teeth and pushed away from the building.