“What do the mere think of us?”
Laird’s head jerked up in surprise. Few dragons had ever asked him that question. None had ever wanted an honest answer. Kai waited eagerly for Laird’s response, and the pale dragon weighed his words heavily.
“Well, every mere is different. Also, each habitat has its own unique history.”
Kai’s brows knit together. “Yes, I see your point. The mere lack centralized government or a standard system of education. Therefore their ideas would be less homogenous than the dragons’.”
“Not all dragons share the same ideas about mere either.” Laird tried to keep his tone even. Dragon soldiers who spoke out in support of mere rights tended to get shuffled to low-status positions or meet with mysterious accidents.
“No, you are correct. There are varying opinions even within the council’s ranks. But, some prejudices must be common.”
Laird looked closely at his commander’s face and saw nothing but honest interest, and maybe a hint of guilt. Though he knew it could risk his career to speak freely, he stood. “Let us go have a drink together, General.”
Kai rose and donned a coat. To Laird’s surprise the black dragon’s face broke into a smile.
* * * *
Curls of steam left their nostrils. Ice crunched under their feet. As they approached town, the pale dragon began. “So, how many habitats have you visited?”
Kai replied quickly. “Three including this one, though I spent only a few days in the others.”
Laird didn’t respond for several paces. “And what did you expect from the mere when you arrived?”
“I expect to be treated with respect, to be welcomed.” His voice rose, though he wasn’t sure if it was in passion or in self-defense.
Coming up to the door of a small tavern, they paused their conversation to remove coats and find a seat near the back. Kai noted the quieter music and more subdued atmosphere compared to the bar Alara’s soldiers frequented.
Despite the soothing surroundings, Kai colored at discussing this issue in such a public place.
Laird leaned in and spoke. “Don’t worry about being overheard. In places like this mere play music which interferes with their hearing.” Kai gave him a questioning look. “They can still hear, just not far away like they normally can. It’s the frequency. It stops long range sound transmission.”
Kai’s shoulders lowered as he calmed. “Yes, I’ve heard that mere have exceptional hearing. They use it to navigate underwater, correct?”
Laird nodded to him appreciatively “Yes. And during dragon occupation of some areas, the Council sent out sound waves underwater blocking mere hearing in order to keep the populations trapped close to land.”
A wave of anger tackled Kai. “That’s a lie! The Council would have never issued such an order.”
Laird didn’t respond to the accusation, just shrugged. “Believe what you want.”
A waitress approached to take their order. Her heavily-teased golden hair hung to her waist, and when her eyes fell on Laird they widened.
The pale dragon stammered. “Um. Yeah. Hi…”
The waitress’ face tightened. “Natalia, you jerk. My name is Natalia.”
Laird seemed to shrink in his seat as the waitress glared at him. “Yeah, Hi, Natalia. This is Kai.”
“I know who he is.” Natalia practically bit Laird’s head off.
“What do you want to drink, oh mighty dragons?” The waitress tapped her foot, clearly wanting to leave. The dragons gave their response, and she departed. Laird pinched his forehead between his thumb and forefinger and then rubbed his eyes.
Kai knew not how to offer condolence over female problems so he settled for the only reassurance he understood. “I will stay silent.”
“Thank you, Kai.” Laird set his jaw in resignation. “And to answer your question, some mere are friendly enough toward dragons, but the vast majority think we are arrogant, self-interested, prejudiced, and cruel. And you know what? For the most part, they’re right.”
Kai watched as the dragon he now called a friend stood up and walked out. When the waitress returned with their drinks, Kai decided to remain and ponder Laird’s statements. Lost in thought, he hadn’t noticed the server still standing by his side.
“He coming back?” Her voice whipped as if she didn’t care, but Kai knew better.
“I don’t know. I don’t think so.” He allowed his tones to soften, to offer sympathy.
She threw her hair back over her shoulder, trying to appear uncaring. “Well all you dragons will be out of here soon enough!”
Kai touched her arm as she turned away. “Why do you say that, little mere?”
She pointed up to a television screen in the corner. Text ran under the picture.
“The triton is stepping down tomorrow. Florian and Alara are going to replace him as ruler, and kick your sorry butts off our island.” Her hair swung as she turned. A chunk of it landed in his mouth. He spit and hissed, eyes still glued to the screen.
Chapter 12
The suit she’d never before worn pulled at the shoulders, and her makeup coated her face like a mask. Alara looked at her mirror and wondered who she saw.
The press conference started in half an hour. After that, a crowning ceremony would name her and Florian co-rulers. She picked at the tray of breakfast on the small table. Through this whole political nightmare, she had not spoken to her father once. Florian kept the triton busy in meetings and discussions with advisors. She regretted having to break his father’s heart without even so much as an “I’m sorry.”
Urgent knocking at the door crashed the pity party, reminding Alara of her motives.
“Alara, I know you are in there. You must speak with me!” Kai had come to her room every few hours since last night. Not once had she let him in.
