For the second time in two days, Drayce found himself knocking on the door of his father’s office, seeking entry for a serious discussion.
Once given entry, he sat down in the same chair he had the day before, and his father, astute as ever had read his son’s face correctly and offered him a tumbler of basilisk to calm his spirits. The alcohol went down smooth, burning along the back his throat. Zorander quickly refilled the glass before sitting with his drink in his hand.
“What’s going on, Drayce. You look worried.”
Swirling the amber liquid within the beveled glass, Drayce couldn’t find a perfect way to lead into this conversation; he just plunged forward with a devil may care attitude. “Satin approached me with some concern yesterday, and upon inspection, I’ve confirmed that she not only has a dragon patch on her right shoulder, but she also has the budding of a tail as well—a blue one matching her to Azure.”
“Holy fuck! She is a Warlord and now a Commander as well?” The older man shook his head, running his hand through his long, aging white hair. “We’ll have three Warlords and Commanders—in one house!”
“Yes. It appears that the girl is psychic as well, she said she always felt that someday she’d be a Dragon Warlord. This from a slip of a girl who didn’t even grow up on Trexotera.” Drayce shook his head in dismay. “Her parents must have thought she’d lost her mind.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure of that assumption. I think Alistair Tempest took his daughter’s declaration very seriously, which is why he did his damndest to pair you with Thistle, instead of Satin.”
Narrowing his gaze at his father, confused, Drayce questioned, “Well, if that’s the case, what would his motive have been for keeping her on Zelora, where there are no dragons at all?”
Shaking his head, the older man got up to refill his glass with more basilisk. Zorander shook his head, pointing his long index finger from around the glass toward Drayce. “See, son, that’s where you’re not thinking devious enough. See, the King of Zelora may not have any dragons on his planet—yet. During the battle, he would plan to capture as many dragons and Warlords as possible, and then he could sanction his daughter as Dragon Warlord, starting his army with his daughter commanding them all -- Princess of Zelora, Dragon Warlord.”
“Holy shit! You’re right; I didn’t think of that. How…how does a father do this with his daughter? So even though he knew she’d be happier with me, he’d rather she continued single and lonely with no husband, as long as he could have her head his dragon army for Zelora?” He shook his head again. “I just can’t imagine ever doing that to a daughter.”
“You and me both. My purpose for keeping you and Satin apart was because I foresaw the two of you butting heads—often. It’s difficult enough being Commander, trust me, but to have an independent, sassy wife will make the job that much more difficult. And, now? Now that I know she’s a Dragon Warlord as well as a Commander of the Dragon Army, I fear there will be many situations where the two of you will clash horribly.”
“I’ve warned her that, as a couple, I’ll demand her obedience and respect. She’ll answer to and take her marching orders from me.”
Zorander chuckled. “See how that works for you, son. I fear you’ll find, as most of us do in marriage, that there is only so much control we can have. Many days we can’t prevent them from defying, but can only correct them after the fact.”
Drayce thought about the few situations that had arisen in the short time he’d been married and he had to admit that he hadn’t been proactive at all. “Well, dammit, I’m going to do my best to make sure we have the rules covered and detailed plans put in place before any battles. She isn’t going to wear me out…and I can’t lose her.”
“Can I remind you later that you swore to this?”
Drayce glared in his father’s direction. “Yes, you may, because I’m not backing down on this, Father. She’s going to toe the line with me, or else.”
“I hate to be the devil’s advocate here, but how do you plan to control her once she’s sitting astride Azure—her dragon?
Drayce abruptly stood, pacing in front of the chairs. “I’ll have consequences laid out before her; she’ll know the penalty for defying my directives ahead of time.”
His father nodded solemnly. “Okay.” His father didn’t respond any further for a moment, then lifting his gaze he said, “But if she decides that she has a tactic and knows the capabilities of her dragon, she may very well decide to move forward with her plans. And, to be honest, she may very well have a tactical strategy that will win the battle for us. As evidenced by her tail and dragon patch, she has the gift, and her intelligence and courage will make her a force to be reckoned with, Commander Quinn.” Zorander quirked an eyebrow his way.
Dammit!
“My point is, Drayce, you can institute all the fail-safes you want and bark out your orders, but upon the battlefield, she’ll instinctively do what is required to win the war—which is what we all desire. Right?”
Drayce flopped into his chair, and with his elbows on his knees, he buried his face in his hands before mumbling, “I just want to keep her safe.”
Rubbing his son’s back, Zorander didn’t answer for a while. “It’ll not be easy for you, Drayce, but you must give her the ability to perform in her new role. The dragons and the Gods of Alpheas have confidence in her; you must also.
Knowing his father was right, and yet doing the right thing was another story entirely. Drayce wanted nothing more than to cocoon his wife in his arms or lock her away in their bedroom, keeping her from danger.
“You’re right, of course, Father. I’ll do my best to honor the wisdom of the Gods, but it’ll take some finagling and struggle, no doubt. I’m not sure how I’ll find a balance, but we’ll get there over time.”
“I have no doubt. My next question—is there a chance that she’s pregnant?”
Drayce blinked at the older man, fear gripping his heart. “There’s always a chance, but I don’t think so.”
“Have you seen her bleed yet?”
“I haven’t. But, I haven’t been looking for evidence of it, either.”
Running his hand over his face, Zorander looked at him with his eyebrows knit. “The reason I ask is her dragon—as well as the others—will be overprotective of her, they’ll more than likely know if she’s pregnant before the two of you will.”
“Could this be a problem for battle?”
“Not per se, but the beasts will protect her to the point of sacrificing another rider or themselves to keep her offspring safe. If she is, or you think she may be, you’ll need to inform the army. Azure or Scarlett won’t hesitate to protect your baby. Am I clear enough?”
“Yes, Sir.” He’d need to have a serious discussion with his wife when he got back to their suite. There were more issues involved with her new role than he’d anticipated.
But, until the war was imminent, he’d hope against hope that maybe they could come to an agreement with Alistair Tempest avoiding any battles. He’d not tell her about the possible conflict, wanting nothing more than to protect his girl. Would she be angry? It was a possibility, and one he was willing to take, to protect her emotions.
Satin would continue to train with Azure, the two had bonded very well, and the dragon seemed enthralled with her. It wasn’t surprising after all since that first day when the dragon licked her shoulder and face…there would be more to their relationship. The dragon saw promise in Satin and knew her gifting better than anyone else on the planet.
It seemed that the blue dragon could read Satin’s mind, knowing what direction he should walk or commands before they were spoken, it was a relationship similar to Drayce and Scarlett. No wonder Azure had reacted so harshly to Tawny coming close to Satin that first day in the barn. Azure saw Satin as his partner and Warlord. People underestimated the bond that Warlords had with their animals.
Drayce shook his head, hating that he couldn’t be more open with Satin about the battle with her father and home planet Zelora.
Couldn’t or wouldn’t asshole?
Wouldn’t…he wouldn’t hurt her until absolutely necessary. Until then he’d hope against all hope that a resolution would occur.