Chapter 12
It was surprisingly hard for Brad to stand still and not fidget or pace. But he was painfully aware of the politicians and police, not to mention the two reporters with video cameras, standing behind him.
“They’ll speak to us,” he told the others. He didn’t elaborate.
Surprisingly, the others didn’t press him for information. Just waited, scanning the trees, and the sky, and even the cliff.
Nothing seemed to be happening for a very long time. Brad was almost considering asking Lyrian if she was still coming. But he knew she would be. She had said she would. They just needed to be patient.
With his mind finely tuned to Lyrian’s presence, Brad was the first to notice the fluttering of blue wings against the cliff as Lyrian left the lair and flew down to the clearing.
A few gasps echoed around the space as the others noticed her, and the gold and purple dragons that followed her. A young woman rode astride Lyrian, her silver hair flowing down her back. Brad recognised her brothers but wasn’t sure who the woman with silver hair was. He was sure he hadn’t seen her before.
As the three dragons landed in front of him, Brad wondered if the woman who slid off her back was here to talk for them. While dragons could speak into human minds, that would make for very boring television.
Lyrian inclined her head at the group, then in front of their eyes, she began to transform back into her human form.
Brad winced, knowing what was coming next. He wasn’t so keen on the idea of a naked Lyrian on video, even if they probably would blur it out. Could they do that if they were streaming live?
But before her transformation was completed, Taurian and Verrian stepped in front of her and raised their wings to block her from the humans standing gaping. She was hidden for only a few moments, before they dropped their wings, but in that time she’d managed to dress quickly.
Now she stood in front of them, her blue curls bouncing around her face, dressed in the pink t-shirt and denim overalls she’d worn when he’d first met her. Unexpected tears pricked at his eyes at the sight. He only hoped it helped everyone watching this to relate to her as he had.
“I am Lyrian, Princess of Rian clan,” Lyrian said, her voice slightly louder than was natural. “And these are my brothers, Prince Taurian and Prince Verrian,” she waved to the two dragons, who still stood one to each side of her, as though guarding her. Then she turned to the human woman, “And my sister, Princess Sarian. Together we rule Rian clan. I hear you wish to speak with us?”
Brad spared a glance at the woman. So this was the one Ultrima wanted. She was beautiful, sure, but in his eyes, Lyrian was by far the more beautiful. Obviously something about the woman attracted the Trima leader though.
The director general took half a step forwards, as though intending to offer his hand to Lyrian, but one glance at her brothers, even though they hadn’t moved, encouraged him to keep his distance. “I’m pleased to meet you, Princess Lyrian. I’m James Nyles, Director General of Security.”
Lyrian and her sister both inclined their heads.
“What is it you wish to discuss with us, James Nyles?” Sarian said, stepping up next to Lyrian.
She wore the traditional dragon clothing, a pale white, leather tunic, engraved with storm clouds and lightning bolts. Her expression was slightly severe, her voice firm and unyielding. The perfect foil to Lyrian’s cheerful, open friendliness.
Hopefully people would be able to see that these dragons were individuals, as much as humans were. And that they had a lot in common.
Hopefully they could work something out here, something that would protect the dragons, and allow them to continue in peace.
“We need to discuss where dragons fit into this world, and how we are going to keep peaceful relations between our two peoples,” the director-general said firmly. “We didn’t expect to ever meet another sentient species, but we want to make sure our dealings with you are above reproach, while still making sure all humans in this country are safe, and not in danger of being attacked by a dragon, or having their livestock stolen.”
Both Lyrian and Sarian inclined their heads.
“We wish that as well,” Lyrian said softly. “Dragons have no wish to harm humans, we only wish to live together in peace. In fact, some of us are rather fond of certain humans.”
She gave him a smile then, not even bothering to hide it from the camera. Brad was sure his answering smile was just as wide.
“As a gesture of goodwill,” Sarian said firmly, “I ask that you return my sister’s mate and his brother to our clan.”
The director-general looked over at Brad and Nate, then back to Sarian. “Of course.” He waved a finger at Brad and Nate, and Brad didn’t waste one second in hurrying across to stand next to Lyrian.
What he wanted to do was pull her into his arms and kiss her like he’d never stop, but he didn’t want to make that much of a show for the cameras. Her hand reached out for his and he took it. The contact made it easier to hold back from a bigger display of affection.
“I ask that in the spirit of this new friendship, you grant us a favour as well,” the director-general said. “Until our negotiations are complete, we need to keep your clan separate from the humans, as much for your own safety as for ours. Would you permit us to leave a group of men here to ensure that things remain peaceful until we have concluded our negotiations?”
Sarian and Lyrian exchanged glances, and Brad had no doubt they were conferring. Probably Taurian and Verrian as well. The rest of the humans had no idea, as far as he knew.
“That is acceptable,” Sarian said. “So long as our human members are still allowed to come and go as they please.”
The man frowned. “How would we know if someone leaving was a human, or a dragon in human form? The likeness is… very convincing.”
“Use your ID that you humans are so fond of,” Lyrian said with a smile.
The director-general exchanged a look with the two other men, but they couldn’t confer like the dragons could. He turned back to Sarian. “That is allowable, but they need to be aware that when they are not here at the lair, they will be subject to all the normal laws and rules that apply to humans.”
He looked at Brad as he spoke, as though specifically referring to him.
Brad gave him a wide, innocent smile. He had no intention of leaving the lair at all for quite some time. He was looking forward to a good, long catch up with his mate.
“That is acceptable,” Sarian agreed.
“Good,” the director-general said. “I would like to propose an official meeting to discuss the details with both clans present. I feel that this should be a joint effort, since any decisions we make will be applicable to all dragons.”
Sarian and her sister exchanged glances, and Brad could almost see the thoughts flashing back and forth between them.
He had no idea what had passed since she woke, it must have happened while he was gone. Was she in love with Ultrima, as Latrima had insinuated, or was the Trima dragon still their mortal enemy? If he was, a meeting with them all in the same room could get quite… tense.
The humans didn’t know what they were getting into.
But Sarian turned back to the human and said calmly. “That is acceptable. When?”
“There’s no point in delaying,” the director-general said firmly. “I propose two days from now, at the town hall in Mungaloo. To keep things as safe as possible for all the humans involved, I will allow only two dragons from each clan, and as many humans as you like.”
Sarian nodded. “I accept your terms.”
The director-general nodded. “Good, good. We shall see you then. I shall arrange for some guards around the lair.”
He turned and walked back towards his car.
The cameras focused on the dragon group for just a few moments longer, as though reluctant to leave the best news they’d had… well… ever.
Brad hesitated, but what better way to make sure anyone watching knew the dragons were as human as they were.
He pulled Lyrian into his arms, and stared down at her, unable to keep the happy smile off his face. “I love you, Princess Lyrian.”
Her eyes filled with tears. She seemed oblivious to the camera still pointed at them. “I love you too, Brad.”
And he bent and kissed her.