“Go away, General!”
He didn’t do as she said, instead his low whisper travelled through her door. “Don’t do this. You love your father. You don’t want to do this to him.”
She stalked to the door and opened it a crack. Kai’s hard-angled face met hers. “I will do whatever it takes to protect my island from the likes of you. We will never again be ruled, or protected, by dragons. Our resourced, businesses, and culture are our own.”
“I understand, Alara. I don’t know if I agree, but I understand that you value the autonomy of your people.”
Struck temporarily speechless, she opened the door an inch wider.
Kai reached through to stroke her arm, but she stepped away. “I will speak with the Council Chair, make sure that he understands that Murrough will no longer require our presence once the kidnapped children are found. Just please. Such a rapid change of power at this time could destabilize your country.”
His warm hand stroked her fingertips. Her hand slipped into his, like day falling into night.
A shriek echoed down the hall, followed by a series of rapid shouts. Men and women ran, screaming for paramedics. Alara and Kai dashed down the wide hallway, spearing toward the eye of the storm. A hard stone of dread settled in her stomach. The commotion came from her father’s office.
She shouldered through the attendants surrounding her father. The triton’s head lay flush against his desk. His body sunken and stiff, his lips blue, his eyes glazed and unseeing, the shell of her father filled his space like a scarecrow.
No! No, no, no!
Stumbling, panicking, she approached his throne and table. Her quivering knees hit the floor and Alara laid her head against his lifeless thigh. She shook violently, not believing her eyes, hoping that maybe he could still hear her. “I’m so sorry, Father. I was wrong, I’m so sorry. Please forgive me.”
Heavy hands fell on her shoulders and lifted her away. Some very small part of her registered cameras flashing. Kai’s low voice rumbled in her ear. “You must not do this here.”
Her feet scraped the marble, and Kai practically dragged her back to her room. Images of her father battered her mind—the kindly male who’d raised her without a mother, his crushed face when she’d been found after her kidnapping, his shaking hands as he pulled off the chains…
Tears poured down her cheeks, and wailing cries filled the hallway. A whispered, “Shhhh” in her ear meant the sounds came from her, but Alara had lost all power to control her grief.
At some point, hands jostled her body. Her brother's drew her away from the dragon. She tried to protest, but her knees buckled under her. The dragon squeezed her arm one more time before releasing her to her remaining family.
* * * *
As he took the podium, Florian plastered an expression of concern and determination on his face. It was all he could do not to howl in victory or laugh out loud. Power and influence lay like a bug with its legs cut off in his hand. The people of Murrough Island were lost, worried, scared, and Alara was a weeping mess wracked with guilt.
Perfect timing for Florian to play savior.
“People of Murrough Island, this is the saddest of days.” He spoke in a slow, pounding cadence, like a prayer. It wasn’t what you said at a time like this so much as how you said it. “I loved my father, we all loved my father. The triton ruled well and long, and we will all mourn his passing.
“But fear not, good citizens. Myself and my sister are prepared to step into his role. Though we can never replace my father, we promise to do justice to his legacy.”
A murmur of agreement bubbled up from the journalists and attendants.
“However, my sister needs time to grieve. As such I have agreed to take sole leadership of the island until such time as she feels ready to lead.” Concerned sighs erupted. The newsreel no doubt playing on televisions all over Murrough would answer any questions about whether Alara was fit to rule.
He took the first of the journalist’s questions.
“Prince Florian, part of your argument for removing the triton from power had been that the dragon soldiers should be ejected from Murrough Island. Is that still your position?”
Florian stroked his goatee, pretending he hadn’t rehearsed his reply well in advance. “Until my father’s death has been investigated and the kidnap victims are found, I believe the dragons should remain.” Surprised gasps rose up around him, but he continued. “Circumstances have changed with my father’s death. Princess Alara may not be capable of continuing her duties for some time. I appreciate the dragon soldier’s assistance as the reins of power are transferred.”
Another journalist shouted out. “Are you saying that Alara has stepped down as leader of Murrough’s army?”
Florian savored the answer before he gave it. “For now, yes.”
Shouts followed him as he exited the stage. He could have stood in the spotlight for days, but he had to prepare for his crowning.
* * * *
“How are things going on Murrough Island?” Council Chair Woodard’s human-form face looked expectantly from Kai’s laptop screen. The dragon’s hands shook, his pulse raced. His every instinct screamed for him to go to Alara, to comfort and hold her, to protect her from those who would take advantage. But her brothers surrounded her, insisting that family only participate in the mourning.
“As I mentioned in my last report, the triton was asked to step down. Well, this morning he was found dead.” Kai watched for the Council Chair’s reaction. If anything, Elijah seemed…pleased.
“Well, that certainly works in our favor. The citizens will welcome our involvement for the foreseeable future. Florian will be far more agreeable than his father.” Elijah smiled broadly, like a leer.
Kai felt like a veil lifted from his eyes. “How do you know that Florian will act in a pro-dragon manner?”